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TAS rural & remote teaching

Rural and isolated school incentives for Tasmanian teachers

Tasmania's isolated schools offer a Level 8 start ($99,010), $5,000 to settle in, retention payments and $10-a-week housing, plus a hard-to-staff pilot.

✓ Fact-checked against official sources Updated 16 October 2026 3 min read

Incentives listed

7

Largest single

$99k

State

TAS

On this page (6 sections)
  1. Every incentive
  2. Isolated school incentives
  3. Hard-to-Staff Schools pilot
  4. Relocation help
  5. HELP debt and Tasmania
  6. FAQs

The short answer

Teachers in Tasmania's isolated schools start at Band 1 Level 8 ($99,010) instead of Level 5, get a $5,000 settling-in payment for a two-year commitment, and earn retention payments of $3,138 to $6,281. Housing at four west coast schools costs $10 a week. Hard-to-staff schools pay another $3,275 a year.

Tasmania's incentives are aimed squarely at getting teachers to its isolated schools, especially on the west coast, and keeping them there. The biggest benefit is not a cash allowance at all: it is starting three levels higher on the pay scale.

Every TAS rural, remote and recruitment incentive

IncentiveAmountWho gets it
Isolated school settling-in payment$5,000Paid when you relocate to an isolated school and commit to at least two years there.
Isolated school retention payments$3,138 after year 1; $3,275 after years 2 and 3; $6,281 after years 4-6For permanent staff; pro rata for part-time. Amounts are from the DECYP page and may be indexed under the 2025 agreement.
Isolated school experienced teacher allowance$3,250 a yearPaid after 12 months or more at Band 1 Level 13 while you stay at the isolated school; pro rata for part-time.
Isolated school subsidised housing$10 a weekAt Mountain Heights, Rosebery District, Strahan Primary and Zeehan Primary, subject to availability. Also 8 paid days over 2 years for urgent business, and travel and accommodation for specialist medical appointments.
Isolated school higher start salaryStart at Band 1 Level 8 ($99,010) instead of Level 5Graduates appointed to isolated schools start three levels higher.
Hard-to-Staff Schools Teacher Incentive (pilot)$1,000 in Term 1 + $2,275 in Term 3Paid after six weeks of each term at an eligible school, from Term 1 2025. Pro rata for part-time; not paid during leave without pay. The school list can change each year.
Relocation assistanceDiscretionary reimbursementTransport, removalist, pets, special accommodation and en-route costs under Ministerial Direction No. 21.

Isolated school incentives

DECYP isolated school incentives
IncentiveAmountConditions
Higher starting salaryBand 1 Level 8, $99,010Instead of the usual Level 5 ($85,313)
Settling-in payment$5,000On relocating, with a commitment of at least 2 years
Retention payments$3,138 after year 1; $3,275 after years 2 and 3; $6,281 after years 4–6Permanent staff; pro rata for part-time
Experienced teacher allowance$3,250 a yearAfter 12+ months at Level 13 while you stay
Subsidised housing$10 a weekMountain Heights, Rosebery District, Strahan Primary and Zeehan Primary, subject to availability
Leave and travel8 paid days over 2 years for urgent businessPlus travel and accommodation for specialist medical appointments

From the DECYP salary, benefits and incentives page. Retention amounts may be indexed under the Teachers Agreement 2025.

Worked example

A graduate at an isolated school vs a city school, first year

City start: Level 5, $85,313
$67,493 take-home
Isolated start: Level 8, $99,010
$76,807 take-home
Plus $5,000 settling-in payment (total $104,010)
$80,207 take-home
Housing at $10 a week
$520 a year in rent
First-year take-home advantage About $12,700

2026–27 tax rates, no HELP debt; settling-in payment assumed taxable. Retention payments come on top from the end of year 1.

Hard-to-Staff Schools pilot

Since Term 1 2025, teachers at schools in the Hard-to-Staff Schools Teacher Incentive Pilot get $1,000 after six weeks of Term 1 and $2,275 after six weeks of Term 3, or $3,275 a year. It is pro rata for part-time, isn't paid during leave without pay, and the list of schools can change each year, so confirm your school is on it.

Relocation help

DECYP can reimburse relocation costs at its discretion under Ministerial Direction No. 21: transport, removalists, pets, special accommodation and en-route costs. Ask for this in writing before you move.

HELP debt and Tasmania

The federal very remote HELP reduction only applies in ABS Very Remote areas. Most Tasmanian schools are not in Very Remote areas, so check your school against the ABS remoteness map before counting on it. See HECS debt relief for remote teachers.

How to get an isolated school job

  1. 1

    Look for isolated school vacancies

    DECYP advertises them, and many suit graduates.

  2. 2

    Confirm the incentives in your offer

    Check it states Level 8 start, the $5,000 settling-in payment and your two-year commitment.

  3. 3

    Ask about housing early

    The $10-a-week houses are subject to availability.

  4. 4

    Track your retention payments

    Note your start date so you know when each payment is due.

Free calculator

Rural teacher incentives calculator

Add the Level 8 start, settling-in and retention payments to see the full value over six years.

Calculate

Frequently asked questions

What incentives are there for teaching in isolated Tasmanian schools?
You start at Band 1 Level 8 ($99,010) instead of Level 5, get a $5,000 settling-in payment for a two-year commitment, and earn retention payments from $3,138 to $6,281. Housing at four west coast schools costs $10 a week.
What is the Tasmanian Hard-to-Staff Schools incentive?
It pays $1,000 after six weeks of Term 1 and $2,275 after six weeks of Term 3, so $3,275 a year, at schools in the pilot since 2025.
Do graduates start higher in isolated Tasmanian schools?
Yes, graduates appointed to isolated schools start at Level 8, $99,010 from March 2026, three levels above the usual Level 5 start of $85,313.
Which Tasmanian schools have $10-a-week housing?
Mountain Heights, Rosebery District, Strahan Primary and Zeehan Primary, subject to availability.
Do I have to stay two years for the $5,000?
Yes, the settling-in payment requires a commitment to at least two years at the isolated school.
Can Tasmanian teachers get the very remote HELP debt reduction?
Only if the school is in an ABS Very Remote area, and most Tasmanian schools are not. Check the remoteness map for your school.

Sources we checked · last verified 16 October 2026

  1. 1.DECYP Salary Scales as at 27 August 2026 (v1.15)
  2. 2.DECYP Salary Scales as at 9 January 2026 (archived)
  3. 3.DECYP: Teaching salaries, benefits and incentives
  4. 4.[2026] TASIC 40: Filing of the Teachers Agreement 2025
  5. 5.Pulse Tasmania: Teachers vote up new three-year deal
  6. 6.TRB Tasmania: Fees and payments
  7. 7.Long Service Leave (State Employees) Act 1994

About this page

Written and fact-checked by the TeacherPay AU editorial team against the enterprise agreements, awards and official pages listed in the sources. It is general information, not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it, usually within a day. See our editorial policy and how we calculate.