Higher duties allowance
An allowance for a teacher who is either acting in a position higher than their own or acting as principal. The allowance is paid in accordance with the terms of their employment agreement. See the Ministry of Education's website:
How to apply
If a principal/teacher is going on leave, has resigned, or is acting in a higher position, use the NOVO28t form to pay Higher duties allowance for teachers who are acting in a higher position.
If more than one teacher is acting in a higher position due to a principal being on leave, you will need to submit more than one NOVO28t for teachers acting in different tiers.
For example, Janette is a principal at school, Paul is a senior teacher, and Jo is a teacher.
When Janette goes on leave, Paul is acting in Janette's role. You will need to submit a NOVO28t to pay Higher duties allowance to Paul for acting up in Janette's role.
Due to Paul being released to undertake the principal's role, Jo is acting in Paul's senior teacher role. You will need to submit a separate NOVO28t to pay Higher duties allowance to Jo for acting up in Paul's role.
Note: if a teacher is covering for a principal, you do not need to fill out 'field 16' ($ Value of HDA), Education Payroll will calculate this for you.
If the teacher is covering for another teacher, who is in a higher position other than principal, you need to provide the value of the Higher duties allowance per annum in 'field 16'.
For the value of 'field 16', please see the relevant clauses for a quick reference.
Acting in a higher position other than principal
For Secondary teachers, see clause 4.16 of the Secondary Teachers' Collective Agreement
For Primary teachers, see clause 3.13 of the Primary Teachers' Collective Agreement
For Area teachers, see clause 3.12 of the Area Teachers' Collective Agreement
Acting Principal
For Secondary acting principals, see clause 4.15 of the Secondary Teachers' Collective Agreement
For Primary acting principals, see clause 3.14 of the Primary Teachers' Collective Agreement
For Area acting principals, see clause 3.11 of the Area Teachers' Collective Agreement
Kāhui Ako | Communities of Learning allowances
From 28 January 2026, funding for Kāhui Ako | Communities of Learning allowances will no longer be available except for employees:
- identified by the Ministry as an exception, or
- whose appointment extends beyond the start of the school year and whose employment agreement has salary protection provisions.
We have removed the application forms for these allowances from our website. However, if you need to apply for these allowances retrospectively, please contact your payroll advisor to ask for the relevant form.
- NOVO28a - Higher duties allowance for teachers or principal acting in a communities of learning role
- NOVO28b - Higher duties allowance for a teacher or principal covering for another teacher or principal in a communities of learning role
Related links
How to: