In NSW, there are not enough casual teachers. Agencies that provide them are depleted almost daily, leaving schools to split up classes. The shortage isn't due to an increase in illness – it's due to an increase in workload. I rarely cover a teacher who is sick. I work every day covering teachers who are writing reports, entering and analysing data and undertaking onerous accreditation activities.
And yet NESA suggests casual teachers approach a random school and request ongoing support to complete accreditation.

I'm not sure NESA knows how casual teaching works: a casual is engaged to fulfil a labour deficit and has no job security, no contractual protections, no sick leave, no RFF, no support, and so on. There is no legal mandate for schools to stretch their time, resources, and budgets to guide casuals through the convoluted accreditation process.

The "red tape Olympics" haunting teachers will never improve standards. Instead of reflecting on why teachers are not paying the fee, NESA has resorted to arm-twisting. Its reasoning for the fee and process does not withstand the pub test and much less the staffroom test. After all, teachers are workers – not charities.

NESA's response: This year is the first time we have completed our regular audit of current records for the entire teaching workforce. It is expected that many of [the teachers who have not paid] no longer require accreditation as they are no longer teaching in NSW, but have not updated their record with NESA.

The legal requirement for teachers to be accredited ensures that every student in every school across NSW is being taught by a qualified teacher, who has a working with children check clearance, meets national teaching standards and regularly completes professional learning.

Dan Hogan is a writer and teacher from San Remo.