Teacher Border Exceptions – July 2021 Update

We want to share an update from our end, including everything we currently know about the new border exception for 300 teachers as announced by the New Zealand Government on 3 July 2021.

Here’s what we know so far from the Ministry of Education:

• 300 overseas qualified teachers will be able to come to New Zealand under a new class border exception.
• The MOE will prioritise ECE services and schools with the greatest recruitment needs.
• Timing for exceptions seems to be focused on ensuring that schools and ECE centres have the teachers they need to start the 2022 academic year.
• Exceptions are only being given to New Zealand registered teachers with a current practising certificate from the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
• The relocation grant that was previously available to support Overseas Teachers moving to New Zealand is no longer in place.
• Ministry of Education Border Exception website.

Key Dates:

• July 2021: Applications open for returning teachers. To be eligible for a border exception, these teachers must be overseas currently, have already been teaching in New Zealand prior to the 19th of March 2020, with a previous employment agreement that is still active.
• September 2021: Schools and early learning centres that want to employ other teachers (including those who have current job offers in New Zealand, made since the 19th of March 2020) will be eligible to apply for a border exception.

Here’s what teachers need to know:

• For Teachers in New Zealand: If you have a partner/dependent children overseas who have been unable to get to New Zealand since the borders closed you will be able to apply for these family members to gain entry. No details are available at the moment on how the family reunification border exception process will work.
• For Overseas Teachers: Teachers are unable to apply for border exceptions directly. Applications must come from the school or early learning centre where you have been appointed.
• Do you have your Teacher Registration? You may like to apply for your teacher registration or renew your practising certificate.

Here’s what early learning services, schools, and kura need to know:

• Eligibility Criteria Applies. The MOE is currently refining these criteria.
• State or state-integrated schools and kura that are Decile 1-3, considered ‘hard to staff’, or require STEM teachers will be eligible. Early learning services that are Decile 8-10 on the health deprivation index will also be eligible.
• You must demonstrate that you have exhausted recruitment options in the New Zealand market.

ANZUK Education and you:

For our overseas teachers, we understand it can be really challenging for all of you who have had your exciting plans changed as travel restrictions to New Zealand have been implemented.

We stay in continual and close contact with the various government agencies that work with teachers coming to New Zealand. As more certainty develops about these border exceptions, we’ll keep you updated through our newsletters, emails, and on our website.

If you have unsubscribed from ANZUK Education newsletters, please contact our Candidate Care Team (careteam@epeducation.co.nz) or your consultant to have these delivered to you again.

Our main focus over the coming months will be working with teachers to find suitable work opportunities in New Zealand. ANZUK Education is already working with schools and ECE centres who are wanting to employ teachers with high demand skills or those training to start work in New Zealand as soon as possible.

The number of vacancies will increase as 2021 progresses. Keep an eye on our job board for suitable vacancies.