FAQs -Limited Authority to Teach
A Limited Authority to Teach (LAT) is an alternative authorisation under the Teachers Registration Act 2000 and exists at the discretion of the TRB to address a workforce shortage or provide a sustainable pathway toward teacher registration. Before applying for a LAT a school must make every effort to employ an appropriate registered teacher. LAT applications for specialist practitioners may be exempted from the recruitment requirement.
From 1 December 2025, all LATs must be initiated by a school, by applying through the TRB Oline employer portal. A school may apply for a LAT on behalf of an individual at any time
Following a review of the LAT Policy, new LAT categories have been created to provide great clarity and guidance for LAT holders:
LAT – Pre-service Teacher
LAT – Pre-service Teacher (Intern)
LAT – Specialist Practitioner
LAT – Conditional.
The definition, eligibility criteria and workload maximums for each LAT category are summarised in the Summary of LAT Categories, available on the TRB website.
Most LATs will only be approved for up to 12 months from the date of approval (rather than expiring at the end of the school year). A LAT – Specialist Practitioner may be granted for up to two years with an Extension initiated by the employer for the second year. Granting of a LAT by the TRB does not oblige an employer to make an offer of employment and any term of employment is at the discretion of the employer.
The fee for a LAT comprises an application fee and a limited authority fee. Following the grant of an initial LAT, fees are currently waived for any subsequent LAT commencing in the same calendar year.
The workload maximum of 0.6 FTE applies to LAT – Pre-service Teachers and LAT – Conditional only. The workload maximum of a LAT – Pre-service Teacher (Intern) is determined under the relevant program (Teach for Australia or Teacher Intern Placement Program). A LAT – Specialist Practitioner may work up to 1.0 full time equivalent. Please be aware that face to face time must meet the requirements of the Teachers Agreement 2023.
LAT – Pre-service Teacher
The workload maximum of 0.6 FTE for LAT Pre-Service Teacher category LAT holders is based on direct feedback from key stakeholders and is consistent with arrangements in other States and Territories. Workload maximums aim to ensure these LAT holders have sufficient time to manage their work and studies and are an important measure to ensure the success and sustainability of LAT arrangements and the profession.
No. All LAT Pre-service Teachers must adhere to the workload maximum of 0.6FTE until all course requirements are met.
A LAT Pre-service Teacher may have a fixed-term LAT and relief LAT at the same time, subject to the relevant
criteria and within the combined maximum workload of 0.6 FTE. A LAT Pre-service Teacher may not hold a
LAT at more than two schools at any one time.
If your approved fixed-term LAT is for less than 0.6 FTE, the school will need to submit a new LAT application on your behalf on TRB Online for you to undertake relief teaching within the same school during the period of the fixed-term LAT for up to 0.6 FTE combined. If this LAT is not being utilised and you intend to undertake relief at another school, the second school will need to submit a LAT application on your behalf.
No. Under the new policy, individuals are no longer able to apply for Generic Relief LATs. A school may apply on behalf of a person eligible for a LAT – Pre-service Teacher to undertake relief teaching. This change is based on Commission of Inquiry recommendation 6.11 and is supported by key stakeholders.
When applying for a LAT – Pre-service Teacher (fixed term or relief), a school must nominate a mentor for the LAT applicant. A nominated mentor for LAT Pre-service Teacher holder must be an experienced, registered teacher. The nominated mentor is expected to provide oversight and support to the LAT holder The mentor will also provide advice on planning and classroom management.
All applications for LAT – Pre-service Teachers must include a nominated mentor, to be noted in the supporting information text box in the application. The mentor can be from within the school that the LAT holder is employed. Or, the mentor may be a recently retired registered teacher (within five years), or a teacher from another school. A number of LAT holders may share a mentor, to support a positive learning community.
LAT – Specialist Practitioner
Yes, your school will need to apply for a LAT – Specialist Practitioner on your behalf.
Teachers employed in schools who are not eligible for teacher registration or who are not directly supervised must hold a LAT, including those who have previously held a PTT or were considered to be teaching under supervision (based on the past definition). This will include teachers who are employed in a school on a regular basis and who are responsible, even if only sometimes, for an individual, small group or class of students.
Persons who are not employed as a member of the teaching staff of a school (e.g. private tutors) are not within the jurisdiction of the TRB. These arrangements are the responsibility of the school.
No, a LAT – Specialist Practitioner may work up to 1.0 full time equivalent across a number of schools.
No, you will only need to pay the application and LAT fee once in a calendar year. Additional LAT applications and extensions (for a further 12 months) of a LAT – Specialist Practitioner will not require an additional fee. Fees contribute to the cost of processing applications and monitoring of good character and fitness to teach.
No, applications for specialist practitioners who are highly skilled and experienced for specialised subject
areas that are not general curriculum subjects may be exempted from the recruitment requirement.
You can apply for a review of any decision of which you are notified under section 28 of the Act, with the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
For more information
Please visit the LAT page on our website or contact us at trb@trb.tas.gov.au or (03) 6165 5977.