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:

Complete a NOVO28t, NOVO28a, or NOVO28b form to apply for a Higher duties allowance, check the following instructions to see which of these forms apply to your situation:

  • NOVO28t - Higher duties allowance for teachers

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.

When, as a consequence of a principal being on leave, the school reallocates duties to other teachers, 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

  • NOVO28a - Higher duties allowance for teachers or principals acting in a Communities of Learning role

Use this form to pay a Higher duties allowance to a teacher or principal who is relieving in a Communities of Learning role while the incumbent employee is on leave.

  • NOVO28b - Higher duties allowance for a teacher or principal who is covering for another teacher or principal while they are in a Communities of Learning role

Use this form to pay a Higher duties allowance for a teacher or principal who is acting up to cover another teacher or principal who has been appointed to a Communities of Learning role.

Please ensure a leave form is submitted once you've completed the NOVO28t or NOVO28a if applicable. Email the forms to the Education Payroll Service Centre via the normal process. If you require further assistance, please contact Education Payroll.

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