Relief teachers

Relief teachers play a vital role in Northern Territory Government schools.

Relief teachers ensure continuity of learning when classroom teachers are unavailable. They provide flexibility and immediate support to schools across urban, remote and very remote communities, helping maintain stable learning environments for students.

Relief teachers can arrange work directly with schools and are not required to apply through the Teacher Recruitment Pool.

However, teachers who choose to apply to the pool can select relief teaching as their preference, and the Teach in the Territory team can help connect suitable applicants with schools once compliance checks are completed.

In order to be employed as a relief teacher, you must meet the following requirements before commencing work:

• NT teacher registration
• NT working with children clearance (Ochre card)

To reach out to schools directly to express interest use the NT Education Directory to find contact details.

• Tip: Include a current resume and the names of at least two referees (ideally principals or assistant principals). If you're a recent graduate, your final practicum report can take the place of referee reports.

Stage 1: Application submission for the teacher recruitment pool

This is a pool of teacher candidates that schools can access to find teachers suitable for their vacancies. 

To join, register an account in eRecruit, search in the NT government jobs website for job vacancy number 104487, and complete the online application form. Select relief teaching as your preference in the application.

Your teacher application for the recruitment pool must consist of a current curriculum vitae and at least two recent referees (at principal or assistant principal level). If you are a graduate, referee reports are not required because your final practicum report is sufficient.

Stage 2: Pre-assessment

If you apply to join the recruitment pool, the Teach in the Territory team will complete a pre-assessment.

In the pre-assessment, the team will check your application details, supporting documents and contact your referees.

If you are deemed eligible, you will receive an email advising that you are now active in the recruitment pool.

Once you are active in the recruitment pool schools across the NT can use the system to target their recruitment and find teachers suitable for their vacancies.

Stage 3: Final assessment

A school may contact you directly for further assessment, such as an interview or more referee checks.

2026 Relief Teacher rates

In the Northern Territory, relief teachers are employed directly through school councils and are not departmental employees.