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Accreditation to Teach and to Teach Religious Education or Lead in Catholic Schools in Victoria
Teachers and leaders in Catholic schools play an essential part in seeking to ensure students experience a quality education and are supported to develop their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith and tradition, and to encounter God. They must know confidently where the Church comes from and where Catholicism stands as a faith tradition, and their place within it.
This policy aims to ensure key staff entering and continuing service in Victorian Catholic schools develop the knowledge and skills to support authentic witness in Victorian Catholic schools.
View the accreditation policy.
For teachers currently working within Catholic education, please refer to the CEVN website for further information and resources.
School staff requiring accreditation
All ongoing teaching staff in a Victorian Catholic school are required to have or be working toward Level 1 accreditation.
All ongoing teaching staff who teach Religious Education in a Victorian Catholic school are required to have or be working toward Level 2 accreditation.
All staff who hold a substantive position as Principal, Deputy Principal, any position with Principal Adjunct in the title, or leaders with responsibility for Religious Education, Catholic Identity and Mission (by whatever title) in a Victorian Catholic school are required to have or be working toward Level 2 accreditation.
Accreditation must be gained within 5 years of commencement of ongoing employment, unless otherwise determined by school proprietors.
Non-teaching staff employed in Catholic education are also encouraged to undertake professional learning, development and formation consistent with the standards.
Accreditation standards
Accreditation standards seek to provide appropriate, supportive, yet rigorous pathways for the ongoing professional learning and formation of staff.
Level 1 accreditation:
- is gained by undertaking at least 25 hours of accreditable professional learning, with a minimum of 5 hours in each accreditation category
- is maintained by undertaking at least 25 hours of accreditable professional learning over a 5-year period, with a minimum of 5 hours in each accreditation category.
Level 2 accreditation:
- is gained by formal assessed tertiary study with a minimum of 4 units in Religious Education, Theology or Catholic leadership, or successful completion of an approved non-credentialed course. A minimum of 10 hours in each accreditation category is required.
- is maintained by undertaking at least 50 hours over 5 years, with a minimum of 10 hours in each accreditation category.
Accreditation categories
The following categories apply to gaining and maintaining Accreditation to Teach in a Catholic School, and maintaining Accreditation to Teach Religious Education or Lead in a Catholic School:
- the aims and objectives of the Catholic school
- Catholic curriculum, Religious Education and faith development
- Catholic identity, culture, tradition and theology (including prayer, liturgy, Scripture and Catholic social teaching).
MACS Accreditation Courses
MACS offers a range of Sponsored Study courses to eligible staff in schools across the Archdiocese of Melbourne by providing financial support to successful applicants to undertake accredited courses offered by external institutions.
A range of courses are sponsored to support teachers seeking to Gain Accreditation to Teach Religious Education or Lead in a Catholic School. Once a teacher commences ongoing employment, they are welcome to apply for Sponsorship with the support of their Principal.
Teachers Applying for Accreditation
- If you are a teacher not presently working in the Catholic system and you wish to apply for Accreditation, please contact accreditationenquiries@macs.vic.edu.au.
- If you are a teacher working in the Catholic system and wish to apply for Accreditation, please apply through the following link:
External Providers Applying for Professional Learning Approval
- If you are an External Provider applying to have your Professional Learning approved for Accreditation purposes, please click in the following link
For enquiries regarding accreditation, please contact: