- Regional Attraction and Retention Incentive extended for 2027
- Latest investment brings total funding for the program to $47.9 million since 2023
- Forms part of the Cook Labor Government's commitment to delivering high-quality education in regional and remote WA
The Cook Labor Government will provide targeted funding of almost $4 million to extend the temporary Regional Attraction and Retention Incentive for the 2027 school year to help support regional and remote schools in hard-to-staff locations.
Up to$5,250 is available for eligible teachers and school administrators working in designated rural and remote public schools.
Since it was introduced in 2023, the temporary initiative has supported 68 schools across the State to attract and retain teachers, from One Arm Point Remote Community School in the Kimberley to Tom Price Senior High School in the Pilbara, and Merredin College in the Wheatbelt.
This latest investment brings total funding for the Regional Attraction and Retention Incentive to $47.9 million.
The incentive will be paid in two instalments. The first will be paid at the start of the 2027 school year, or on commencement, and the second will be paid to staff remaining at the school at the end of the 2027 school year.
This investment is in addition to significant increases to district allowances for regional public sector workers, including staff working in regional schools, with eligible employees receiving increases of up to $7,187 this year followed by ongoing annual increases.
The temporary Regional Attraction and Retention Incentive will continue in 2027 as a transitional measure to provide stability for regional and remote schools while other regional teacher incentives are established.
It also complements initiatives including additional travel concessions for staff in the Pilbara, Kimberley, and Goldfields; an air-conditioning subsidy for eligible employees; and salary increases for teachers and school leaders in all Western Australian public schools.
The initiative forms part of the Cook Labor Government's commitment to ensuring all Western Australian students have access to a high-quality education, no matter where they live.
As stated by Education Minister Sabine Winton:
"The Cook Labor Government is focused on ensuring schools in regional and remote Western Australia can attract and retain the quality teachers they need to give students the best possible education.
"As a former teacher of 27 years who taught in Norseman, Fitzroy Crossing, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, I know how life-changing teaching in regional WA can be.
"We want more great teachers to make the move to regional WA and choose to stay, and this incentive is one of the practical ways that we're supporting that.
"By extending the temporary Regional Attraction and Retention Incentive for another year, our government is helping regional and remote schools build strong and stable school communities."
