On 25 November 2011 the Australian Government announced how the Rewards for Great Teachers initiative will operate. The program will recognise the best teachers in Australia through a reward payment scheme linked to the National Professional Standards for Teachers.
Under the Rewards for Great Teachers initiative, teachers who become certified at the highest level of the standards will be rewarded with $7500 for Highly Accomplished teachers and $10,000 for teachers who achieve the Lead Teacher level.
In line with the Government’s election commitment, the first reward payments will be delivered in 2014 for teachers who have been assessed against the standards in 2013.
A new national teacher performance and development framework will also be developed and introduced in schools across Australia from 2013. The framework will support all teachers to receive regular and constructive feedback on their performance each year, as well as opportunities for further professional development. Funding for the initiative will increase over time as more teachers are assessed, and as the standards and new performance framework are implemented in schools and school systems.
The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) will work closely with all stakeholders during 2012 to develop the new framework, as well as the certification process for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers.
Further information is included in the Rewards for Great Teachers factsheet.