The loading allowance for teachers in country South Australia will become an ongoing payment from 2024.

This means anyone who is eligible to receive the allowance in the 2024 school year, those who currently receive it, including those who move to a regional school or preschool, will receive the country incentive zone allowance for as long as they stay in the country.

Currently, the Country Incentive Zone Allowance expires after five or eight years, depending on the remoteness of the location teachers worked in.

This change will help attract teachers to work in the country, and support teacher retention in regional areas, ensuring staffing continuity to support student learning.

There is no application process – it will automatically be applied to fortnightly salary payments. Annual payments for zones include:

Zone 2 – $1989 (eg. Berri, Bordertown, Port Lincoln)

Zone 3 – $3508 (eg. Keith, Kingston, Robe)

Zone 4 – $6187 (eg. Hawker, Kimba, Roxby Downs)

Zone 5 – $10,023 (eg. Cooper Pedy, APY Lands)

Country teachers make up about a quarter of South Australia’s teachers in public schools and preschools.

Each year there are about 200 public teaching vacancies advertised in country schools and preschools, with the next recruitment round set to open in Term 3, which begins on 24 July.