Principal Recruitment Allowance

Information, contact details to apply, and the downloadable guide for the Principal Recruitment Allowance.

Any board may apply for the allowance. The school and principal must each meet a range of separate eligibility criteria outlined in the Guide which can be downloaded from this page.

• Overview
• Information for job applicants
• How to apply
• Further information

Overview

Boards that face significant challenges with recruiting a principal can apply to the Ministry of Education to be considered for the ability to offer this allowance, as part of their recruitment process.

Any school board may apply, not just those that belong to a Community of Learning | Kāhui Ako. The school and principal must each meet a range of separate eligibility criteria.

The allowance is on top of other remuneration offered by the employing board. The recipient is expected to provide the leadership needed to improve a school’s student achievement.

Information for job applicants

If you are applying for a principal vacancy that has been advertised with the allowance, you should be aware that:

• the fixed term allowance attaches to a permanent principal position
• both the school and the applicant must meet separate eligibility criteria for the allowance to be payable
• the initial period of the allowance is for a fixed three year term. A board may seek approval to renew the allowance for a further period of up to two years (the allowance can be renewed twice)
• approval for payment (or renewal) of the allowance is discretionary and may be subject to conditions imposed by the Secretary for Education
• consideration will be given to each expression of interest on its merits
• the allowance is on top of other remuneration offered by the employing board
• the allowance will end if the principal ceases to be employed as a principal at the school.

How to apply

Boards that face significant challenges can apply to the Ministry of Education to be considered for eligibility to offer this allowance as part of the recruitment process. 

Any school board may apply, not just those that belong to a Community of Learning | Kāhui Ako.  The school and principal must each meet a range of separate eligibility criteria.   

The allowance is on top of other remuneration offered by the employing board. The recipient is expected to provide the leadership needed to improve a school’s student achievement.

The Principal Recruitment Allowance Guide for Schools and Kura [PDF, 163 KB] sets out the eligibility criteria and includes assessment intimation. It also sets out the expectations of principals who receive the allowance.

To be considered for eligibility your employer must fill out the expression of interest form [PDF, 132 KB] and email it to PRA.Mailbox@education.govt.nz

Last reviewed: 26 April 2022 Has this been useful? Give us your feedback