2027 teach.Rural Scholarship Program

HSC students, university students and career changers, you could get paid while you study to become a teacher. teach.Rural Scholarships are available for future teachers of secondary mathematics, science (must include 2 science subjects, one of which must be chemistry or physics), technological and applied studies (TAS) or in inclusive/special education (K-12).

teach.Rural Scholars receive:

• $7,500 (subject to tax) per year of full time study, up to a maximum of five years
• $500 (subject to tax) per week while completing a rural practicum
• up to $50,000 (subject to tax) equivalent upfront course contribution fee
• a permanent teaching job in a rural or remote NSW public school on completion of studies
• a further $6,000 (subject to tax) on completion of studies.

Eligible applicants are Australian citizens or permanent residents who are:

• students completing the HSC in 2026 in a NSW or ACT secondary school or TAFE NSW who will be entering into an initial teacher education degree at a recognised Australian university from Semester 1, 2027; or
• university students currently undertaking a suitable degree, or an undergraduate or postgraduate initial teacher education degree at a recognised Australian university and will be continuing studies in Semester 1, 2027; or
• individuals who are no longer at school, already have a degree, or have industry experience and are intending to enrol in an initial teacher education degree at a recognised Australian university from Semester 1, 2027; and
• are willing to accept an appointment as a permanent full time teacher to a rural or remote NSW public school for a minimum period of three years.

For more information regarding accredited initial teacher education programs visit the NSW Education Standards Authority’s website.

Along with the lifestyle advantages, there are excellent opportunities for career advancement and a wide range of additional benefits and incentives in rural and remote schools. Depending on the specific location, existing benefits and incentives for teachers may include such financial incentives and reimbursements as:

• relocation subsidy
• rental subsidy
• motor vehicle allowance
• reimbursement for certain medical and dental treatment
• climatic disability allowance
• isolation from goods and services allowance
• vacation travel expenses

and a wide range of additional benefits depending on location, including:

• extended summer vacation
• additional personal leave
• eligibility to apply for an incentive transfer at the end of your service commitment period.

Visit https://education.nsw.gov.au/teach-nsw/find-teaching-jobs/choose-rural/benefits-and-incentives to discover more about teaching in rural and remote NSW public schools, including using the Benefits Calculator to find out the specific entitlements by school.

The closing date for the receipt of applications and supporting documentation for the 2027 teach.Rural Scholarship Program is Friday, 16 October 2026.

For further information contact the Scholarships and Employment Programs Team on telephone 1300 301 435 or by email at scholarships@det.nsw.edu.au.