Relocation incentives

Incentives available

There are incentives available to help more eligible teachers relocate to areas around regional Victoria and take up teaching positions in Victorian government schools. These incentives are designed to help rural and regional schools recruit teachers and improve educational outcomes for students.

Currently there are two programs available that offer incentive payments to help teachers relocate, each with different payment amounts and eligibility criteria. Please refer to the sections below for more information on each program.

Targeted Financial Incentives (TFI)

50 teaching roles in 2026-27 will include incentive payments of up to $50,000 (before tax) to attract suitably qualified teachers to relocate to positions in rural Victorian government schools through the Targeted Financial Incentives (TFI) program.

TFI roles currently available for application are commencing in Term 4, 2026 & Term 1 2027.

TFI inclusions

• Upfront incentive payment of up to $50,000 (before-tax) - part-time positions will attract pro-rata incentive amounts equal to the time fraction advertised.
• Teachers who accept these positions will be required to commit to a minimum of two years of employment in the position.
• Annual retention payments of $10,000 (before-tax) will be paid after the second, third and fourth year of employment. Part-time positions will attract pro-rata payments.
• Relocation support may be available to eligible teachers who take up one of the positions.

Regional Relocation Incentive (RRI)

The Regional Relocation Incentive (RRI) program provides incentive payments for a total of up to $30,000 (before-tax) to also help teachers relocate to Regional Victoria.

Roles currently available for application are commencing in Term 4, 2026 & Term 1, 2027.

Regional Relocation Incentive (RRI) inclusions

• Incentives payments for a total of up to $30,000 (before-tax) split across three separate annual retention payments of $10,000 (before-tax) at the conclusion of the second, third and fourth years of employment. Each retention payment is subject to successful completion of employment milestones. Part-time positions will attract pro-rata incentive amounts equal to the time fraction advertised.
• Reimbursement of relocation expenses up to $5,000 (before-tax).
• Supports available to identify suitable housing in local communities.
• Teachers who accept these positions must remain employed at the school for two years to receive their retention payment and remain for subsequent years for the third- and fourth-year payments.

RRI Eligibility

To be eligible for RRI you must:

• Be a fully qualified teacher that is registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching, for teachers coming to Victoria from interstate and overseas, this is not required at the time of application but will be required prior to commencement.
• Be successfully employed through a merit-based selection process, as per the Recruitment in Schools Policy.
• Be relocating to take up the position, subject to residency-based eligibility.
• Eligibility will also be determined based on a candidate’s current place of residence.

For the full list of eligibility criteria, refer to the individual RRI job listings via School Jobs Vic.

Payment of incentives

After commencement at their new school, each recipient that meets the candidate eligibility criteria will receive incentive payments through central payroll.

If applicable, relocation reimbursement will be paid by the Travel and Personal Expenses Teaching Service policy.