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).

The review considered the operation and governance of the NTBOS and the TRB NT, and the opportunity to consolidate their functions within a single, independent statutory board. Recommendations aim to modernise current practice, create efficiencies and drive stronger regulatory outcomes through improved and streamlined delivery of functions.

Central to the reform is the establishment of a new independent statutory board, which will consolidate:

• the curriculum advisory functions currently exercised by the NTBOS under the Education Act 2015
• the teacher regulatory functions currently exercised by the TRB NT under the Teacher Registration (Northern Territory) Act 2004.

The reforms support the Northern Territory's broader regulatory modernisation agenda and will strengthen teaching quality, support child safety and enhance learner outcomes across the education system.

This reform relates to the consolidation of board functions only. Teacher registration renewal timeframes and requirements, including child-safety checks and clearances, remain unchanged. Staff with teaching expertise will continue to be involved in all registration and renewal decisions. The NTBOS Year 12 awards process will continue unchanged throughout the transition.

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.

Review objectives

The review was guided by 4 objectives:

• respond to local needs
• streamline and achieve improved operations
• ensure cost-effectiveness
• support the education system and student outcomes.

Reform themes

The 16 recommendations are organised across 5 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.

Read the review

Download the review of the Northern Territory Board of Studies and Teacher Registration Board PDF (342.9 KB).