Voluntary workforce bonding

The voluntary workforce bonding scheme is designed to recognise teachers who choose to enter teaching in schools and subjects where there is high need. Eligible teachers will receive an annual taxable amount of $3,500 for up to five years. Payments will be made at the end of a teacher’s third, fourth, and fifth year of teaching.

This payment will assist teachers in paying back student loans, but will be paid to any teacher meeting the eligibility criteria, regardless of whether they have a loan.

Teachers will not be required to sign an up-front “bonding” agreement, simply begin teaching in a specified school or subject. In order to receive payments, teachers will need to apply after three years of teaching, and then annually for the fourth and fifth years. No payments will be made prior to completion of three years of teaching service.

The scheme begins in 2009, with first payments to be made to teachers at the end of 2011.

For information on how this scheme will interact with TeachNZ’s scholarships, consult the TeachNZ website.

To view the list of identified schools or for further information about the scheme see frequently asked questions.