Eligibility and payment information for the Voluntary Bonding Schemes
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Last updated 12 September 2025
Is your school or kura eligible for support to attract and retain staff under our new Teacher Bonding Scheme? If you are a principal or tumuaki at an eligible school or kura, you can use the Teacher Bonding Scheme as a recruitment and retention incentive.
Bonding schemes
An improved Teacher Bonding Scheme is being introduced in October, while the existing Voluntary Bonding Scheme will remain only for current participants including those who were employed in schools before 5 October 2025 and are yet to apply for their future payments.
The Teacher Bonding Scheme (TBS)
From October 2025, teachers recruited to eligible schools for a Teacher Bonding Scheme vacancy will receive annual payments accumulating to a maximum total of $40,000 after completing 5 years. The TBS is available to any teacher appointed to a TBS role — this includes graduate, experienced, and overseas qualified teachers.
Eligibility and information for schools
The Teacher Bonding Scheme (TBS) will deliver 185 places. These will be targeted using the Priority Staffing Schools criteria.
From October 2025, eligible schools with a confirmed placement can use the TBS as a recruitment and retention incentive in their job advertisements.
From 5 October 2025, the existing Voluntary Bonding Scheme and BeTTER Jobs Programme incentives will be closed. Teachers currently in these programmes will continue to receive payments, provided they continue to meet all existing criteria. This includes Teachers who have been employed in a VBS school before 5 October 2025 2025 and are still waiting to apply for their future payments.
Teachers who have previously received or are currently receiving Voluntary Bonding Scheme (or the previously-run BeTTER scheme) funding are eligible for TBS if they are successful in appointment to an eligible role.
Is your school or kura eligible?
Check the list of eligible schools and kura. [PDF, 437 KB]
