New teachers in Queensland will be eligible for up to $30,000 in grants as part of a new measure to attract educators to regional areas.
Education Minister Di Farmer on Saturday outlined plans for a $71m package to support new teachers to enter the workforce.
“I am so pleased to be announcing one of a raft of new initiatives, $71m in initiatives, to encourage our teachers to go to some of the more far-flung areas of our state,” she said.
“We will be providing $5000 to any teachers who are in their final semester of training to encourage them to go to our high priority areas which is central Queensland, north Queensland and Far North Queensland to do their final prac.”
Under the plan, preservice teachers would receive $5000 during their final placement at state-run schools, starting in semester 2 this year and running until the end of 2026.
Student teachers travelling for their placement would also be eligible for an additional $5000.
The plan also includes provisions for graduate teachers, backdated to 2023, that begin their career in high priority areas, with $20,000 in grants over four years.
The additional incentives will be provided on top of existing policies such as subsidised accommodation and tax incentives.
Ms Farmer said the government estimated about 1500 teachers were likely to take up the sweetener.
“We know that if we can get those training teachers to go to those areas, they are more likely to stay there,” she said.
The move comes after repeat warnings Queensland’s education system is struggling following the loss of more than 12,000 teachers and teachers aides since 2020.
Across the state, 78 per cent of principals reported teacher shortages at their school in the last year, according to a survey by the Queensland Education Union.
Queensland Teachers’ Union president Cresta Richardson welcomed the announcement, saying it would provide regional schools the opportunity to develop, grow and employ great teachers.
“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.
Source Agencies
