Education Minister Di Farmer reveals new teachers in line for up to $30k to move to regions

Up to $30,000 will be offered to new teachers in the latest push to fill vacant positions in regional and remote parts of the state.

Education Minister Di Farmer speaks to the media on September 7 about new cash incentives for beginner teachers to move outside the southeast. Picture: Richard Walker

Up to $30,000 will be offered to new and trainee teachers in the latest push to fill a dire shortage of positions in regional and remote parts of the state.

The cash is on top of existing state and federal government incentives such as subsidised or free accommodation, tax incentives, bonuses and extra days off.

Education Minister Di Farmer announced the initiative on Saturday after a schools summit in May with key stakeholders held to thrash out ways to encourage educators to work outside the southeast.

Ms Farmer said a new Teach Queensland Prac Placement Grant of $5000 would support pre-service teachers who did their final year of practical training in the state’s north, far north or in central Queensland.

It would apply from this year, until the end of 2026.

Pre-service teachers who agreed to do their final training in remote areas would receive a grant worth $10,000.

Education Minister Di Farmer announcing the initiatives on Saturday, September 7. Picture: Richard Walker

Graduate teachers who agreed to start their careers in primary, secondary, combined or special schools in central, north or far north Queensland would be eligible for a total of $20,000 over four years.

The payments would be backdated to 2023 and extend to the end of 2026, with $4000 on offer for the first year, $5000 each for the subsequent two years and $6000 for the fourth year.

“We don’t want to bond teachers for four years. They can make a decision at the end of every year,’’ Ms Farmer said.

“But we know that once teachers get out in these areas there is a much greater chance they will stay.

“We estimate about 1500 teachers are likely to take this up.’’

Queensland Teachers' Union president Cresta Richardson. Picture: Richard Walker

However, she said if there was a shortfall any money left over from the $71 million total cost would be allocated to other incentive programs.

“We are also doing plenty to attract teachers to work and live in regional, rural and remote Queensland, where they can not only gain unique and rewarding experiences, but make such a huge difference to young Queenslanders,’’ Ms Farmer said.

Some of those incentives included HECS HELP university fee reductions and scrapping of science as a requirement for primary and early learning teachers.

Queensland Teachers’ Union president Cresta Richardson welcomed the new bonuses.

“We know schools in these regions are experiencing the effect of the teacher shortage crisis and we look forward to continuing to work with the government on attraction and retention incentives for other areas around the state,’’ she said.

Originally published as Education Minister Di Farmer reveals new teachers in line for up to $30k to move to regions