By Natalie Blewitt
Growth Team coordinator

Senior teacher status was developed after it was recognised there was a need to retain competent and experienced teachers in duties directly associated with classroom teaching and learning, and to reward the excellent work and professionalism of experienced classroom teachers who do not wish to move into an administrative role.

The process to become a senior teacher has been streamlined and is now easier than ever.

To be eligible for senior teacher status, you will need to have full registration with the Teacher Registration Board of WA; be a permanent or fixed-term teacher with the Department of Education (DoE); have completed a minimum of 10 full years of contributory service; and have completed relevant professional learning within the last five years.

You can choose one of five options as your pathway to senior teacher status.

Option one: This option requires you to have completed 40 hours of relevant professional learning, which is to have been completed within the last five years. This professional learning must be applied in a school context and align to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

Option two: If you have completed a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or an additional unit(s) in the last
two years to maintain currency in a secondary setting; a unit or course at a university which aligns to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers; or an approved research proposal, then this is the option for you.

Option three: If you have worked for another education provider and can provide evidence that the status you

obtained is comparable to the DoE’s senior teacher status, then option three is your best choice. Senior teacher support will assess applications based on supporting written evidence. Evidence provided needs to include a statement of service that confirms the senior teacher status with another education provider.

Option four: You can apply to become a senior teacher if you have acted as a school administrator in a temporary higher duties role. This includes service with another education provider if you can provide a statement of service from the other education authority. You must have been in the acting role for at least two school terms or for six months.

Option five: You have regressed from a school administrator position to a teaching position within the past five years.

If you are unsure about your length of contributory service, give DoE Payroll Services support a call on 9264 8383 to confirm. For further details about senior teacher status or how to apply, please read the information on IKON.

There is no need to wait until you have reached level 2.9, as teachers may make applications to commence required professional learning within two years prior to reaching the top increment of the automatic progression salary scale.

If you are already at level 2.9, consider selecting one of the options above to obtain your senior teacher status today. If your application is successful, you will be in line for a salary increase, with an additional three per cent per annum increase coming into effect in December 2022.