The PRA is an additional payment that is paid to a principal and available to a board with a current principal vacancy where the school meets the eligibility requirements. To be eligible the school must meet a range of criteria which include having significant challenges with:
- Educational performance of the school’s students: This could be demonstrated by persistently low student achievement, inadequate curriculum management, the absence of adequate policies and processes for assessment and staffing issues that may influence student performance.
- Student welfare: This may be evidenced by the lack of policy to ensure student welfare, health and safety, high truancy, suspension, exclusion and expulsion rates.
- The operation of a school: These may include problems with financial, personnel and/or asset management, inadequate planning and policy setting, failure to comply with legislation.
More information about the PRA process and complete school eligibility criteria is available in
- Information sheet: The Principal Recruitment Allowance
- Principal Recruitment Allowance Guide for Schools and Kura
- Principal Recruitment Allowance Checklist
Please note the final decision on whether an applicant is eligible to receive the PRA is determined by the New Appointments National Panel (NANP) Adviser.
Principal Recruitment Allowance (PRA): Recruitment resources
These documents are for assisting schools with eligibility to offer the PRA with selecting and appointing the role. If you require assistance, please contact our Employment Advisory and Support Centre.
