The NSW government says teacher vacancies in the state electorate of Barwon dropped by over a quarter over the past twelve months.

Numbers released this week by the government show a decrease of 27 per cent from Term 3 2023 to the same time this year.

The electorate covers the majority of the Western Plains shires, barring Narromine, although it also includes regional population centres Narrabri, Wilcannia and Broken Hill, which dilutes local figures.

“The sustained drop in vacancies shows we’re making progress on addressing the teacher shortages left by the former NSW Liberal National Government, ensuring we have qualified teachers in every classroom to support student outcomes," NSW premier Chris Minns said.

“There has never been a better time to consider a teaching job outside of the major cities."

The government says its 2023 Temporary Workforce Transition Initiative saw more than 4,800 temporary teachers and 4,700 temporary school support staff become permanent employees in rural, remote, and regional schools.

The NSW government has been trying to get more teachers into rural classrooms. IMAGE: Western Plains App/ River McCrossen

The government has also provided recruitment bonuses for key roles, rent subsidies and relocation support to draw educators to rural areas.

However, Condobolin High School Parents and Citizens president, Cecilia Whippy says she hasn't noticed a drop in local teaching vacancies.

"We always have trouble trying to fill positions," said Ms Whippy, who also sits on a local committee that interviews potential new teachers.

"A lot of them have come from Sydney, some have come from Canberra, Melbourne. They've come from everywhere.

 "We're fortunate that the ones who have been here have stayed, but the young ones come and go.

"Because of the travel and them being away from their family, there's really nothing that can help to bring them out. It's just a really hard situation to try and solve.

"They think, 'oh this is boring.'"

The former primary school canteen manager arrived in Condobolin from Sydney around 30 years ago and now has grandchildren at the high school.

She admits she found it hard to settle in at first.

"But then I found things to do. You get involved in the community, do volunteer work, and then all of a sudden you get busy. And I think people just need to do that, make friends in the community.

"Before you know it, your weekend's gone and it's Monday and you go back to work again. You're not sitting home thinking 'this is boring, I got nothing to do.'"

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