Overseas Relocation Grant (ORG) eligibility criteria

As a New Zealand-trained teacher returning to teach in New Zealand, you may be eligible for an overseas relocation grant (ORG) of up to $7000. You must already have begun full-time employment in a state or state-integrated school to be eligible for the grant.

The grant is paid in two instalments – 50% after 10 weeks and 50% after 30 weeks of teaching in New Zealand (checked via payroll).

Am I eligible for an overseas relocation grant?

• You need to be registered and certificated by the Teaching Council of New Zealand

• You must have secured either fulltime employment (permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months) in a New Zealand state or state-integrated school, and must be in the same school for those 12 months

• You must not have been teaching in a New Zealand school in the 12 months prior to your start date
• You have not have received an Overseas Relocation Grant (ORG) within the last 5 years
• You must apply for the grant within three months of commencing employment in the school

Eligible expenses and payment

The IRD defines the types of expenses that can be claimed as part of an ORG. Please refer to the IRD list of eligible expenses before starting your application as expenses not on the list will not reimbursed. You will need to provide proof of expenditure for each individual expense.

For each expense you enter, you must upload a matching PDF copy of a receipt or invoice that clearly shows the amount and currency. Bank statements cannot be accepted as evidence of expenditure.

If your application is approved the amount paid will be the total of all eligible items for which proof of expenditure has been provided.

The grant is paid in two instalments – 50% after 10 weeks and 50% after 30 weeks of eligible teaching in New Zealand.

How to apply

You must have all of your details and expenditure documents ready on your computer before starting your application.

Use the application form at the top right corner of this page to apply. In this application you will enter a list of the eligible expenses you wish to claim, including a description, amount and currency.  You will be required to upload the following documents:

• A copy of your Employment Agreement
• Evidence of expenditure for all expenses being claimed (Bank statements cannot be accepted as evidence)
• Verified evidence of your bank account and postal address (to enable payment)

You will be notified of the outcome within 8 weeks of receipt of your application and if your application is approved you will receive payments approximately 10 and 30 weeks after your employment start date.

Please note, the Ministry of Education will use the information collected on this form together with the information held in Education Service Payroll to:

• consider your application for an Overseas Relocation Grant payment
• administer your payment(s). For these purposes, the Ministry of Education may share your information with your employing school and the Inland Revenue Department. The Ministry may contact the Teaching Council to request details of your registration status. The Ministry may also use this information for statistical and research purposes. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to request access to all information held about yourself and to request corrections to that information. 

Additional information is provided on the Frequently Asked Questions page. 

For more information:

teacher.supply@education.govt.nz 

0800 165 225