Initial accreditation
Accreditation authorises a non-government school in NSW to nominate candidates for the Record of School Achievement and/or the award of the Higher School Certificate.
The main purpose of accreditation is to ensure that the requirements for the Record of School Achievement and/or the Higher School Certificate are being, or will be, met.
Applications for initial accreditation to present candidates for the Record of School Achievement and/or Higher School Certificate are made using the NESA online facility, RANGS Online. Applications must be made no later than 31 March in the calendar year before the year that school intends to commence operation. For information about how to apply please contact the Registration and Accreditation Directorate on telephone 02 9367 8866.
A school that is accredited may provide teaching/learning programs from NESA syllabuses including:
- Board Developed courses
- Board Developed Life Skills courses
- Content Endorsed courses
- Board Endorsed courses
for the purpose of presenting candidates for the Record of School Achievement and/or Higher School Certificate.
To be accredited, a proposed new school must demonstrate that it can meet the requirements for initial accreditation. The Certificate of Initial Accreditation must be displayed in the entrance to main school building or in some other conspicuous place at the school.
It is an offence to conduct or knowingly permit or assist in the conduct of a school for the education of candidates for the Record of School Achievement or the Higher School Certificate if the school is not accredited.