Sector Update: Teaching Council Fees

Last year, the Post Primary Teachers’ Association brought a legal challenge against the Teaching Council. It challenged the decision to increase the fee for certificate renewal, the shift to annual renewal, and the council’s decision to set up a leadership centre.

The High Court in Wellington has ruled the Teaching Council acted unlawfully when it changed the renewal fee from $220 every three years to $157 every year from February. Justice Churchman said, “I have reached the conclusion that the change to the period of certification was a significant one that produced detriment for a large number of teachers. The teachers had no opportunity for meaningful or indeed any input into the decision.”

The Teaching Council has responded to this decision and accepts the judgment. As a result, the Council will be reviewing their processes and will be consulting on fees and annual certification again. In a recent press release, they commented, “It is our strong belief that the teaching profession is served best by education organisations and agencies working together, so we will continue to work with the Minister, Ministry of Education, the unions and other organisations.”

ANZUK Education has a strong, long term working relationship with the Teaching Council, and we will continue to work with them to support our teachers in gaining registration and certification. Find out more about Getting Certificated with the Teaching Council.