Overseas trained teachers relocation grant

As an overseas-trained teacher coming to New Zealand to fill a teaching vacancy, or a returning New Zealand trained teacher, you may be eligible for an Overseas Relocation Grant of up to $10,000 (GST inclusive).

You must have begun full-time employment in a state or state-integrated school, or licensed early learning centre within 90 days of applying for the grant in order to be eligible.

The grant is paid in a single instalment. It will normally take 4-6 working weeks to receive the outcome of your application, with a further 2-4 weeks for payment if your application is approved.

There are 1360 Overseas Relocation Grants available from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023. We will let you know after applying if there are allocations remaining.

To find out more information about teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand please visit Teach in Aotearoa New Zealand – Careers in Education. 

Am I eligible for an overseas relocation grant?

Eligibility criteria:

• You must be registered and certified by the Teaching Council of New Zealand

• Your role must be starting from 1st July 2022 – 30 June 2023 and your contract must be at least 12 months in a:  

1. State or state-integrated school (excluding independent schools) 
2. Licensed early learning centre

• In the 12 months prior to your contract start date, you must not have been:

1. in a permanent teaching position in New Zealand, or
2. doing relief work or working in a fixed term role exceeding 12 weeks in any NZ school or licensed early learning service

• The teacher appointed must not have entered New Zealand under the Border Exception Scheme (now closed).

• You must apply for the grant within 90 days of commencing employment in the school or early learning centre.

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 be 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 a single instalment, normally within 6 - 8 working weeks after receiving a complete application.

How to apply

You must have all 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 4 - 6 working weeks after completing an application. You will receive payment normally within 2 - 4 working weeks if your application is approved.

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 2020 you have the right to request access to all information held about yourself and to request corrections to that information. 

Contact us: 

Email: teacher.supply@education.govt.nz 

Freephone (NZ Only): 0800 165 225

International Callers: +64 4 463-8602