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Pacific bilingual immersion teaching allowance (PBITA)

This allowance recognises the additional skills teachers must have to deliver teaching and learning through a Pacific language in a Pacific bilingual or immersion context in a school or kura.

It is available to primary principals and teachers, secondary teachers, and area school principals and teachers, who meet the eligibility criteria in their respective employment agreements.

Adding the PBITA allowance in EdPay for teachers on the latest collective or IEA

  1. In EdPay, on the employee's Job screen go to the Allowance Entitlements section.
  2. Select Add/Update for the Pacific Bilingual Immersion Teaching Allowance at either Level 1 or 2.
Levels 1 and 2 have a base allowance, and an option to select a 3 or 6 years' service top-up. Level 3 has only a base allowance.

   3. Select Base Allowance or Base Allowance + 3 Years' Service or Base Allowance + 6 Years' Service.
   4. Enter a start and end date for the allowance and then select CONTINUE.

The start date is the date the teacher will take up their immersion teaching responsibilities in 2024. The end date must be in the same school year as the start date, i.e. no later than 27 January 2025. 

   5. The rate, funding code and department codes will display.
   6. Select SUBMIT.

Principals can apply for this allowance by sending an EP37p form.

Eligibility criteria

The allowance received will relate to:

  • the highest language level in which they are teaching
  • an additional allowance for either 3+ or 6+ years’ of service teaching in a Pacific bilingual immersion setting.

For the additional level 1 allowance after 3 or 6 years’ service, only include teaching service at Pacific bilingual immersion Level 1.

For the additional level 2 allowance after 3 or 6 years’ service, include any teaching service at Pacific bilingual immersion Level 1 or Level 2.

Allowance type Immersion level Criteria
All allowances
Holds a current teaching registration.
Is teaching in a Pacific bilingual or immersion unit/programme/class as defined by Ministry of Education. See the related links below for more information.
Base allowance Level 1 Is teaching in a Pacific langauage in a Pacific bilingual or immersion unit/programme/class at immersion level 1 (81–100%).


Level 2 Is teaching in a Pacific language in a Pacific bilingual or immersion unit/programme/class at immersion level 2 (51–80%)
Additional allowance: 3+ years service Level 1 Base allowance criteria plus: 3+ years of service teaching at immersion level 1 (81–100%)

Level 2 Base allowance criteria plus: 3+ years of service teaching at immersion level 1 (81–100%) or at level 2 (51–80%)*
Additional allowance: 6+ years service
Level 1 Base allowance criteria plus: 6+ years of service teaching at immersion level 1 (81–100%)

Level 2 Base allowance criteria plus: 6+ years of service teaching at immersion level 1 (81–100%) or at level 2 (51–80%)*

* Service for the payment of the level 2 allowance can include any teaching service at Pacific or bilingual immersion level 1 or level 2. Service for the payment at level 1 can include any teaching service at Pacific or bilingual immersion level 1 only.

Related links