PTC NSW

Outstanding Professional Service Award (OPSA)

In recognition of the voluntary work undertaken by committee members of professional teachers’ associations. The award recognises individual member’s outstanding professional contribution to education in NSW for an extended period of time made through a professional teachers’ association.

This award will be presented by the Professional Teachers Council of New South Wales (PTC NSW).

Nominations open 31 March 2026 and close 12 October 2026.

Recipients of the award for 2026 will be announced on World Teachers Day, Friday 30 October 2026 and will be presented with their award at the PTC NSW IELA Awards Evening on 24 February 2027.

Outstanding Professional Service Award Honour Board

2026 Outstanding Professional Service Award Nomination Form

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Step 1 of 3

Eligibility Criteria for Nomination

1. Eligibility Criteria:

  • To be eligible for consideration the individual nominated should:
  • Have worked in a voluntary capacity;
  • Be a financial or life member of the nominating association;
  • Be serving or have served as an elected or co-opted committee member during the current calendar year;
  • Have made an outstanding contribution to the association’s support of teachers and education in NSW over an extended period of time as:
    • Newsletter or Journal editor,
    • Representative on committee/s,
    • Professional Development coordinator,
    • Award or accreditation coordinator,
    • Website/ICT coordinator.
    • Management of the association
    • Financial management of the association
    • Management of association committees
    • Their contribution to the association’s Journals, Newsletters, Publications, Teaching Resources

2. To be eligible for consideration by the PTC NSW Awards Committee nominations must be:

  • submitted online
  • in recognition of an individual committee member as per the above Eligibility Criteria
  • signed by the association’s current President as nominator and another current Office Bearer as seconder.(In case of the nominee being the current President, or in the absence of the President, a current office bearer of the Association can be the nominator)
  • Your nomination will need to be supported with a written citation (minimum 100 to maximum of 300 words) outlining your reasons for the award.
  • received by the closing date indicated for that year.

3. Incomplete nominations, those without a citation (minimum 100 to maximum 300 words) and, in non-standard format or those received/sent after the dates and times indicated under the heading below Lodgement Steps will not be considered by the PTC NSW Awards Committee. Joint nomination of two people for one award will not be considered. Please submit a separate form for each nominee.

4. The decision of the awards committee will be final.

Closing date Monday 12th October 2026 by 5pm.

1. Lodgement step

Lodge your application form online

2. Acknowledgement of Receipt

The PTC NSW Office will acknowledge the receipt of each application within one week of its receipt. If receipt of your application has not been acknowledged within this timeframe please contact the PTC NSW Office.

3. Successful Nominees

Nominees will be notified by email by 30 October 2026 of the PTC NSW Awards Committee’s decision regarding their nomination.

4. Adherence to Guidelines

Strict adherence to the Guidelines will be applied. Late or incomplete nominations will not be considered by the PTC NSW Awards Committee.

5. Presentation of the Award

Professional Teachers Council NSW Association Service Award recipient will be invited to receive the award at the PTC NSW Awards Evening to be held on 24th February 2027.

Previous recipients of an Outstanding Professional Service Award are NOT eligible to be nominated again.

However unsuccessful nominations for an Outstanding Professional Service Award from previous years are eligible for nomination for the current award.