Introduction to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST)
The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) are the foundation of quality education in Australia. Developed by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), these standards articulate the knowledge, skills, and professional engagement required of teachers across all career stages, from graduate teachers to lead teachers.
The APST provide a clear framework for teacher accreditation, guide professional development, and support career progression. They ensure consistency in teaching quality across Australia, facilitating teacher mobility and fostering professional dialogue. Whether you're exploring teaching careers in Australia or seeking to advance, the APST are your roadmap to success.
This guide delves into the structure of the AITSL Standards, their career stages, and their practical applications, helping you navigate your teaching journey and find opportunities on platforms like TeachingJobs.com.au.
What are the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST)?
The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) consist of seven standards organized into three domains of teaching, providing a comprehensive framework for quality education:
Professional Knowledge
- Standard 1: Know students and how they learn.
- Standard 2: Know the content and how to teach it.
Professional Practice
- Standard 3: Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning.
- Standard 4: Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments.
- Standard 5: Assess, provide feedback, and report on student learning.
Professional Engagement
- Standard 6: Engage in professional learning.
- Standard 7: Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers, and the community.
Each standard includes specific descriptors detailing what teachers must demonstrate. For a comprehensive overview, download the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers PDF from the AITSL website.
The Four Career Stages of the APST
The APST outline four career stages to reflect the professional growth of teachers:
Graduate Teacher
The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers graduate level set expectations for beginning teachers. These standards ensure foundational skills for independent teaching and are required for provisional registration. Learn about starting salaries in our Graduate Teacher Salary guide.
Proficient Teacher
Proficient Teachers demonstrate consistent, effective teaching, meeting all standards independently. This stage is required for full registration and represents the majority of experienced educators.
Highly Accomplished Teacher (HAT)
Highly Accomplished Teachers exhibit exemplary practice, mentoring colleagues and enhancing student outcomes. Achieving HAT status involves rigorous assessment and can lead to higher teacher salaries.
Lead Teacher
Lead Teachers drive school-wide and system-wide improvements, influencing beyond their classrooms. This stage often correlates with leadership roles and elevated salary levels.
Why the APST are Important for Your Teaching Career
The AITSL Standards are critical for every teacher’s career, providing a framework for growth and recognition:
- Guiding Practice: The APST set clear expectations for quality teaching, shaping daily classroom practice.
- Teacher Accreditation: Meeting the standards is essential for obtaining and maintaining registration with bodies like NESA in NSW.
- Professional Development: The standards guide teachers in identifying areas for growth and selecting relevant teacher professional development opportunities.
- Career Progression: Advancing through APST stages unlocks higher teacher salaries and leadership roles, relevant for high school, primary, and early childhood educators.
- Professional Dialogue: The APST provide a shared language for discussing teaching quality.
- Teacher Mobility: As national standards, they enable seamless transitions across Australian states and territories.
Using the APST for Professional Development and Goal Setting
The APST are a powerful tool for teacher professional development and goal setting:
Self-Reflection
Reflect on your practice against the APST descriptors to identify strengths and areas for improvement, guiding your professional growth.
Setting Goals
Set SMART goals aligned with specific APST standards to advance your practice and progress toward the next career stage.
Documenting Practice
Build a portfolio with lesson plans, student work, and professional learning records to demonstrate compliance with the APST, especially for accreditation.
Professional Learning
Choose professional development opportunities that align with your APST-based goals, such as workshops or courses, to enhance your teaching practice.
APST and Teacher Accreditation
The APST underpin teacher accreditation across Australia, administered by state authorities like NESA in NSW, where the nesa Australian Professional Standards for Teachers are applied.
- Initial Accreditation: Graduates must meet the Graduate Teacher standards for provisional registration, progressing to Proficient status.
- Maintaining Accreditation: Proficient Teachers maintain registration through ongoing professional learning aligned with the APST.
- Higher Accreditation: Voluntary HAT and Lead Teacher accreditation requires demonstrating exemplary practice against higher standards.
Connecting APST to Teacher Salaries and Progression
Advancing through the APST stages directly impacts teacher salaries and career opportunities:
- Graduate to Proficient: Achieving Proficient status unlocks higher pay bands. See our Graduate Teacher Salary guide.
- HAT and Lead Teachers: These certifications lead to significant salary increases and leadership roles. Explore state-specific guides like NSW and VIC.
- Specialist Roles: Engaging with the APST opens doors to roles like special education or TAFE teaching.
Finding Teaching Jobs Aligned with APST on TeachingJobs.com.au
Leverage your understanding of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers to find rewarding roles on TeachingJobs.com.au. Our platform connects you with education jobs that value APST alignment, from Melbourne to Sydney and beyond.
Master the APST and Elevate Your Career
Use the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers to advance your teaching career in Australia.
FAQs about the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
Answers to common questions about the APST and their role in your career.
What are the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST)?
The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) are a public statement of quality teaching, developed by AITSL. They guide teacher practice, professional development, and teacher accreditation across Australia.
What are the four career stages within the APST?
The APST include Graduate, Proficient, Highly Accomplished, and Lead stages, each reflecting increasing expertise and impact.
How do the APST apply to graduate teachers?
The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers graduate level outline expectations for beginning teachers, guiding provisional registration and early professional development. See our Graduate Teacher Salary guide.
Where can I find the official Australian Professional Standards for Teachers PDF?
Download the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers PDF from AITSL’s website.
How do the APST relate to teacher accreditation in NSW (NESA)?
The nesa Australian Professional Standards for Teachers form the basis for accreditation in NSW, managed by NESA, covering provisional, Proficient, and higher-level certifications.
Can meeting higher APST levels impact my teacher salary?
Yes, achieving HAT or Lead Teacher status often leads to higher teacher salaries. Explore our Teacher Salary Guide, including NSW and VIC specifics.
How can I use the APST for professional development?
Use the APST to reflect on your practice, set SMART goals, document evidence, and select teacher professional development opportunities that align with your career goals and the standards.