The Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards (ATAPS) is an evidence-based framework that supports the performance and professional growth of teaching assistants in all Australian schools.

The Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards:

  • are meaningful and relevant to teaching assistants, in all school settings 
  • support the performance and professional growth of teaching assistants
  • contribute to role clarity
  • facilitate teachers and TAs working together more effectively

Read more about the Standards below, or view our resource, Introducing ATAPS: A Professional Growth Framework for Teaching Assistants.

To effectively support student learning and wellbeing, teaching assistants require knowledge of how students learn, how to engage with students and establish positive and respectful relationships, and  how to apply age and developmentally appropriate practice.

Teaching assistants work across many learning areas, and different year levels, and require knowledge of the curriculum relevant to their context, and evidence-based teaching and learning practices that maximise student outcomes.

 
Focus Area 1.1 Understand how students learn.
 
Focus Area 1.2 Engage with students to establish positive and respectful relationships.
 
Focus Area 1.3 Demonstrate understanding of age and developmentally appropriate practice.

 
Focus Area 2.1 Demonstrate knowledge of the curriculum to support learning and teaching.
 
Focus Area 2.2 Demonstrate knowledge of evidence-based strategies to support learning and teaching.

Teaching assistants communicate regularly with teachers and other education professionals, to support and implement planned student learning.

Teaching assistants demonstrate inclusive practices that enable all students to access the curriculum and participate in learning.

They support students to develop independence and manage their own learning, encourage positive behaviour, and support students’ digital literacy capability.

Teaching assistants use agreed assessment methods to monitor student progress, and provide effective feedback to teachers and students.

 
Focus Area 3.1 Communicate with teachers to support planning for student learning and wellbeing.
 
Focus Area 3.2 Implement planned support.
 
Focus Area 3.3 Support learning using planned resources that are authentic, relevant, age, and ability appropriate.

 
Focus Area 4.1 Demonstrate inclusive practices that support student participation and engagement.
 
Focus Area 4.2 Enable students to develop independent learning skills and manage their own learning.
 
Focus Area 4.3 Encourage and support positive student behaviour.
 
Focus Area 4.4 Support students’ digital literacy capability.

 
Focus Area 5.1 Use agreed assessment methods to monitor student progress and provide feedback to teachers.
 
Focus Area 5.2 Demonstrate effective feedback strategies used with students to support learning.

Teaching assistants use the Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards to guide their performance and professional growth.

They are committed to improving their professional knowledge, practice and engagement by planning for professional growth, and engaging in professional learning to achieve their goals.

Teaching assistants understand their role and responsibilities in supporting learning and teaching, comply with legal and ethical obligations, and comply with school policy and procedures. 

 
Focus Area 6.1 Use the Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards to guide your performance and professional growth.
 
Focus Area 6.2 Plan for professional growth.
 
Focus Area 6.3 Engage in professional learning to improve professional knowledge, practice, and engagement.

 
Focus Area 7.1 Comply with legal and ethical obligations in the school environment.
 
Focus Area 7.2 Comply with school policies and follow procedures.
 
Focus Area 7.3 Demonstrate understanding of the teaching assistant role.
 
Focus Area 7.4 Demonstrate professionalism in interactions with colleagues and the school community.