Teachers in Australia will have to undergo annual performance assessments under an agreement reached by the education ministers at state and federal level.
Federal education minister Peter Garrett said a ministerial council had approved a national framework for assessments.
Mr Garrett said it will be up to the states and territories to decide when the process begins.
Under the scheme, parents will be given an opportunity to review the performance of their child's teacher.
Mr Garrett said feedback from students will be taken into account as well.
''This will be the first time that teachers will have the opportunity for this assessment to take place as a matter of course,'' he said.
''This is an important step, one which we've long believed was necessary.
''I think (this) should provide great confidence from parents and from the school community that teachers have an opportunity - each and every one - to have a form of assessment.''
Mr Garrett said the programme will give teachers the feedback necessary for them to consider how they are progressing.
''It's one which offers them the opportunity where they might want to improve their practice, look at some of the things they're doing and do them better or maybe even get some additional professional development to assist,'' he said.
