Guide to applying
Applications for placements are submitted online and must be endorsed by your substantive principal. You can apply for up to three placements, however, each application should be unique.
How to apply for a placement
- Check your eligibility in the Rural Experience Guidelines
- Complete the online application form and answer the placement questions:
- What motivated you to apply for the program in general and specifically this placement? (max 600 words)
- What skills and experiences can you bring to the Rural Experience School? Why would you be a good fit for this placement (max 600 words)
- Attach the required documentation to your application:
- Endorsement of Application form (saved as a PDF)
- Resume / CV (maximum 2 pages as a PDF
Program schedule
For 2024 Rural Experience Program placements:
- Principals of Rural Experience Schools create placements within their schools (Term 1, 2023)
- Interested teachers apply for placements (Term 2 & 3, 2023)
- Offers made to successful applicants (Term 3 & 4, 2023)
- Placements commence from Term 1, 2024
Talking to your current principal
All directors and principals have been asked to support the Rural Experience Program. You must have the endorsement of your current principal before you apply for a rural experience placement. When discussing the possibility with your principal, you might want to have the Rural Experience Guidelines and a copy of the placement advertisement/s as handy references.
The Rural Experience Program funds the salary and program allowance for the duration of the placement. For permanent teachers, it’s important for your principal to know they can back-fill your position using your salary to pay a casual or temporary teacher. Endorsing principal’s need to be available to discuss your application with the principal advertising the placement.
Eligibility
Permanent teachers can apply for placements at their substantive level and will need to meet the eligibility requirements in the Rural Experience Guidelines.
Non-permanent teachers (temporary and casual) can apply for placements at teacher level and will need to meet the eligibility requirements in the Rural Experience Guidelines.
Accommodation
Teachers participating in the Rural Experience Program are ultimately responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
Prior to applying, it is suggested that teachers review the accommodation options provided by the principal of the rural experience school to determine if they may be suitable and also identify potential accommodation options themselves.
Incentives and Subsidies
In addition to their substantive salary, teachers participating in rural experience placements will receive a program allowance of $500 per week during the placement period. The allowance is only payable during teaching weeks and excludes school holidays unless the placement is for two or more consecutive terms within a school year and will cover the school holiday period within the placement period. The allowance is subject to tax.
Teachers will not be eligible for any further incentives or benefits attached to the school during the duration of the placement. Teachers will not be eligible for the NSW Department of Education's teacher housing rental subsidy.
Did you know?
- Each placement has a nominated contact person who you can contact directly with any questions about the placement.
- A placement may be advertised for up to four terms, but the principal may be willing to accept a teacher for a shorter duration than advertised. This should be requested in your application.
- These opportunities are short-term, there are ongoing positions available in Rural and Remote locations listed in JobFeed each week.
Further Information
Contact the Rural Experience Program team at ruralexperience@det.nsw.edu.au or phone 02 7814 3820.