- In a win for the regions, new data commissioned by Regional Australia Institute (RAI) shows 83% of metro educators, could be persuaded to make a sea change or treechange.
- In regional Australia, teachers who move for a job could be eligible for cash incentives of up to $50,000 in some states.
- Regional Australia’s Biggest Ever Recruitment Drive is shining a light on the thousands of job opportunities in the education sector in some of the country’s most idyllic locations through the Move to More website.
Mass migration to the regions in recent years has seen an unprecedented jobs boom in our country areas, with tens of thousands of compelling jobs on offer in regional Australia, equating to more than $1.7 billion in untapped wages.
With regional migration showing no sign of slowing down, especially among millennials with young familiesº, there’s a significant need to futureproof and bolster the education workforce in the bush.
In a win for the regions, a new survey of city-based teachers and early educators - commissioned by the Regional Australia Institute - reveals more than two in five (43%) teachers would consider taking a job in the bush, with one in six (16%) saying they’d definitely make the move.
Among those who said they could be persuaded, the factors most likely to convince educators to take a job in regional/rural Australia are a salary increase (77%), receiving a financial incentive like a recruitment bonus, relocation payment or family travel assistance (72%), the cheaper cost of living (59%) and receiving housing support such as a rental subsidy or reduced stamp duty (59%).
Although all Australian states and territories have compelling incentives on offer for teachers wanting to relocate and take up a rural or remote job, more than half of the city-based teachers surveyed (54%) said they were unaware of such incentives.
Regional Australia Institute CEO Liz Ritchie said the regions is a viable solution for teachers and their families looking to escape the rising cost of living.
“State governments are willing to offer attractive cash incentives to teachers interested in taking up regional positions,” Ms Ritchie said.
“For example, a high school teacher interested in moving to Moree in regional New South Wales could earn an extra $45,000 thanks to rural incentives, relocation support payments and retention bonuses.”
“We implore city-based teachers who are interested in moving to the bush, to explore the plethora of job opportunities on offer outside city limits.”
Kathleen John, an English and Drama teacher, recently moved to Temora in regional New South Wales from Blacktown in Sydney and hasn’t looked back.
“From a financial perspective, living is much easier in the bush,” Ms John said.
“My money goes much further in Temora. I live in a three-bedroom house with my dogs. There is no way I could’ve afforded something like this in Sydney.
“The school environment is also incredible, my principal is fantastic, everyone has been so welcoming and supportive."
“I also find the teaching is more rewarding, here at Temora High School, class sizes are smaller which means you can establish closer connections with your students, and you can actually see the impact you’re having on a student’s education.”
To find where your career could take you, visit the ’Move to More’ website.
For more information please contact:
Lydia Bilton
Senior Consultant
Porter Novelli
Phone: 0466 624 420
Email: [email protected]
Madeleine Hanley
Media Content Lead
Porter Novelli
Phone: 0423 366 918
Email: [email protected]
ºBig Movers Report, Regional Australia Institute, September 2023
*YouGov survey of 500 city-based teachers and early childhood educators working in a capital city. Fieldwork was undertaken between 25th July – 2nd August 2023. The survey was carried out online.