Victorian teachers being offered financial incentives to work in bush, ease COVID-related staff shortages
May 31, 2022
Workforce pressures are plaguing Victoria's teaching sector, with the Department of Education and Training now providing financial incentives for staff to travel to regional areas for relief teaching.
Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, staff who hold a Victorian Institute of Teaching registration have been asked to list their availability – including retired and pre-service teachers.
An email obtained by the ABC, sent on May 18 by the department secretary Jenny Atta, said providing workforce support would be given "a higher priority" for the remainder of term two.
"Many schools are experiencing workforce pressures as a result of the continuing high level of COVID-19 transmission across the Victorian community," the email read.
