Are you a current Queensland state school teacher based in Metropolitan, South East or North Coast Region that is interested in a move to a rural or remote community?
Express your interest in the Teacher Experience program today.
Rural and remote teaching offers a range of professional, personal and lifestyle
benefits for both new and experienced teachers.
The Rural and Remote Teacher Experience program gives urban Queensland state school teachers considering teaching in a rural or remote state school a 1-week experience that is organised and funded by the department through an expression of interest process.
The program includes a 1-day orientation with the host school, a weekend living in the community and 5 days replacing the host teacher in class.
Queensland state primary and secondary teachers from Metropolitan, South East and North Coast regions have the opportunity to live and teach in a rural or remote location in the Far North Queensland, North Queensland, Central Queensland and Darling Downs South West regions.
Successfully selected participants are matched with hosts in rural or remote schools who teach similar year levels or subjects. This ensures continuity for students and their learning environment. Participants are involved in planning, preparing and delivering effective learning and teaching programs for students in their host class. Host schools provide a local orientation including welcoming participants to the community and an introduction to school priorities, policies and practices.
The program is delivered on dates that are mutually agreed upon by participants, their home school, the host school and region and the Department of Education.
Program benefits
The experience will showcase the benefits of teaching and living in a rural or remote location, highlight opportunities for upcoming vacancies and career progression, and allow participants to develop ongoing professional relationships with their host school. Experiencing rural or remote teaching can provide an invaluable opportunity to broaden teaching practices along with providing enhanced employment opportunities for teachers.
Participating teachers who pursue a transfer to a rural or remote location may enjoy one of the many benefits often afforded to rural and remote teachers, such as:
- greater opportunities to undertake leadership roles
- greater involvement in planning and management within the school
- access to incentives, benefits and locality allowances
- transfer and relocation assistance
- access to employee housing
- accelerated transfer points
- an active and valued role in their community.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply, applicants must be a current Queensland state primary or secondary school teacher located in the North Coast, Metropolitan or South East region. Preference will be given to teachers with a strong desire to pursue a rural or remote teaching or promotional opportunity in the near future. Temporary teachers are encouraged to apply and will be considered if their contract covers the experience period.
Expressions of interest
Express your interest in the Teacher Experience program today. As part of the application process, you will be asked to upload a short approval email from your principal confirming their support for your participation in the program.
Applicants and their principals will be contacted should they be successfully selected, with all applications remaining current until otherwise advised.
More information
Interested teachers can find more information by searching Rural and Remote on OnePortal (Department of Education staff only) or by emailing ruralandremote@qed.qld.gov.au.