If you are eager to experience teaching in a rural and remote setting, the Rural and Remote Teacher Experience Program (RRTEP) might be the perfect opportunity for you. It is a great way to explore the range of professional, personal and lifestyle benefits offered through working in rural and remote communities.
About the program
The RRTEP provides a 1-week experience in a rural or remote state school that is organised and funded by the department. The program includes a 1-day orientation with the host school, a weekend living in the community and five days of teaching in place of the host teacher. The in-school experience for classified roles will be negotiated with the host location.
Host schools welcome participants to the community and provide a local orientation, as well as an introduction to school priorities, policies and practices.
The host regions available are:
- Far North Queensland
- North Queensland
- Central Queensland
- Darling Downs South West.
The program is delivered on dates that are mutually agreed upon by the participant and their home school, the host school and region, and the Department of Education.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must be a current Queensland state primary, secondary, special or distance education school teacher located in the
North Coast,
Metropolitan North,
Metropolitan South or
South East regions, or in other regional metropolitan centres including Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and Toowoomba.
Eligible teachers in these locations include:
- teachers
- school principals
- deputy principals
- heads of campus
- heads of program
- guidance officers
- community teachers
- teachers working in state delivered kindergartens
- regional school sport officers
- teachers in Education Officers Special Duties (EOSD) roles.
Preference will be given to applicants with a strong desire to pursue a rural or remote teaching or promotional opportunity in the near future. Temporary teachers are encouraged to apply and will be considered if their contract covers the experience period.
Participant benefits
As a successful applicant, you get the opportunity to live and work at a school in a rural or remote location. You will be matched with hosts in rural or remote schools in a similar role.
The experience will showcase the benefits of working and living in a rural or remote location, highlight opportunities for upcoming vacancies and career progression, and allow you to develop ongoing professional relationships with a host school.
Should you decide to relocate to a rural or remote school,
additional benefits may be afforded to you, such as:
- greater opportunities to undertake leadership roles
- greater involvement in planning and management within the school
- access to
incentives, benefits and locality allowances
- transfer and relocation assistance
- access to employee housing
- accelerated transfer points
- being an active and valued role in the local community.
How to apply
As part of the application process, you will be asked to upload a short approval email from your principal confirming their support for your participation in the program. Principals should seek approval from their school supervisor.
You and your principal or school supervisor will be contacted should you be selected to participate.
All applications will remain current until otherwise advised.
Express your interest
More information
If you are an interested state school teacher you can search on OnePortal (Department of Education staff only) for 'rural and remote' or email
ruralandremote@qed.qld.gov.au.
We are hosting an online live chat on Monday 21 October 2024 5–6pm where you can learn more about the program and the expression of interest process.
Register to secure your spot.
Further information is also available:
Sarah's story
Hear Sarah tell her story about leaving the fast-paced lifestyle on the Sunshine Coast, to find a very welcoming community and teaching experience in Far North Queensland.
More stories about rural and remote teaching are available on the
Department of Education YouTube channel.