Review of Northern Territory Board of Studies and Teacher Registration Board

The Northern Territory Government has accepted all 16 recommendations of the Review of the Northern Territory Board of Studies (NTBOS) and the Teacher Registration Board NT (TRB NT), resulting in the proposed Education Standards and Registration Board Bill 2026.

The review considered the operation and governance of the NTBOS and the TRB NT, and recommendations aim to modernise current practice, create efficiencies and drive stronger regulatory outcomes through improved and streamlined delivery of functions.

The review supports delivery of the Department of Education and Training Strategic Plan 2025–2028 and was informed by targeted stakeholder consultation and national comparative analysis.

Proposed Education Standards and Registration Board Bill 2026

The proposed Education Standards and Registration Board Bill 2026 addresses the recommendations of the review and was introduced in the July 2026 sittings of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly. The Bill is expected to be debated in the Legislative Assembly in late 2026.

This is a significant reform for education in the Northern Territory, bringing together the functions currently exercised by the Teacher Registration Board (TRB) of the Northern Territory and the Northern Territory Board of Studies (NTBOS) into a single statutory body. The proposed new Board will have responsibility for teacher registration and professional conduct, as well as curriculum advisory and certification functions.

For teachers and school staff, it is business as usual. The reforms do not change teacher registration or renewal, child-safety checks, curriculum, or Year 12 certification. There will be no change to the standards and safeguards that underpin teacher registration, including the quality of vetting undertaken to ensure teachers are suitable to work in our schools.

For our schools, the reform is about strengthening the way these important functions are governed and supported. This includes our central priorities of child safety, the quality of teaching and maintaining high professional standards across our education system.

Schools and the sector will also continue to be represented on the new Board as members will be selected based on their skills and expertise. The new Board will have mandatory consultation requirements and can establish committees and appoint industry advisers as required.

Reform themes

  • establishing a new amalgamated statutory board
  • strengthening administrative arrangements to support efficient regulatory delivery
  • implementing a performance framework with clear accountability and reporting
  • strengthening governance and assurance in legislation
  • moving to a skills-based model for board appointments, membership and composition.

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