Teacher registration is a must

By Natalie Blewitt Growth Team coordinator

If you want to teach in a Western Australian education venue, you need to be registered with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA). The TRBWA is the body responsible for the registration of teachers, from early childhood to Year 12.

The TRBWA is also responsible for the accreditation of initial teacher education programs in WA. It is vitally important you know when your registration will end. For many of you, this will be happening within the coming months.

Don’t wait until the day before your registration expires as you may find yourself unregistered and being faced with the arduous task of having to begin the registration process from scratch. If your current registration expires, your name will be removed from the Register of Teachers and you will no longer be able to teach in an educational venue in WA until you are granted teacher registration status again. It is critical you submit your online renewal at least 28 days prior to your registration end date. By doing so, you will continue to be registered until the application is finalised. The application date is deemed to be the date the signed and completed application is received by the TRBWA. The process to renew your registration may have changed since you last completed your renewal. Log in at trb.wa.gov.au and locate the online forms tab.

Then click on the tab application for renewal of full registration. This page will look different and will require you to enter information and upload relevant supporting documentation. You will find a checklist down the left-hand side of the renewal page. All sections of the checklist must be completed before the online form can be submitted. As you complete each section, a green tick will appear in the box. When all icons are green, you will be able to complete the declaration question and submit your online form. It is possible to commence parts of your online form and return at a later stage. Once all 15 sections are completed, there are two final steps, the verification of identity by an authorised third party and the applicant declaration.

These check boxes will only appear once all other sections have been completed. To verify your identity, you will need to have an authorised third party certify your original documents. A list of authorised witnesses can be located at this stage. Teachers employed on a permanent full-time or part-time basis at a school or tertiary education institution are on the list, so many of your colleagues will be able to complete this section for you. Once your verification document has been uploaded, you will then see the applicant declaration check box.

Here, you are verifying that all information entered is accurate and your application form will then be locked. A payment of $53 is then required. Your online form will not be submitted until payment is received. Most applications are finalised within 10 weeks. Processing times may also be longer depending on the completeness and accuracy of the documentation and information supplied, the complexity of the application and the time it takes for the results of the criminal record check to be returned to the TRBWA.

It is also important to note that the TRBWA will be upgrading their systems in December 2021. To avoid potential delays in finalising applications during the changeover period, the TRBWA recommends that all applications are completed and submitted as soon as possible. The TRBWA will have a new email address from late December 2021. They will provide further advice closer to the date. Remember, it is the responsibility of each teacher to maintain their registration. If you let your registration lapse, there is every chance your name will be removed from the Register of Teachers, and this will mean you will no longer be able to teach in an education venue in Western Australia until your status is reinstated. Don’t wait – check your renewal date, ensure you are at least 28 days from that date and submit your paperwork online. If you have any questions or problems along the way, contact the TRBWA as soon as possible on 9223 9100 (country callers: 1300 652 911) or email: info@trb.wa.gov.au (email current at time of publication).