Seven domains.
A clear professional standard.
In strategic partnership with the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW, successful IMPA course assessment fulfils five of the seven domains required for accreditation. Full accreditation also requires you to meet the remaining domains and MTA(NSW)’s assessment requirements.
MTA(NSW) ACCREDITATION
Build the teaching.
Develop the evidence.
The course develops and assesses your teaching expertise and professional practice across five MTA accreditation domains.
You bring the remaining two: Grade 8 piano practical and Grade 6 theory or musicianship, or equivalent qualifications. The checklist below distinguishes your course work from these separate musical qualifications.
WHAT TEACHERS NEED TO FULFIL
Your accreditation checklist.
1 / Professional conduct and child safety
Work professionally, meet your child-safety obligations and hold a current Working With Children Check.
Part III covers ethical and child-safe practice. We help you check what is in place and what you still need to organise.
2 / Pedagogical competence
Show that you can plan, sequence, teach and assess learning.
Parts I and II connect how students learn with practical piano pedagogy, repertoire, technique, reading and musicianship.
3 / Teaching practice and experience
Show evidence of what you do in lessons and how you evaluate its effectiveness.
Develop evidence through lesson planning, filmed teaching, reflection and your viva voce. MTA considers the experience requirements for the accreditation level sought.
4 / Business practices and ethics
Run an ethical, professional studio with clear policies and communication.
Part III and your studio policy handbook cover administration, student intake, fees, communication and professional responsibilities.
5 / Professional currency
Keep your knowledge and practice current through continuing professional development.
The core course provides 40 hours of professional learning. Keep records of your learning and follow MTA’s ongoing CPD requirements.
6 / Performance competence
Demonstrate Grade 8 piano or an accepted equivalent.
Your own playing qualification is separate from the pedagogy course. If it is in progress, we can discuss your pathway before you enrol.
7 / Theory and musicianship
Demonstrate Grade 6 theory or musicianship, or an accepted equivalent.
Develop the application of theory, analysis and aural understanding in your teaching. The required qualification or equivalent evidence remains part of your application.
Help new students find you through accreditation.
Accredited teachers are prioritised and elevated in teacher directory results. Parents and students can search for accredited teachers only.
FROM LEARNING TO ACCREDITATION
See what happens next.
1
Check
Identify your qualifications, teaching experience and starting point.
2
Develop
Study the course, apply it in your studio and complete your assessed work.
3
Prepare
Bring together your evidence across all seven domains.
4
Apply
Submit to MTA(NSW), which assesses applications and awards accreditation.
MTA(NSW) makes the accreditation decision independently of IMPA. Course completion does not automatically confer accreditation. MTA accreditation application fees are separate. The self-study option includes one year of MTA membership.
TEACHING DIPLOMAS
Take your course work further.
Much of the teaching, planning, analysis and reflective work you develop here also supports CTMusA and ATMusA preparation. Some of that work can be developed during the course and the one-off ten extra group tutorial hours.
SEE THE DRAFT CTMusA / ATMusA COMPARISON →
A professional pathway starts with better teaching.
Join the founding cohort for ten weeks of live learning, practical teaching and feedback. Starts February 2027, with 30 places.
$400 a month for 12 months, or $4,400 upfront. Including GST.