Teaching in Papua New Guinea at Private Schools

The following information describe what expatriate teachers are expected to do when coming to teach in Papua New Guinea. Expatriate teachers sign a two or three year Contract of Employment with the IEA detailing employment conditions. A determination giving details of the current salary scales and allowances is issued to all new staff. Once an offer has been made and verbally accepted, a detailed letter of appointment is sent to each teacher being offered contract employment. This is a legally binding document until the contract has been signed.

A visa is required before initial entry to PNG. The IEA makes arrangements for the issuing of a visa after recruitment, but it is up to the individual recruit to contact the nearest PNG Consulate or High Commission to apply for the visa. The IEA provides information and guidance for this process. Visas can take a number of weeks to finalise as authorization has to come from the Department of Immigration in Port Moresby.

PNG has a localisation program that requires employers to employ suitably qualified Papua New Guinean citizens. Spouses of employees will find it virtually impossible to obtain employment unless they have high level qualifications in an industry where there is strong demand.

Leave fares for overseas recruits are paid for the teacher and accompanying dependants listed on the contract from the place of employment in PNG to the place of recreation leave specified in the contract, normally the place of recruitment.

Port Moresby

There are four ten week terms in the school year, which normally starts during the second half of January. There is one to two week vacation after first term, a three week vacation in July after second term and one week vacation after third term. Christmas vacation is around six weeks.

Most school days start at about 8am and finish between 2pm and 3pm, although this varies slightly from school to school.

Full school fees are paid for dependent children listed in the contract and attending IEA schools in PNG. For listed dependent children, between the ages of 11 years and 19 years, attending school overseas, school and boarding fees will be reimbursed up to the level of the fee approved for Port Moresby International School. Dependent children attending secondary schools overseas are also entitled to an annual leave fare up to the value of the airfare they would have received had they been resident with their parents in PNG. The education allowance and leave fare are not normally payable if one of the parents is resident overseas.

There is a settlement allowance given to overseas recruited teachers on arrival in PNG. The allowance is to cover genuine relocation costs (e.g. packing materials, shipping costs, visa costs etc). Documentation for this allowance is not necessary. To claim more than the allocated amount, it is necessary to seek prior approval from the IEA and fully document expenses. There are limitations, so it is advisable to check before finalising details of shipping, e.g. the IEA does not pay for the shipment of furniture (which is provided), vehicles, boats or pets.