2. Rural and remote teacher allowances and incentives
Teacher allowances and incentives can include a range of income supplements and resource options. Some States and Territories provide locality allowances for teachers under categories of remoteness. In most cases these allowances are minimal and do not offset the living costs. Housing provision and housing subsidies are essential in many remote communities. The provision of this resource varies across the States and Territory. In some instances, teachers will not have any choice about their living arrangements and if they are single they may be obliged to share accommodation.
Leave entitlements and transfer options are also incentives for teachers. Many new graduates take positions in rural and remote schools knowing that after the requisite number of years they will have the opportunity to transfer back to a metropolitan region.
Leave entitlements do not really constitute a teacher incentive. Instead, the extra few days are provided in acknowledgment of the time taken to travel extra distances to visit family and friends.
The following table lists rural and remote teacher allowances and incentives in each State and Territory for which the Inquiry has information.
Comparison of Australian State and Territory Teacher Allowances and Incentives (Government schools only)
| Salary allowances | Housing subsidy | Travel allowances | PD rural remote specific | Transfer options | Incentives for new recruits | PD & scholarships AEW & AIEW | Leave entitlements | |
| Tas | - | Limited subsidised hostel accommodation | For Bass Strait Islands 1 trip per year reimbursed | - | After 3 years automatic transfer out | Limited scholarships for maths, science and info tech teachers | Through the Office of Aboriginal Affairs | - |
| Vic | Minor allowance for Remote Class A | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| NSW | Locality allowance | Some subsidised housing | Yes | - | Points system for transfer | - | Payment of HECS scholarships | 7 extra days per year |
| Qld | Locality allowance | Subsidised rental scheme, rental rebates, single teachers must share | - | Some additional funding | Transfer system points related to remoteness | - | Contributions to HECS & provision of on site coordinators and tutors | 5 extra days per year |
| NT | Professional's Isolation Allowance from $300 to $1 200pa | Housing Subsidy Rental rebate, accommodation provided but in poor repair | Reimbursed fares from isolated locations | - | Study points scheme, 20 points provides 6 months leave | - | No scholarships for AIEWs. One six month study leave award per year | 4 extra days per year |
| WA | 3 categories of allowance depending on location | With conditions single teachers are required to share housing | Yes | - | Transfer system merit selection can work against staff | - | - | Remote schools only |
| SA | Locality allowance on sliding scale depending on distance to Adelaide | After 4 years | Removal Allowance. Reimbursed travel for medical purposes | Yes | Yes | Limited recruitment activities | No scholarships. Some on site training for AEWs wanting to move through the career structure | Yes |
