Schools' finder's fee for recruiting teachers from overseas

A finder's fee may be payable to schools, kura and licensed early learning centres who have recruited a teacher from overseas. The finder's fee can be claimed for recruiting New Zealand-trained teachers returning from overseas and overseas-trained teachers coming to New Zealand to teach in your school or centre.

Eligible schools, kura and early learning centres will receive NZD$3,450 (including GST) to offset recruitment costs. Funding of the finder's fee is capped each year. The fee is offered across the primary, secondary and early learning sectors each year and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Licensed early learning centres can only receive one finder's fee per centre, per year.

Overseas Finder's Fee eligibility

Only state or state-integrated schools or kura, and licensed early learning centres can apply for the finder's fee.

To be eligible for the finder's fee, you must apply within 3 months of the teacher starting employment in your school, kura or early learning centre, and your overseas teacher must: 

• be registered with and certified by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand
• be starting their role between 1 July to 30 June of each financial year that the fee is available
• have an employment agreement of at least 12 months
• have moved to New Zealand
• have not held a teaching role in a New Zealand state or state-integrated school or kura or licensed early learning centre for the 12 months prior to their start date.

How to apply

You can find the application form in the Popular Resources section of this page. Download the application form and save it to your device before completing it. We recommend reading through the requirements and preparing your evidence before your application. 

Email your completed application form and evidence of your teacher arriving in New Zealand and starting their role to teacher.supply@education.govt.nz

Payment

We will notify you of your application outcome within 6 working weeks of us receiving your completed application. If approved, we will pay in a single instalment within 2 working weeks of approval. 

Contact us

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

See our Contact us page for more information on how to get in touch.