Teaching in remote communities: jobs, pay, housing and what it's really like

Where remote teaching jobs are

What remote schools are like

Remote schools are often small. You may teach a composite class across several year levels, or be one of a handful of staff. Many remote schools serve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and in many of them students speak one or more home languages and learn Standard Australian English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D). The NT agreement covers Aboriginal Team Teachers, and SA's agreement covers Aboriginal Education Workers. You will likely teach alongside local educators who know the students, families and community far better than you do. Working well with them is one of the most important parts of the job.

Cultural induction and support

Good systems build induction in. In SA, school leaders and Deputy Principals appointed to Anangu and Aboriginal schools get a four-week induction program: one week at the Principal Induction Program, one week on the Aboriginal Culture and Studies Course at the Aboriginal Education Unit, and two weeks of negotiated observation. Permanent teachers in those schools get a term of paid study leave after 2 years. Queensland's agreement gives up to 3 days' paid cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, and Tasmania up to 5 days.

Housing

Housing is the backbone of a remote package. In the NT, teachers in department housing in remote localities get a 100% rental concession, and the department supplies electricity in Category 2 and 3 areas. WA's Remote Teaching Service comes with heavily subsidised, often rent-free, government housing (we couldn't verify current GROH rents, so confirm yours). Housing is often shared or allocated, and you may not choose who you live with. Ask what furniture and appliances are provided, whether there's air-conditioning, and how internet works. See teacher housing in rural and remote areas.

Isolation: getting out and staying connected

• Airfares: NT remote teachers get 2 or 3 free return airfares a year to Darwin or Alice Springs under the Fares Out of Isolated Locality scheme, or a kilometre allowance if they drive.
• Time to access services: NT remote staff get up to 4 business days a year to access services such as medical and banking.
• Internet: NT remote teachers can claim up to $500 for satellite TV or internet.
• Medical travel: Tasmania's isolated schools give travel and accommodation for specialist medical appointments, plus 8 paid days over 2 years for urgent business. NSW's award includes medical and dental reimbursements and vacation travel expenses for isolated schools.
• Extra holidays: Queensland's RoRRS adds an extra week of summer holidays; WA's Remote Teaching Service adds 10 weeks of RTS leave after 6 semesters and 22 weeks (cumulative) after 8, and WA's country and remote program schools give 5 extra personal leave days a year for health travel.

Pay: what remote teaching adds up to

Career benefits

Remote service speeds up careers. WA offers permanency after 2 years of continuous satisfactory service at a Country Teaching Program school, and RTS teachers get a transfer to a region of their choice after 3 years (subject to availability). NT classroom teachers can transfer to Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine or Alice Springs after 3 years remote. NT remote teachers also earn study leave points: 5 a year in Category 3, and 20 points buys a semester on full pay. Teachers who stay 4 years in a Very Remote area may get their HELP debt reduced: see HECS debt relief for remote teachers.

How to apply