Have you ever considered teaching in rural or remote NSW? Maybe you are craving a tree-change, are looking for a strong community connection, want to diversify your teaching experience in a truly unique way or are seeking a fast-tracked pathway to career progression.

While a number of incredible teaching opportunities exist in metropolitan Sydney, there are plenty of advantages to working in a rural or remote NSW public school.

The department has 33 rural and remote centres spanning across Western NSW, Inland Southern NSW and Inland Northern NSW. Within these centres there are 155 schools that attract additional benefits and incentives as part of the department’s Rural Incentive Scheme.

That said, the benefits of teaching in rural or remote NSW are not only financial. There are countless opportunities for teachers looking to expand and develop their teaching practice, make a real difference to the lives of students and school communities and enjoy a laid-back lifestyle.

Read on for five reasons why teachers choose to live and teach in rural NSW.

1. Be a part of the community

The department is committed to bringing the best and brightest teachers to some of the most remote parts of NSW. When you live and teach in a rural or remote community, the impact extends beyond the school gate, directly benefiting the wider community and making a visible difference.

2. Enjoy additional benefits and incentives

There are a number of benefits and incentives available to temporary and permanent teachers working in rural and remote NSW public schools. Benefits are varied depending on the number of points the school attracts, ranging from four points to eight points. For example, the Rural Teacher Incentive offers up to an additional $30,000 per year on top of a regular teaching salary. Teachers in rural and remote NSW can also access other benefits and incentives including rental subsidies between 50% and 90%, additional personal leave days, professional development opportunities and trial placement before appointment.

3. Make the most of the lifestyle

Less traffic, more affordable property, laid-back living and more time to enjoy what you love are just a few of the highlights of a life in rural or remote NSW. Whether you’re a foodie, enjoy the great outdoors or consider yourself a sportsperson, there is something for everyone in the range of incredible locations on offer.

Rural and remote NSW is also a great place to raise a family, with supportive communities and plenty of room to live and play.

4. Career progression opportunities

If school leadership is in your sights, it is definitely worth considering teaching in a rural or remote NSW public school for the career progression opportunities available. The collaborative working environments fostered within rural and remote schools allow teachers to develop their leadership skills across a range of curricular and extra-curricular areas. The FASTstream program is a great opportunity for aspiring school leaders who wish to work in rural or remote NSW.

5. Experience a range of different school settings

Teaching in rural or remote NSW offers the opportunity to work across a number of diverse school settings with small and large school populations. As a teacher in a rural or remote school, you may have the opportunity to work in a central or community school which spans from K - 12. This is a great way to diversify your teaching practice, and provides the unique opportunity to enjoy the success of your students throughout their schooling experience.

You may also have the opportunity to work in a school with high Aboriginal enrolment. Teachers working in schools with high Aboriginal enrolment can contribute to the achievement of outcomes for Aboriginal students and increase knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal histories and culture.

Want to find out more?

The Rural Experience Program provides permanent teachers with the opportunity to experience living and working in rural NSW. Applications are now open for placements commencing in Term 2, 2022. Alternatively, you can sign up to receive notifications when new program information becomes available.

If you are interested in a temporary position within a rural or remote NSW public school, make sure you subscribe to JobFeed to stay up to date with the latest positions available.

If you want to hear firsthand from a teacher living and working in rural and remote NSW, you can watch Georgina’s story on our YouTube channel.