Teacher housing in rural and remote Australia: rent subsidies and free housing by state

Teacher housing by state (October 2026)

NSW: how the rent subsidy works

NSW pays a rental subsidy of 90% at 8-point schools, 70% at 6-point schools and 50% at 4-point schools. It applies whether you live in Teacher Housing Authority housing or rent privately, as long as you're eligible for teacher housing. The catch: the subsidy is funded from your Rural Teacher Incentive. It's deducted from the incentive quarterly, so the more subsidy you use, the less incentive cash you get. Work out both options: the incentive cash is taxed at your marginal rate (32% at most teacher salaries in 2026-27), so compare the after-tax incentive you give up with the rent you save. Ask payroll how the subsidy is reported for tax.

Western Australia: subsidised housing, cheapest in the RTS

WA provides subsidised housing for eligible teachers in most rural, regional and remote locations. Rent subsidies vary by location and usually depend on distance from major centres. Remote Teaching Service housing is the most heavily subsidised, often rent-free; we couldn't verify current Government Regional Officers' Housing (GROH) rents, so confirm yours before you accept. The department also covers moving furniture, personal effects and vehicles to your school, may reimburse temporary accommodation, and transports your vehicle to and from regional and remote postings.

• Other allowances you may get: help with utility connection fees, furniture wear and tear, air-conditioning, gas and vacation travel, depending on location.
• Going home: after 2 years in the same location you may get relocation support back to Perth if you resign, subject to conditions.
• Check the school: WA's allowances and benefits calculator shows what applies to each school. The housing and transport team is on 9264 4412 (option 4).

Northern Territory: rent-free remote housing

NT teachers in department-supplied accommodation in remote localities get a 100% rental concession, and the department continues to supply electricity in Category 2 and 3 areas (that part is policy, not an agreement entitlement). Borroloola has a separate electricity subsidy. In Katherine, a grandparented Teacher Housing Subsidy still applies to some staff; those on it don't get the $4,500 Katherine attraction and retention allowance. Remote teachers also get up to $500 for satellite TV or internet.

Tasmania and Queensland

Tasmania offers housing at $10 a week at four west-coast isolated schools (Mountain Heights, Rosebery District, Strahan Primary and Zeehan Primary), subject to availability, alongside a $5,000 settling-in payment and discretionary relocation assistance. Queensland's Rural and Remote Housing Incentive Scheme offered subsidised or reduced rent and 12 months' accommodation support according to a 2024 fact sheet; we couldn't confirm the current terms, so ask your region.

Relocation help by state

Moving with a partner or family

Several schemes pay more if you bring a partner or children, which helps with a bigger house or higher living costs. The NT's Remote Incentive Allowance has a dependant rate (up to $12,345 in Category 3, against $10,319 single). Queensland's locality allowance runs up to $9,193 for a family against $4,596 single. NSW's award doubles the isolation (locality) allowance with a dependent partner and adds an amount per dependent child, for example $699 for the first child in Group 1. Tell HR about dependants when you start so you're paid the right rate.

What teacher housing is actually like

Department housing ranges from new builds to older houses and units. In small communities you may share with another teacher, live next door to colleagues and students' families, and have little choice over location. That isn't a reason to avoid it, but go in with clear questions.

Buying instead of renting

If you plan to stay, NSW offers a Stamp Duty Relief Payment of up to $10,000 for teachers at rural or remote incentive schools, and relocation support of $5,000 or $8,000. Country properties are often cheaper, but resale can be slow. Lenders look closely at income from allowances: some count incentives, some don't. See teacher home loans in Australia and the borrowing power calculator.