Are you looking for the next challenge? Whether you are new to the department or currently working in a metropolitan public school and considering a change, below you will find an overview of the benefits and incentives that may be available with your new position.

To find your next career move in a rural or remote NSW public school sign up to JobFeed.

Sign up for an email alert to be kept up to date with the latest information regarding rural and remote incentives and benefits as it is released.

Rural Teacher Incentive

What is it?

The Rural Teacher Incentive is a financial incentive, between $20,000 to $30,000 gross per annum, to attract and retain permanent and temporary teachers in eligible rural and remote schools.

How do I get it?

At the end of each term, the department will communicate to all teachers who are eligible for the Rural Teacher Incentive and provide information about the incentive payment. No application is necessary.

Temporary teachers require a minimum tenure of a full term of ten consecutive weeks at the eligible school.

Experienced teacher benefit

What is it?

A financial incentive of $10,000 gross per annum for up to five years, to attract and retain experienced permanent and temporary teachers in eligible rural and remote schools.

How do I get it?

If you have held proficient accreditation, or equivalent, for at least six years and you have been appointed to an eligible rural and remote school you may be eligible for the benefit. Temporary teachers require a minimum tenure of a full term or ten consecutive weeks at the eligible school. Sign up to JobFeed to find opportunities.

Retention benefit

What is it?

If you are appointed as a permanent or temporary teacher you may be eligible to receive a $5,000 annual payment for up to 10 years while you remain at an eligible rural and remote school. For more information please view the Retention Benefit Procedure.

How do I get it?

After 12 months or more of continuous service, the benefit will be paid by electronic transfer to your bank account. Benefits are paid in June or November each year.

Recruitment bonus

What is it?

The recruitment bonus is a $20,000 bonus that is available when a teaching role has been difficult to fill. This payment may be made to a successfully appointed candidate (this may be a temporary or permanent appointment). This is only available when this incentive is specifically noted in the advertisement for a position at eligible rural and remote schools.

How do I get it?

If a recruitment bonus is available it will be included in the advertisement on JobFeed or I work for NSW. Eligible teachers will be notified and receive the payment each quarter for the first year subsequent to your appointment. No application is necessary.

Rental subsidy

What is it?

A subsidy of 50% - 90% paid to teachers working in four-point, six-point and eight-point eligible rural and remote schools, to assist with accommodation in areas with a shortage of private rental accommodation.

How do I get it?

Check JobFeed for advertised teaching and executive positions that are eligible for the subsidy. If you are eligible, complete the Teacher Housing Authority’s (THA) online housing application form on the Property NSW website.

Priority transfer of Connected Communities Executive Principal procedure

What is it?

A priority transfer procedure available to experienced executive principals, at a NSW public school, after five years of engagement.

How do I get it?

Eligible Executive Principals should apply to the Director Educational Leadership responsible for the relevant Connected Communities school. Sign up to JobFeed to find opportunities.

Fast track temporary to permanent

What is it?

Temporary teachers who have been employed at an eligible rural and remote school for a minimum of 1 year may be converted to permanent where a permanent position arises at the same school. For further detail refer to Sections 4.2.6 iv) and v) of the Staffing Procedure for the Teaching Service in NSW Public Schools.

How do I get it?

You may be able to access this option, dependent on a number of factors, including whether this is an appropriate vacancy at the school, and it must occur in accordance with the Staffing Procedure for the Teaching Service in NSW Public Schools. You should discuss this option with your school principal.

Rural Experience Program

What is it?

The Rural Experience Program is designed for permanent teachers to apply for a temporary placement at a rural and remote school for between one and four terms within a calendar year. Teachers are supported with a $500 per week allowance for the duration of their placement. Further information can be found in the Rural Experience Program Guidelines.

How do I get it?

You will need to apply for a placement opportunity when they are advertised. Subscribe to our email alert service to be notified when applications open.

These benefits and incentives apply to teachers in teaching positions as defined in the Staffing Procedure: a classroom teacher (including school counsellors, teacher librarians, careers advisers, learning and support teachers and itinerant teachers), as well as executives and principals at eligible rural and remote schools. There may be further eligibility requirements, which can be explored below, and in the procedure documents.

Rural Teacher Incentive

What is it?

From Term 1, 2022, permanent and temporary teachers at eligible rural and remote schools will receive a Rural Teacher Incentive with a value of up to $30,000 gross per annum, dependent on the employing school. Note the value of the package is reduced by the value of any rental subsidy payments where these apply.

How do I get it?

At the end of each term, the department will email teachers who are eligible for the Rural Teacher Incentive and provide information about the incentive payment. No application is necessary, you are required to advise the department how you wish to receive this benefit, and arrange any salary packaging you may wish to undertake. You are also required to notify the department in accordance with the rental subsidy procedure if your rental circumstances change.

Temporary teachers require a minimum of tenure of a full term or ten weeks at the eligible school.

Experienced teacher benefit

What is it?

From Term 1, 2022, teachers who have maintained proficient accreditation status, or equivalent, for at least six years and are currently in a permanent or temporary position at a six-point or eight-point rural and remote incentive school or a four-point, six-point or eight-point incentive Connected Communities school will qualify for a $10,000 gross benefit per annum, payable for up to five years.

How do I get it?

The department will notify teachers who are eligible. Payments are paid quarterly by electronic transfer. No application is necessary.

Temporary teachers require a minimum of tenure of a full term or ten weeks at the eligible school.

Retention benefit

What is it?

Permanent and temporary teachers who have 12 months or more of continuous service at a six-point or eight-point rural and remote incentive school or a four-point, six-point or eight-point incentive Connected Communities school, may be eligible for an annual $5,000 retention benefit payable for up to 10 years. For more information please view the Retention Benefit Procedure.

How do I get it?

After 12 months or more of continuous service, the benefit will be paid directly into your account in approximately June or November each year, depending on when the anniversary of your eligibility falls. No application is necessary.

Recruitment bonus

What is it?

The recruitment bonus is a $20,000 bonus that is available when a teaching role has been difficult to fill. This payment may be made to a successfully appointed candidate (this may be a temporary or permanent appointment). This is only available when this incentive is specifically noted in the advertisement for positions at eligible rural and remote schools.

How do I get it?

If a recruitment bonus is available it will be included in the advertisement on JobFeed or I work for NSW. Eligible teachers will be notified and receive the payment each quarter for the first year subsequent to your appointment. No application is necessary.

Rental subsidy

What is it?

The department provides rental subsidies to those teachers at eligible rural and remote schools who are either living in Teacher Housing Authority (THA) accommodation or who are eligible for THA accommodation and have been unsuccessful and are required to rent privately.

How do I get it?

If you are eligible, complete the Teacher Housing Authority’s (THA) online housing application form on the Property NSW website.

Priority transfer of Connected Communities Executive Principal procedure

What is it?

Executive Principals of Connected Communities schools who remain in their position beyond their initial three-year period of engagement may be eligible for priority transfer to a principal position one level above their pre-executive principal appointment.

How do I get it?

Current Executive Principals will need to speak to their Director and the Director for the school they wish to transfer to. You can apply for a priority transfer by going to ‘My transfers’ in the Employee Self Service (ESS) area of the department's staff portal.

Fast track temporary to permanent

What is it?

Temporary teachers who have been employed at an eligible rural and remote school for a minimum of 1 year may be converted to permanent where a permanent position arises at the same school. For further detail refer to Sections 4.2.6 iv) and v) of the Staffing Procedure for the Teaching Service in NSW Public Schools.

How do I get it?

You may be able to access this option, dependent on a number of factors, including whether this is an appropriate vacancy at the school, and must occur in accordance with the Staffing Procedure for the Teaching Service in NSW Public Schools. You should discuss this option with your school principal.

Rural Experience Program

What is it?

Teachers with two years of cumulative teaching experience are able to apply for one or more Rural Experience Program placements at an identified rural or remote school from one and up to four terms within a calendar year. Teachers are supported with a $500 per week allowance for the duration of their placement. Further information can be found in the Rural Experience Program Guidelines.

How do I get it?

Once a principal has submitted a placement opportunity, teachers may apply. Find out more.

This section is for principals at incentive schools and explains how they can use incentives applicable to their schools to attract and retain quality teachers. For information on how these benefits and incentives apply to you personally, please refer to the ‘I am a rural teacher’ tab.

Rural Teacher Incentive

What is it?

From Term 1, 2022, permanent and temporary teachers at eligible rural and remote schools will receive a Rural Teacher Incentive with a value of up to $30,000 gross per annum, dependent on the employing school. Note the value of the package is reduced by the value of any rental subsidy payments where these apply.

How do I get it?

At the end of each term, the department will email teachers who are eligible for the Rural Teacher Incentive and provide information about the incentive payment. No application is necessary, you are required to advise the department how you wish to receive this benefit, and arrange any salary packaging you may wish to undertake. You are also required to notify the department in accordance with the rental subsidy procedure if your rental circumstances change.

Temporary teachers require a minimum of tenure of a full term or ten weeks at the eligible school.

Experienced teacher benefit

What is it?

From Term 1, 2022, a $10,000 bonus payment to permanent and temporary teachers working at eligible rural and remote schools, who have maintained six years at proficient accreditation level or equivalent.

How do I get it?

This incentive is designed to enable you to attract and retain experienced teachers to your school. Eligible vacant positions will be featured on JobFeed or I work for NSW. If the applicant has proficient status, they will receive notification from the department of their eligibility. Eligible teachers already working at your school will be notified if eligible.

Temporary teachers require a minimum of tenure of a full term or ten weeks at the eligible school.

Retention benefit

What is it?

Permanent and temporary teachers who have 12 months or more of continuous service at a six-point or eight-point rural and remote incentive school or a four-point, six-point or eight-point incentive Connected Communities school, may be eligible for an annual $5,000 retention benefit payable for up to 10 years. For more information please view the Retention Benefit Procedure.

How do I get it?

This incentive will assist to encourage teachers and executive staff to remain at your school. After 12 months or more of continuous service, the benefit will be paid directly into their account in approximately June or November each year, depending on when the anniversary of their eligibility falls. No application is necessary.

Recruitment bonus

What is it?

The recruitment bonus is a $20,000 bonus that is available when a teaching role has been difficult to fill. This payment may be made to a successfully appointed candidate (this may be a temporary or permanent appointment). This is only available when this incentive is specifically noted in the advertisement for a positions at eligible rural and remote schools. Temporary positions of four terms or more are eligible.

How do I get it?

This incentive is designed to help you attract applicants where at least two consecutive attempts to fill the position, including at least one merit selection process, have been unsuccessful. Teacher Recruitment will notify you and offer the opportunity to include the recruitment bonus if the position is to be advertised a third time. The bonus will be included in the advertisement for a position on JobFeed. If you are advertising a temporary role for the third time please notify us by contacting hrpromotions@det.nsw.edu.au.

Rental subsidy

What is it?

A subsidy paid to teachers working in four-point, six-point and eight-point eligible rural and remote schools to assist with accommodation in areas with a shortage of private rental accommodation.

How do I get it?

Eligible staff should complete the Teacher Housing Authority’s (THA) online housing application form on the Property NSW website. Permanent and temporary teaching positions advertised on JobFeed or I work for NSW will have the rental subsidy highlighted in the advertisement.

Priority transfer of Connected Communities Executive Principal procedure

What is it?

Executive Principals of Connected Communities schools who remain in their position beyond their initial three-year period of engagement may be eligible for priority transfer to a principal position one level above their pre-executive principal appointment.

How do I get it?

Current Executive Principals will need to speak to their Director and the Director for the school they wish to transfer to. You can apply for a priority transfer by going to ‘My transfers’ in the Employee Self Service (ESS) area of the department's staff portal.

Fast track temporary to permanent

What is it?

This incentive will enable you to convert one of your temporary teachers who have been employed at your school for a minimum of 1 year to permanent where a permanent position arises. For further detail refer to Sections 4.2.6 iv) and v) of the Staffing Procedure for the Teaching Service in NSW Public Schools.

How do I get it?

You may be able to access this option, dependent on a number of factors, including whether this is an appropriate vacancy at the school, and must occur in accordance with the Staffing Procedure for the Teaching Service in NSW Public Schools. The school cannot take advantage of this benefit if central appointment is involved.

Rural Experience Program

What is it?

Teachers with two years of cumulative teaching experience are able to apply for one or more Rural Experience Program placements at an identified rural or remote school from one and up to four terms within a calendar year. Teachers are supported with a $500 per week allowance for the duration of their placement. Further information can be found in the Rural Experience Program Guidelines.

How do I get it?

Principals of the schools identified as part of the Rural Experience Program will be contacted directly to create a rural experience placement.