A new primary schools charter designed to give new teaching graduates a fair go is looking to stamp out potentially illegal contracts.

The charter headed by the New Zealand Education Institute came about over concerns that just 15 per cent of new graduates are getting permanent teaching jobs.

NZEI's President Louise Green said many principals are unaware around the rules of employment, and the charter will guarantee that any beginning teacher employed by a school will receive the induction and mentoring they're entitled to.

"The idea of this charter is to be proactive and positive and to remind people around the rules and regulations for employing people."

She said it guarantees that any beginning teacher will receive the mentoring and support they're entitled to once employed by a school.

Principals are welcoming the charter because it clears up the rules around employment, she said.

"But you can't fix term up a n appointment just because you want to. It has to be because there's a special reason for that."

One reason could be a maternity contract.