TOWNSVILLE CATHOLIC EDUCATION
...Mount Isa
TOWNSHIP GUIDE
THINKING ABOUT TEACHING IN
Mount Isa?
Not only is Mount Isa Western Queensland’s largest township, it is a vibrant multicultural city, a regional hub for business and is surrounded by a number of natural wonders, all within short driving distances.
As a Townsville Catholic Education (TCE) teacher, you also have the choice of working within three amazing school communities and will be eligible for our Incentive Payments Remote Area Staff Scheme (IPRASS).
This guide has been developed to share with you the benefits you can receive as well as assist you with your research on what would make Mount Isa the perfect move for you!
MOUNT ISA IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE VIA SEALED ROADS, RAIL & PLANE
QANTAS Brisbane & Townsville to Mount Isa
VIRGIN Brisbane to Mount Isa
REX Townsville to Mount Isa (not direct)
GREYHOUND Mount Isa to Brisbane, Townsville & Tennant Creek
QUEENSLAND RAIL
The Inlander service between Mount Isa & Townsville
A City like no other
Mount Isa has the facilities of a city but the feel and pace of a country town.
There is always something to do if you are willing to embrace the community and try new experiences.
Festivals, tourism, retail, sport… Mount Isa has something for everyone.
Teaching in rural and remote locations is a rewarding experience that can take you places. Many of the school leadership positions across our 29 Catholic schools within the Townsville Diocese are filled with highly skilled and resilient leaders who have either started or spent time during their careers working in the regions.
Kath Tarttelin, Principal of one of Townsville largest Catholic primary schools, Holy Spirit Catholic School, Cranbrook and foundation Principal of St Clare’s Catholic School said her experience teaching in Mount Isa is one of her best career memories.
“Teaching in remote and rural areas of our diocese has not only been professionally and socially rewarding, but provided me with avenues very early in my teaching career to pursue my interest in leading in different areas of school life. I honestly believe I am the leader I am today due to the amazing opportunities and support I received in the early days of my teaching career out West!”
St Kieran’s Catholic School
Short Street, Pioneer W: skmtsv.catholic.edu.au
St Kieran’s Catholic School offers Prep to Year 6 and has a strong commitment to communication.
Good Shepherd Catholic College
Cnr Mary & Camooweal Streets W: goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au
Good Shepherd Catholic College provides secondary education for boys and girls from Year 7 to Year 12.
St Joseph’s Catholic School
50-60 Twenty Third Avenue W: sjmtsv.catholic.edu.au
St Joseph’s Catholic School is a co-educational school of Prep to Year 6 students as well as a Kindergarten located within the school.
Schools
Mount Isa is home to three Catholic schools.
Our mission is to provide services to our Catholic school communities which support them in achieving quality outcomes for students and in promoting the ongoing development of Catholic Education.
IPRASS Benefits
Travel Allowance
As a teacher in Mount Isa, you will receive an additional $2,000 annually, distributed across your fortnightly pay to assist with your travel costs or adventures to further explore the region. Teachers also receive additional leave days to allow for travel.
Wellbeing Allowance
As a teacher in Mount Isa, you will receive an additional $1,200 annually, distributed across your fortnightly pay, to use for your wellbeing. This could be saving up for a flight or a wellness retreat, using for a gym or club membership or simply towards enjoying your western experience.
Allowance
As a teacher in Mount Isa, you are eligible for an IPRASS Allowance which increases annually for four years. Once you reach the maximum allowance, you will remain on that level for each year you remain working within the region.
If you choose to transfer between IPRASS locations, you will also retain your existing years of service and equivalent IPRASS allowance within the new region. TCE IPRASS locations include Cloncurry, Winton, Hughenden and Collinsville.
Living & Accommodation
Another benefit TCE offers for teachers within Mount Isa is a Living & Accommodation Allowance (LAA). Received fortnightly, the LAA sees an additional $350* (full time rate) to put towards choosing the perfect accommodation for your needs.
Before you make the move to Mount Isa, don’t forget to keep information and documentation you will need for your application for residential tenancy with you. Rental applications and agreements require documentation such as bank statements, phone/ electricity bills, rates notices, birth certificate and passports. *Allowance for leadership positions may differ.
Real Estate
There are a number of great housing options in Mount Isa, however real estate can be competitive. To assist you in finding the home that best suits you, here are a list of local agents.
REAL ESTATE AGENCIES
City and Country Realty
23 Miles Street
P: 07 4743 9499
W: cityandcountryrealty.com.au
Isa Realty
26 Brilliant Street
P: 0447 165 642
W: realestate.com.au/agency/ isa-realty-RHFOFA
Jays
77 Camooweal Street
P: 07 4744 8000
W: jaysre.com.au
Matter Property
3 Miles Street
P: 07 4743 5911
W: matterproperty.homes
Vivid Realty
73 Camooweal Street
P: 07 4749 5550
W: vividrealty.com.au
4825 Realty
21c Rodeo Drive
P: 07 4749 3733
W: 4825realty.com.au
Realestate.com.au is a helpful website to search for rental vacancies, costs and availability.
SHORT TERM STAY
Leichhardt Accommodation
3 Camooweal Street
P: 07 4743 3323
W: leichhardtaccommodation.com/about
Fourth Avenue Motor In
14 Fourth Avenue
P: 0447 433 477
W: fourthavemotorinn.com
Mt Isa City Motel
1a Isa Street
P: 0467 536 511
W: mtisacitymotel.com.au
Accommodation@Isa
149 West Street
P: 07 4749 2441
W: accommodationisa.com.au
Relocating Assistance
Another area where TCE will assist in a smooth transition to Mount Isa is by covering personal and family relocation costs.
You and your family covered
TCE will cover the cost for you and any additional household members to relocate either through flights from your current residence to Mount Isa or reimburse all reasonable costs you incur travelling by road up to a maximum limit.
Motor vehicle covered
If travelling by air, TCE will also cover the cost of one motor vehicle being transported to Mount Isa.
When planning the transportation of a vehicle consider the delivery date to ensure you have access to transportation when you arrive.
Travelling through the wet season
If you are planning your trip during the wet season, please check Queensland Traffic or RACQ Road Conditions for information on current road conditions.
qldtraffic.qld.gov.au
racq.com.au/cars-and-driving/safety-on-the-road/road-conditions
Removalist covered
TCE will also assist in relocation of your household belongings by allocating up to $6,000 plus $500 for each additional member of the household for removal and relocation of household items.
When planning your relocation, if you require furniture once in Mount Isa please note that some items can take longer to be supplied if not in stock. You may need to consider purchasing these goods prior to moving.
Townsville Catholic Education has a number of preferred suppliers for relocating household items and vehicles to Mount Isa.
You have an option to obtain quotes from two companies on our preferred supplier list and provide these quotes. TCE will arrange direct payment to the most appropriate supplier. Payment will be made up to the capped amount and any additional charges will be required to be paid by the employee.
Alternatively, you can arrange your own relocation and submit tax invoices for reimbursement up to their capped amount, noting that reimbursement will not occur until the first pay following commencement of employment.
Dawson Moving & Storage Townsville
P: 07 4774 3780
W: dawsonnq.com.au
Allied Pickfords
P: 07 4774 5799
W: allied.com/au/removalists
Keffords (A&R)
P: 07 4774 4411
W: keffords.com.au
Kent Removals & Storage
P: 1300 709 565
W: kentremovalsstorage.com.au/ removalists-townsville-removals
Gormans Removals
P: 07 4924 2424
W: gormans.com.au
Twin Cities Removals & Storage
P: 0427 636 005
W: twincitiesrns.com
WhyBirds
P: 1300 653 884
W: whybirds.com.au
Grace
P: 1300 723 844
W: grace.com.au/townsville
Other helpful information about Mount Isa
Mount Isa has a comprehensive range of health services and regional businesses located within the city centre. Below is a list of key facilities and lifestyle shops.
Best & Less
27 Simpson Street
P: 07 4749 4701
Bunnings
95 Camooweal Street
P: 07 4744 8400
W: bunnings.com.au
Country Style Living
4/80 Camooweal Street
W: countrystyleliving.com.au
Dollars and Sense
3/80 Camooweal Street
W: dollarsense.com.au
Harvey Norman
121 Marian Street
P: 07 4745 0200
W: harveynorman.com.au
Laura Johnson Op Shop
41 Clarke Street
P: 07 4743 9510
W: lauraj.com.au/wp/our-services
Lifeline Shop Mt Isa
79 Camooweal Street
W: unitingcareqld.com.au
Mount Isa Furniture and Bedding
107 Camooweal Street
P: 07 4743 0876
W: mountisafurniture.com.au
Mt Isa Village – Kmart and Coles
22 Simpson Street
W: mountisavillage.com.au
Ozzie Outdoors
15 Isa Street
P: 07 4743 5558
Pharmacy First (open 7 days, with extended hours)
Has a wide selection of home decors, a big health food section, cook books and some GP type services. W: pharmacyfirst.net.au
Woolworths (open 6 days/week)
2 Miles Street
W: woolworths.com.au
There’s lots of entertainment options in Mount Isa...
We recommend a visit to the Outback at Isa when you’re new to town. There is plenty of help with local information on places to explore around Mt Isa, however here are some of our top picks.
For the adventure and nature lovers, Mount Isa has Lake Moondarra, situated 13km from town, where you can fish or enjoy water sports. The Lake is also used to hold triathlons in the summer months and is the start of the Outback to the Stack half marathon in July. There are a multitude of camping spots around the district and if you enjoy the outdoors and (real) camping the possibilities are endless. Approximately four hours away is the Gregory River which allows for camping and swimming. Whether you’re a budding musicians or simply enjoy music, there are a number of places to practice your craft. ‘The Shack” is a community run group for all who play or listen to live music and is held every fortnight.
For thespians MITS (The Mount Isa Theatrical Society) is a non-profit amateur theatre group that performs a variety of plays each year.
Mount Isa also provides access to a fossil heritage trail throughout the district with the centre between Richmond-Hughenden-Winton. There is the opportunity to join archaeological digs and see exhibitions in Richmond and Mount Isa.
If sport is more your thing…
The iconic Isa Rodeo is held on the second weekend of August every year and attracts spectators from afar. There is a street festival with street stalls with food and entertainment. The Catholic schools in Mount Isa enjoy a day off on the Friday of the rodeo weekend and there is a parade where the staff and students are encouraged to enter floats.
Splashez Aquatic centre is a great place for families and has a 50m pool and the family fun park next door has a variety of swings and play equipment including a skate park and PCYC.
If you are having difficulties finding a suitable property or if you need assistance sourcing household items, contact our Remote Area Teacher Support Officer.
P: 4749 9488
W: tsv.catholic.edu.au
E: teacheraccommodation@ tsv.catholic.edu.au
For more information about Mount Isa, visit: mountisa.qld.gov.au
discovermountisa.com.au
commercenorthwest.com.au isarodeo.com.au
outbackqueensland.com.au
savannahway.com.au
overlandersway.com