NESA will again run Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) assessor training for the Independent sector in Terms 3 and 4. The training involves completion of some self-paced online modules plus a one-day online workshop. The remaining workshops for this year are scheduled for 12 September, 3 November and 18 November 2025.

If you have a quality early childhood, primary or secondary teacher at your school who is interested in being trained as a NESA HALT assessor, you can nominate them now by asking them to complete this online form. Nominations will be forwarded to NESA weekly.

Who would be suitable to be a HALT assessor?

Primary, secondary and early childhood teachers across all KLAs/specialisations, from Independent schools in both metropolitan and regional NSW are needed.

To be eligible to be trained as a HALT assessor or an External Assessor, a teacher needs to:

  • have active accreditation with NESA at Proficient Teacher or above;
  • have relevant expertise and experience; and
  • not be a current applicant for HALT accreditation.

The qualities NESA is looking for in a HALT assessor include experience in the following areas:

  • expertise in a KLA/specialisation
  • in-depth knowledge and understanding of the HALT Standards
  • a demonstrated ability to articulate and identify practice and impact at the HALT levels
  • experience in providing high-quality, written evaluative feedback about teaching practice
  • maintaining confidentiality and declaring conflicts of interest.

What does a HALT assessor do?

The HALT assessment process involves the assessment of two modules of evidence plus a site visit for each HALT application.

The documentation submitted in each module of evidence is assessed by at least two HALT assessors – one assessor from the applicant’s sector and one from another sector. These HALT assessors review an applicant’s evidence against the HALT Standards and provide high-quality written feedback to applicants through a HALT Module Report. The assessment of an applicant’s modules may be done during school time, after hours or during non-term time.

A HALT External Assessor from the applicant’s sector also conducts a site visit to observe three sessions of the applicant’s practice, and has a professional discussion with the applicant and their principal. Site visits are generally conducted in person during school time and may involve travel to and from the school. However, an applicant may request that the site visit be conducted through AV recordings.

What is involved in HALT assessor training?

NESA conducts a HALT assessor training program, which includes:

  • Self-paced online modules (takes approximately 9 hours to complete)
  • One-day training workshop (conducted by NESA online).

How is a HALT assessor’s time covered?

Currently, there is no funding available for casual relief to cover a teacher’s participation in HALT assessor training.

However, NESA provides a number of options to cover the time involved for a school-based HALT assessor to assess applications, including for assessments of modules/site visits:

  • undertaken during school time – the provision for the school to seek reimbursement for casual relief of the teacher,
  • undertaken during the HALT assessor's own time – the option for the HALT assessor to claim direct payment from NESA at a set rate, or to count the hours towards their maintenance of accreditation as a professional commitment activity.

How do I nominate a staff member to become HALT assessor?

To nominate a member of your staff, please provide the teacher’s details and NESA number through this online form.

Nominations will be forwarded to NESA weekly. NESA will then provide a link to register for one of the training dates.

For further information, schools can contact Caraline Cloke Head: Regulation and Accreditation or email [email protected].