Our approach

We would not be able to lead national education reform without the expertise and support of committed educators from across Australia. We have a consultative approach for all the work we do. For example, the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers were developed in consultation with more than 6,000 educators. 

We have a strong connection with the teaching profession and work closely with teachers, leaders, systems, sectors, regulatory bodies, initial teacher education providers, and principal and other professional associations, to develop policies, tools and resources that support quality teaching and leadership.

Ongoing consultative groups

Some of our regular consultative groups include:

  • School Leadership and Teaching Expert Standing Committee (SLTESC) – comprised of experts representing current classroom teachers, school leaders, teaching and school leadership professional associations, and systems and sectors.
  • Teacher Education Expert Standing Committee (TEESC) – comprised of experts in initial teacher education from across universities and state and territory teacher regulatory bodies.
  • Professional Growth Network – includes nominated representatives from the government and Catholic and Independent sectors in every state and territory, with a focus on supporting teacher growth and development.
  • Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) Advisory Group – HALTs from each state/territory currently offering teacher certification, with a focus on priorities for the national HALT Network.
  • Advisory Group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Education – includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education experts from across the nation. They provide advice on work to support teachers and school leaders to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieve their full potential and are supported to embrace their culture and identity.

These groups provide practical advice and direction from practising experts. Initiatives discussed in these forums are often progressed to the Education Ministers Meeting.

The School Leadership and Teaching Expert Standing Committee (SLTESC) and Teacher Education Expert Standing Committee (TEESC) provide policy advice and support to our Board through the AITSL team. Each committee is governed by terms of reference that set out its purpose, role, responsibilities, composition, structure, and membership. They are each chaired by one of our Directors, who reports to the AITSL Board.

SLTESC provides expert advice and direction to the AITSL Board and Management on matters relating to teaching and school leadership, drawing on knowledge of identified enablers and barriers relevant to AITSL’s remit, to maximise impact on student learning and evidence-based practice to achieve excellence. SLTESC Members also help to quality assure work to improve development of policies, resources, and other AITSL-led initiatives that support teachers and school leaders.

TEESC provides the AITSL Board and Management with expert advice and direction on current issues and changing practice in initial teacher education and the relationship between initial teacher education and the needs of the teacher workforce as well as AITSL’s role in supporting national consistency of the accreditation process. TEESC Members also support processes to improve the rigour of the accreditation process, including providing evidence of the relationship between teacher education and student learning, and advise on, and help quality assure, the development of resources to support initial teacher education.

Our thanks go to the members of all our advisory groups, network groups and stakeholder forums, including those listed above, who commit time and effort to helping us make sure that the work we do has the greatest impact on quality teaching and leadership.