New Zealand’s early childhood teachers are being poached by the Australian state of Victoria, with promises of incentives and financial relocation support.

The ‘Best Start, Best Life’ campaign by the Victorian Government, encourages people to move from New Zealand to teach kindergarten, with the quote “come for the career, stay for the lifestyle”.

Kiwis are told there is a job for everyone, from the big city of metropolitan Melbourne to rural areas across the state. “With record investment and significant reforms there is a high demand for head teachers and teachers within kindergarten services,” the advertisement campaign states.

Location incentives for Victoria range from $9000 to $50,000, depending on the location and services.

New Zealand Ministry of Education workforce leader Anna Welanyk pointed out our overseas relocation grant provides up to $10,000 towards a teacher’s costs of moving to New Zealand.

“In any year we would expect some teachers to leave New Zealand and others to arrive from overseas to teach in New Zealand,” she said, adding that choice is based on many factors, including personal circumstances.

“We have confidence that New Zealand is actively positioning itself as a destination of choice for international teachers.”

Kiwi ECE teacher Imogen, who didn’t want her surname published, is one of the many people looking to make the move across the Ditch.

New Zealand Ministry of Education workforce leader Anna Welanyk pointed out our overseas relocation grant provides up to $10,000 towards a teacher’s costs of moving to New Zealand.

“In any year we would expect some teachers to leave New Zealand and others to arrive from overseas to teach in New Zealand,” she said, adding that choice is based on many factors, including personal circumstances.

“We have confidence that New Zealand is actively positioning itself as a destination of choice for international teachers.”

Kiwi ECE teacher Imogen, who didn’t want her surname published, is one of the many people looking to make the move across the Ditch.

The fears Kiwi ECE teachers will move comes after NZME revealed New Zealand healthcare workers are eyeing-up Australia, with a promise of relatively higher pay and better working conditions, with the backdrop of public service reform happening in Aotearoa.

Azaria Howell is a Wellington-based multimedia reporter with an eye across the region. She joined NZME in 2022 and has a keen interest in city council decisions, social housing and transport.