Learn how the Teacher Bonding Scheme helps Priority Staffing Schools attract and retain participating teachers and improve the distribution of teachers.
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Last updated 31 August 2026
Applications opening 7 September 2026
Applications for the 2026/2027 cohort will open on 7 September at 12pm. We will provide the Application Process and Reference Guide to all eligible schools soon.
Teacher Bonding Scheme
The Teacher Bonding Scheme (TBS) is an incentive intended to attract and retain participating teachers into Priority Staffing Schools.
The TBS aims to:
reduce recruitment challenges for principals at Priority Staffing Schools
improve the distribution of teachers to Priority Staffing Schools
increases teacher retention for TBS roles in these settings
encourage schools to offer long-term agreements for beginning teachers.
Eligible schools can apply for a TBS placement. If successful, a school can assign the placement to one teaching vacancy, allowing the successful applicant to participate in the scheme.
Teachers appointed to TBS roles will receive a lump sum payment annually, up to a maximum of $40,000 before tax over five years through payroll.
Any teacher (beginning, experienced, or overseas trained) can apply for a teacher vacancy that attracts the TBS incentive. This should support more applications for teacher vacancies, giving principals more choice in appointing teachers who best suit the school.
Eligibility and information for schools
The Teacher Bonding Scheme (TBS) has 235 places available in 2026-2027. Places are targeted using the Priority Staffing Schools criteria. Funding for the TBS is capped each year, and places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can check a school's eligibility in the WISP tool or the TBS Eligible Schools – 2026-2027 cohort list.
Eligible schools may request one of the TBS places per year if they have a teacher vacancy starting Term 4 or Term 1 of the year of the specified funding round. Schools with more than one vacancy must decide which vacancy to attach the incentive to. It can only be attached to a teacher position.
If allocated one of the TBS places, schools can then use the TBS as a recruitment and retention incentive in one teacher job advertisement. Once recruited, provided the teacher meets the eligibility criteria, they will receive their TBS payments payment(s) after 12 months continuous service from their appointment. This payment will be prorated according to their FTTE.
To take part in the TBS, the advertised position must meet all the following eligibility criteria.
The school is on the Priority Staffing Schools list.
The position is for a certificated teacher. This position must be a teaching position defined as:
actively delivering classroom instruction to students; and
is classified in Education Payroll with a Designation Code of S12.
The vacancy commences in Term 4 or Term 1 of the year of the specified funding round.
The employment agreement is for at least 0.3 FTTE.
The employment agreement is for at least 12 months.
This cannot be used for Limited Authority to Teach (LAT), reliever positions or Teaching Principals.
Teachers applying for a TBS vacancy must have either:
been employed at a different school immediately prior to applying for the vacancy, or
have at least a 12-month gap since last being employed (on a fixed-term or permanent employment agreement) at the school.
Exceptions: The 12-month exclusion does not apply where the preferred candidate:
was previously employed at the same school under a Limited Authority to Teach (LAT) and now meets the qualification and practising certificate requirements above; or
was previously employed at the same school as a day relief teacher and is now being appointed to a fixed-term or permanent eligible teaching position.
Payment Information
Teachers appointed to TBS roles will receive a lump sum payment annually, up to a maximum of $40,000 before tax over five years through payroll.
Once recruited, the teacher must complete 12 months continuous service at a minimum of 0.3FTTE to be eligible for payments. The teacher must continue in the appointment to receive their annual payments.
Payments are made in Term 1 annually. Please see the below table for a breakdown.
Time
Amount (before tax)
1 year
$5,000
2 years
$6,500
3 years
$8,000
4 years
$9,500
5 years
$11,000
Total
$40,000
TBS payments are made directly to the teacher.
Existing incentive schemes: Voluntary Bonding Scheme and BeTTER Jobs Programme
You may be familiar with similar programmes – the Voluntary Bonding Scheme (VBS) and BeTTER Jobs Programme.
The existing Voluntary Bonding Scheme (VBS) and BeTTER Jobs Programme incentives closed 5 October 2025.
Teachers who were in a VBS school before 5 October 2025 are still eligible to apply for applicable payments.
Teachers currently in these programmes can continue to apply for payments as and when they meet all existing criteria.
Employers should no longer advertise these schemes from 5 October 2025.
