A relocation grant is available to teachers returning from overseas to work in a state or state-integrated school
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Last updated 30 September 2026
As a primary or secondary teacher coming or returning to New Zealand from overseas, you may be eligible for a grant which covers relocation costs of up to NZD$10,000.
The Overseas Relocation Grant (ORG) can cover or contribute towards a range of relocation costs including registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, temporary accommodation in New Zealand, airfares and relocation costs for immediate family members.
Funding of grants is capped each year. Grants are offered and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Notice for overseas early childhood education teachers
From 1 October 2026 overseas early childhood education teachers relocating to New Zealand are no longer be eligible for the Overseas Relocation Grant.
Early childhood centres can still access the Navigator service and apply for Overseas Finders’ Fees.
Overseas relocation grant eligibility
You are eligible if you:
were a fully qualified teacher before relocating to New Zealand
are registered with and certificated by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand
have a full-time employment agreement of at least 12 months in a state or state-integrated school
are starting your role between 1 July to 30 June of each financial year that the grants are available
relocated within the last 6 months prior to starting employment
have a valid New Zealand Work or Resident Visa (or be a citizen)
apply for the grant within 3 months of starting employment in your school.
You will not be eligible if you:
have received an overseas relocation grant in the past
arrived in New Zealand with the intention of obtaining a teaching qualification
are relocating to an independent or charter school
have held a teaching role in a New Zealand state or state-integrated school or licensed early learning service in the 12 months prior to your start date.
How to apply
ESL access is required. Applicants must have an ESL account linked to their current school, with the "Education Workforce User" role. To get your ESL account, contact your school's Delegated Authoriser.
We recommend you prepare your employment contract and receipts before starting your application.
Complete your application using the link in the box. Once you have started your application, you can save and continue it later.
We do not accept applications by email. If you experience technical difficulties completing the form, please contact us at teacher.supply@education.govt.nz.
You can find a list of eligible expenses on the Inland Revenue website.
Please complete and submit using the form you have started by 9 October. Applications received after this date will not to be accepted and need to be resubmitted using the online portal.
Payment
We will notify you of your application outcome within 4-6 working weeks of receiving your completed application. If approved, we will ask for your bank details so we can pay a single instalment into your nominated bank account within 2-4 working weeks of approval. The amount paid will be the total of all eligible items for which proof of expenditure has been provided, up to NZD$10,000.
We are improving our system during October. During this time, our assessment of applications may take 6-8 weeks instead of the usual 4-6 week timeframe.