A teaching student at sitting down at a campus
A teaching student at sitting down at a campus
Becoming a teacher in New Zealand
Ngā arawātea mō ngā kaiako hou me ngā kaiako tawhito

Opportunities for beginning and returning teachers

Starting out or returning to teaching? The BeTTER Jobs Programme could work for you
A teaching student at sitting down at a campus
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Last updated 7 August 2024

The BeTTER Jobs Programme supports beginning teachers (BeT) and returning teachers who have completed a Teacher Education Refresh (TER) programme into teaching positions at schools or kura where they are needed most. The programme works like a matching service whereby eligible teachers can complete an Expression of Interest to receive weekly notifications about vacancies at relevant and eligible schools or kura.

August 2024 update
Expressions of interest (EOI) for the 2025 cohort will open in September/October 2024. Up to 130 places will be funded. Eligible schools will be released when applications open. If you were in the 2024 cohort, you do not need to do anything. More information will be published here when EOIs open.

There are financial benefits for both the teacher and the school/kura when a match is made and a teacher is placed at an eligible school or kura.

The teacher will receive NZD$5,000 (before tax) per year for up to 2 years if they are eligible, find a role through the programme, and remain employed at an eligible school or kura. 

The school or kura will receive funding of NZD$5,000 (excl. GST) for up to 2 years, which can be used to support mentoring and induction of the teacher.

After 2 years in the BeTTER Jobs Programme, beginning teachers may also be eligible for Voluntary Bonding Scheme payments.

Voluntary Bonding Schemes – Education Workforce

There are up to 130 positions available in the programme in the 2024/25 financial year. These are for beginning or returning teachers who are looking for their first teaching position since completing an initial teacher education qualification or TER programme.

Eligible schools and kura are reviewed and/or updated every year. Eligible schools and kura for the 2025 cohort are currently being worked through and will be published here when confirmed.

The positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The teaching position must be at an eligible state or state-integrated school or kura, and must be at least 0.8 full-time teacher equivalent (FTTE).

As a schools-based initiative, the BeTTER Jobs Programme does not cover the early learning sector. 

Registering your interest

The application period for the 2024 cohort is closed. This page will be updated when we're accepting expressions of interest for the 2025 cohort.

Contact us

If you have any questions, we’re here to help.

Email: vacancy.hub@education.govt.nz

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Try one of the links below.
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