Schools finder's fee for recruiting teachers from overseas

Overseas Finders Fee: Finders fee for recruiting teachers from overseas

Schools and Early Learning Services recruiting returning New Zealand trained teachers and internationally trained teachers moving to New Zealand, may be eligible for funding support of $3,450 (GST inclusive) per payment, for incurred recruitment costs.

There are 1360 Overseas Finders Fee grants available from 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2023. We will let you know after applying if there are allocations remaining.

Is our school eligible?

The OFF is available for recruitment of qualified overseas teachers (both those New Zealand trained and overseas trained) who are registered and certificated by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Eligibility criteria:

The teacher must be registered and certified by the Teaching Council of New Zealand

The teacher’s role must be starting from 1st July 2022 – 30th June 2023 and their contract must be at least 12 months in a:

• State or state-integrated school (excluding independent schools)
• Licensed early learning centre (limited to one place per centre, per year).
• The teacher appointed must have not entered New Zealand under the Border Exception Scheme, which is now closed.

The school or Early Learning service incurred recruitment costs (excluding travel costs) in association with the appointment.

Any overseas teacher must not have been teaching in NZ school or licensed early learning service for the 12 months prior to their start date.

How to apply

Use the online application form at the top right corner of this page to apply. You will be required to upload the following documents:

• Evidence of the teacher arriving in New Zealand and starting their role (e.g. boarding pass or tenancy agreement)

You will be notified of the outcome within 6 weeks of receipt of your application.

Please note, the Ministry of Education will use the information collected on this form together with the information held in Education Service Payroll to:

• consider your application for a Finder’s Fee payment
• administer your payment(s).

For these purposes, the Ministry of Education may share your information with your employing school and the Inland Revenue Department. The Ministry may contact the Teaching Council to request details of your registration status. The Ministry may also use this information for statistical and research purposes.

Under the Privacy Act 2020 you have the right to request access to all information held about yourself and to request corrections to that information. 

Other allowances

Overseas teachers may be eligible for the Overseas Relocation, please see here for further information: Overseas Relocation Grant (ORG) eligibility criteria | TeachNZ