Beginning and returning teacher matching programme

About the programme

The BeTTER jobs programme is open to beginning teachers (BeT) and returning teachers who have recently completed a Teacher Education Refresh (TER) programme. 

The programme works like a matching service. Eligible teachers complete an expression of interest to receive weekly notifications about vacancies at relevant and eligible schools or kura.

Should an eligible teacher successfully apply for a vacancy at an eligible school | kura, a payment is made to both the school | kura and the teacher for up to 2 years.

There are 130 funded matches for beginning and returning teachers looking for their first teaching position since completing their qualification in 2024. To be eligible for the 2025 BeTTER jobs programme, they must be starting in their new role after 1 October 2024.

School eligibility and actions

While each programme cohort runs for 2 years, the eligible school | kura list is reviewed annually. Eligibility for the programme is developed in collaboration with Te Mahou offices based on local knowledge and a mix of other qualitative and quantitative indicators. 

2025 BeTTER Jobs programme eligible schools and kura list

Eligible schools | kura do not need to do anything – other than ensure they advertise their vacancies. We will match teacher preferences to advertised vacancies based on their preferences via a weekly email. It is up to the teacher to make an application. 

While schools | kura do not need to do anything, they can be proactive by advertising their eligible school status in their vacancies, and if already in a recruitment process with an eligible teacher, they can encourage them to put in an expression of interest. An expression of interest form for eligible teachers can be found here, along with additional information about the jobs programme for teachers: 

Job opportunities for beginning and returning teachers - Education Workforce

School payments and employment confirmation

If an eligible school | kura employs a teacher who is part of the BETTER jobs programme and that employment is confirmed, the school or kura will receive funding of $5,000 (excl. GST) per year for up to 2 years, which can be used to support mentoring and induction of the teacher. 

Eligible teachers must be employed into a position that is at least 0.8 Full Time Teacher Equivalent (FTTE) and for 12 months or more. If the teacher returns for another 12 months or has a permanent position, the school | kura and teacher receive the payment for a second and final year.  

More Information

Detailed guidance about the BeTTER jobs programme for eligible schools | kura and their boards  is available here.

2025 BeTTER Jobs Programme guidance for schools | kura

Contact us

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

Email: vacancy.hub@education.govt.nz