ORG eligibility criteria

As a New Zealand-trained teacher returning to New Zealand, you may be eligible for an overseas relocation grant (ORG) of up to $7000. Grants are distributed on a first in, first served basis, and teachers must already have begun full-time employment in a state or state-integrated school to be eligible for the grant.

Am I eligible for an overseas relocation grant?

• You need to be registered and certificated by the Education Council of New Zealand
• You must not have taught in a New Zealand state or state-integrated school between 13 December 2016 and 12 December 2017
• You must have secured either fulltime, permanent or fixed-term employment for at least 12 months in a New Zealand state or state-integrated school
• You can only receive the grant once in a five year period
• The start date of your employment must be between 13 December 2017 and 30 June 2019.
• You must apply for the grant within three months of starting employment in New Zealand
• You need to provide evidence of the costs associated with your relocation, and you will be reimbursed the actual and reasonable cost of relocating, up to a maximum of $7,000 (GST exclusive).

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

If you are an overseas citizen but trained in New Zealand, you will qualify for the grant as long as you meet the requirements set out by Immigration New Zealand for immigration purposes if you are not a citizen and do not hold permanent residency. 

If you change jobs during the year, as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria with your new job, you will be eligible to receive your second payment after returning the 30 week payment form.

If you leave teaching on New Zealand before completing 12 months’ full-time employment, you may be asked to pay back some of the ORG.

If you accept the ORG, you need to provide your bank information for the first payment (payable after 10 weeks of teaching) and a form that demonstrates you are still employed for the second payment (payable after 30 weeks of teaching). You must provide any necessary information within the timeframe given to receive your payments. Payments are non-taxable.

For more information: