On this page: What is the CTP? | What is the RTS? | Employment opportunities
What is the Country Teaching Program?
There are 144 regional and rural schools as part of the Country Teaching Program (CTP). Schools are determined suitable for inclusion in the Country Teaching Program based on the criteria set out in Schedule E – Country and Metropolitan Teaching Program Criteria of the General Agreement 2023 (Schools).
A list of CTP schools and their allowances are listed in Schedule D – Country and Metropolitan Teaching of the General Agreement 2023 (Schools).
What is the Remote Teaching Service?
There are 37 remote community schools in WA where you can work as a teacher. Remote schools service mainly Aboriginal communities. These communities are diverse and rich in language, culture, belief and custom.
The Remote Teaching Service (RTS) includes a range of incentives and provisions to encourage teachers to take up positions in regional WA.
You can see where the remote schools are located by using the interactive map found here.
Apply for the Remote Connection program
Teachers who want to decide if working in the RTS is right for them can apply for the Remote Connection program. It is an opportunity to work in a Remote Teaching Service school for up to two weeks.
By participating, you will learn about the benefits of a career in the RTS. You will spend up to two weeks as a teacher in one of 37 RTS schools in one of these education regions: Goldfields, Midwest, Kimberley and Pilbara.
Information about the Remote Connection program can be found here on Ikon.
You can access more information about individual schools on Schools Online.
You can also join the RTS Connect community to hear from the teachers and learn more about the RTS.
Employment opportunities
Trial placements for CTP and RTS
For the life of the General Agreement 2023, there will be three trials to attract experience to our regional schools. Details can be found in the Exchange of Letters A, B and C, on pages 288-292 of the Schools Red Book 2023.
Metropolitan to regional secondments
Permanent teaching staff at metropolitan schools will have an opportunity to be temporarily deployed to a teaching position in an identified regional school, for a period of three years, with a guaranteed right of return to their substantive position.
Growing our leaders in country schools
Permanent deputy principals, heads of learning areas, program coordinators or teachers appointed to a metropolitan school will have the opportunity to be temporarily appointed to a regional principal position for three years, with a guaranteed right of return to their substantive position.
Level 3.3 Classroom Teacher
This trial aims to attract Level 3 Classroom Teachers to those schools in most need and provide additional support and expertise in the priority areas of curriculum, behaviour or disability. This position will include a salary increment, 0.1 FTE time and a guaranteed right of return when completing this role. Teachers will be released as agreed by their school for up to three years.
Country Teaching Program
Jobs are advertised on the WA Government Jobs website. If you have issues submitting your application phone the Department of Education Recruitment system support on
(08) 9264 8666.
Apply to the fixed-term opportunities pool
You can express interest in part-time and full-time fixed term positions by applying to the DoE teacher pool.
If you are a graduate teacher (in your first two years) you can apply to the graduate teacher pool.
To apply:
- Do a keyword search for “teacher pool” on the WA Government Jobs website.
- Complete the online application and attach any required documents.
- While completing the application you will be asked to nominate schools where you would be interested in working. The DoE recommends only nominating schools where you would accept a position.
Note:
- If you are a permanent staff member, your principal or line manager will need to approve your release before you can accept a fixed-term appointment at another school or location.
- In addition to applying to the pools, you should also apply directly for advertised positions.
- If you select a rural, regional or remote school you can receive extra benefits. Refer to the Department of Education – Rural, regional and remote benefits calculator.
- If your details change, log in to the WA Government Jobs website and update your information and attachments.
- Remove your application if you no longer wish to apply.
Apply for an advertised position
- All advertised teaching vacancies are on the WA Government Jobs website.
- If you apply for these positions, a local selection panel will consider your application.
- Use the application guidelines attached to each teaching vacancy to guide your application. You may also find the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers useful.
- Tailor your application to each advertised position. Demonstrate how you can meet the specific requirements of the role within the school. Read the job advertisement carefully. You can find out more about the school by visiting the school’s website, their social media pages and Schools Online.
Apply for a transfer
If you are a permanent teacher, to be considered for positions in other schools you can apply to the teacher transfer pool.
Principals with vacancies that match your qualifications, skills and experience in your preferred locations will be able to consider your application.
Remote Teaching Service
You can apply for a teaching job in a remote school in the following ways:
- Apply to the Remote Teaching Service pool.
- Apply for advertised vacancies by individual schools.
- Apply to the fixed term or graduate teacher appointment pool.
To apply for an RTS position, you need to meet the eligibility requirements listed on the WA Government Jobs website. Permanent teachers apply to the RTS pool using the internal jobs search.
Attend a Remote Teaching Service induction
The DoE invites newly appointed RTS staff to attend an induction.
The RTS induction is a requirement for:
- Newly appointed teachers.
- Existing staff who may not have had an opportunity to attend.
- Existing staff who are moving to a new remote location.
The comprehensive two-day program will prepare you for working in remote schools. It covers topics such as:
- Teaching and living in a remote context.
- Working with English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D) learners.
- Benefits and allowances, including housing and transport.
- Work health and safety.
- Cultural responsiveness and the Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework.
- Wellbeing.
The DoE will email you with details of the induction and you can register on the Professional Learning Information System (PLIS).
Inductions are held before the start of each school year. The RTS requires all new staff to attend an induction. The DoE expects this induction will complement local induction activities.
Remote Teaching Service schools
Apply to the teacher flying squad
Teachers can apply to the teacher flying squad to fill short term vacancies in rural, regional and remote schools. Generally, these appointments are for periods of between four and 10 weeks in a range of schools with differing needs.
The role requires you to:
- Be able to quickly and readily engage students using a range of skills.
- Have strong curriculum knowledge.
- Be able to use effective classroom management strategies.
Determine eligibility to apply
To be eligible you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold appropriate teaching qualification/s.
- Live in WA.
- Be eligible to live and work in Australia.
- Have a current Teacher Registration Board of WA registration.
- Be able to get a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.
- Be willing and available to accept appointments ranging from 20 days to one term.
If you hold a permanent position with the DoE, you must have written approval from your line manager to take part in the teacher flying squad. More information about eligibility is available in the teacher flying squad advertisement on the WA Government Jobs website.
Review teaching locations
You may be offered positions at any school in regional WA. Most common locations include the Goldfields, Midwest and Pilbara education regions.
You can access more information about individual schools at Schools Online.
Flying squad teachers receive free housing during appointments and free travel to and from locations.
Determine flying squad category
There are three categories of flying squad you can apply to: category one, category two and the permanent teacher appointment pool. You will need to work out which you are most suited for.
Category one
The teacher flying squad category one is advertised at certain times of the year depending on workforce requirements, are based on merit selection and will have an end date. In this category you will be directed to provide support in regional and remote schools as needed.
Appointments are up to two years in length. Once you have completed two years’ continuous service you may be permanently appointed. This is subject to a probation period.
You will also receive a dislocation allowance of up to $16,500 per annum. This is in lieu of any other location-based allowances for teachers at the same schools.
Category one positions are advertised as required on the WA Government Jobs website.
Category two (short term appointment pool)
You can apply to be a part of the category two teacher flying squad at any time during the school year. You need to be available to provide immediate relief so teachers who are not already appointed should apply. Placement to the pool is not a guarantee of an offer of employment.
You can accept or decline positions when offered and you can withdraw from this recruitment pool at any time.
You will receive any location specific allowances applicable to the school of appointment. This will be on top of your salary as outlined in The School Education Act Employees’ (Teachers and Administrators) General Agreement 2023.
Note: Applications to other recruitment processes remain active if you accept a category two teacher flying squad position.
Teacher flying squad permanent teacher pool
You can apply at any time. Applications received mid-year will be for the remainder of the school year of which you applied.
Once placed in the pool, teachers can be offered a contract of up to 12 months within a school year.
Applicants will be placed at different regional and remote schools for the duration of their tenure. You will not be able to decline placements.
Apply to the teacher flying squad
To apply to the teacher flying squad you need to submit:
- A resume (category one and two – maximum four pages / permanent teacher pool – maximum of five pages) with details of two professional referees. One referee should be your current or most recent line manager.
- Category one and two – a copy of your academic transcripts from your education degree. You should also include transcripts from any other qualifications.
- Category one and two – proof of eligibility to work in Australia. This could be your birth certificate, passport or appropriate work visa.
- Permanent teacher pool – written approval from your principal to release you.
Once you have these documents ready you can submit your application on the WA Government Jobs website.
Teacher flying squad permanent teachers – view advert.
Category one positions are advertised as required on the WA Government Jobs website.
