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º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Australian pre-service teachers can experience what it’s like to teach and live in country º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Australia, with access to a range of exciting opportunities.
Learn more about tours in country areas, country placement scholarships and the Teach First in Country program below.
to stay informed about current and future opportunities.
Benefits of teaching in the country
When you teach in regional º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Australia you’ll:
- grow your employment prospects
- make an impact on the lives of country students and communities
- get the chance to explore the state and learn more about the region you're teaching in
- have access to a range of incentives and support for country teachers and leaders.
Visit teaching opportunities in country º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Australia to hear from our country teachers and explore SA’s regions.
Teach First in Country positions for graduates
Pre-service teachers and recent graduates can secure a country teaching position early and receive extra benefits offered by the Teach First in Country program. Applications for 2026 are now closed.
Eligibility for the program
You must be:
- a teacher who graduated the previous year and hasn’t yet secured a teaching contract
- in your final year of study, graduating and eligible for teacher registration beginning the following year.
Benefits of the program
If you’re successful in winning a Teach First in Country position you’ll receive:
- a country teaching position commencing in January the year after you graduate
- a bonus country payment
- formal induction and networking events
- professional learning before you start your role
- in-class support when you begin teaching
- connections with the school or preschool prior to commencing in your role.
You’ll also receive the ongoing country incentives that apply to all eligible positions.
Take a country tour
Are you a pre-service teacher interested in a country teaching position?
Experience what it’s like to live and teach in the country by exploring regional º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Australia and spending valuable time at sites.
Tours will take place in weeks 6 to 8, term 2.
Eligibility for country tours
To attend a country tour, you must be a pre-service teacher studying at either:
- Charles Darwin University
- Flinders University
- Tabor College
- The University of Adelaide
- University of º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Australia.
You must also hold a current working with children check.
Tours are currently open to residents of º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Australia only. If you currently live interstate and are interested in working in country º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Australia, please get in touch with the team at teachincountry@sa.gov.au.
What’s included in a country tour
The tours include:
- visits to local schools and preschools who are currently recruiting for 2026
- information sessions from site leaders and early career teachers or mentor teachers
- exploring the local sights
- flights or bus travel to and from the region
- shared accommodation and food.
Tours will be in the following regions
- Riverland
- Mount Gambier
- Yorke Peninsula
- Port Augusta
- Roxby Downs
- Ceduna
- Whyalla
- Port Pirie.
Complete a to attend a country tour in term 2, 2025.
Email the team at teachincountry@sa.gov.au if you have any questions.
Country professional experience scholarships
Country professional experience scholarships are for pre-service teachers seeking a professional experience placement in country schools and preschools during the final years of their teaching qualification.
All requirements of the placement will be taken care of by our team including:
- liaising with your university regarding your requirements
- sourcing the placement site
- booking and paying for accommodation
- formal department welcome and induction events
- wrap around support while on placement including professional learning.
Eligibility for country professional experience scholarships
Each university has different requirements impacting when you can participate in the scholarship.
Applications are submitted for placements to be undertaken in the following year.
Applications are accepted from students studying at the following universities:
- Adelaide University (including both University of º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Australia and University of Adelaide students)
- Charles Darwin University
- Flinders University
- Tabor College.
The requirements for each university in 2026 will be confirmed when applications open.
Country professional experience scholarship inclusions
The scholarship includes:
- accommodation during your placement
- financial support towards travel from your home to your placement location at the start and end of your placement
- networking opportunities with other participants
- weekly check-ins from our country teaching team while on placement
- the opportunity to build a strong connection with the department.
Applications for 2026 scholarships will open on 1 July.
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