For relief teachers

Find information about relief teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand

Are you interested in relief teaching?

If you don't have a current practising certificate, watch our video and read our brochure linked below for information on how you can become a relief teacher.

Resource for relief teachers without a current practising certificate

Download a copy of our brochure - Relief teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand

Policy change - temporary change to Limited Authority to Teach (LAT) policy

The Teaching Council has also just initiated a temporary change to our policy for Limited Authority to Teach (LAT). The temporary change means that if you are currently registered or were previously registered as a teacher, but don’t have a current practising certificate AND do not want to return to a permanent teaching role, you may be able to apply for a LAT for a fixed period. The policy took effect on 6 September 2024 and you can apply for a LAT under its provisions until 31 December 2024 (our office will be closed from 24 December 2024 but we'll accept any applications that come through to us up until 31 December 2024).

  • You can apply for a LAT for one year, with the option for one re-issue of the LAT - for a further year.
  • You will need to meet all other criteria for obtaining LAT.
  • A principal will need to attest to your specialist skills or skills in short supply.

Are you a teacher with a current practising certificate interested in relief teaching?

If you hold a current practising certificate and are interested in relief teaching, the great news is that you're eligible to work as a reliever. If you need to renew your practising certificate see below to learn what practising certificate is right for you?

What practising certificate is right for you?

You'll need to apply to renew the same practising certificate type that you currently hold or last held.

Our registration team will let you know if a change of category or refresh process is needed, once they've completed an initial assessment of your application.

Applying online

What are the different practising certificate categories?

Tūturu | Full (Category One) - indicates that a teacher is meeting the Ngā Paerewa | Standards. This could be demonstrated by meeting the satisfactory teaching service requirement, or through completion of a teacher refresh process. Satisfactory recent teaching service is at least two years of uninterrupted teaching, or a shorter period as determined by the Teaching Council.

Pūmau | Full (Category Two) - previously known as Subject to Confirmation (STC), indicates that you are an experienced teacher who is likely to meet Ngā Paerewa | Standards. This practising certificate recognises your experience, but also acknowledges that because of your role type, you may not be able to demonstrate that you currently meet Ngā Parewa | Standards, and so are considered ‘likely’ to meet them.

Tōmua | Provisional – indicates that a teacher is meeting Ngā Paerewa | Standards with support, as they are required to complete an induction and mentoring programme before being endorsed as independently meeting Ngā Paerewa | Standards.