Did you know that teachers can get special discounts from goods and services that no other profession has access to? Some companies make it well known, while others don’t shout it from the roof tops. Do you need to be part of a secret club and know the secret nod and hand shake to find out about these? Maybe. But we’ve trawled the web and teacher Facebook groups to help pull as many known discounts together in one handy list for you, so you don’t have to.
If you love a good discount, keep reading!
P.S. We updated this article in April 2023 with some great new deals 
Apple
The discount is generally 10% and is valid on purchases of regularly-priced Mac computers, iPads, Apple software, accessories and other items. Simply visit the Apple Store for Education online and follow the website prompts.
Microsoft
If you’re more of a PC fan, we’ve got good news for you. Microsoft extend their student discount on computers, tablets and accessories to anyone with an ‘edu’ email address. That means you can snag yourself between 10-30% off a new computer and all the add-ons, as well as a free subscription to Microsoft office.
Sony
All you need is an official Education email address!
Access exclusive offers for Students, Teachers & schools by registering with the Sony Education Store. Check eligibility below and there is no cost for joining.
Lenovo
If you’re looking to upgrade your computer, Lenovo offer discounts for teachers, up to a whopping 30% off certain models. Just create an account using your teacher email address and away you go.
Samsung
It is as easy as entering your teacher email. From there, a verification email will be sent to the email address provided which will allow you access to the Educational portal upon successful verification. Happy shopping!
Adobe
Adobe offers a 60% discount to teachers off the full price of the Creative Cloud, bringing it to $21.99/month (full price $79.99/month). This includes programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premier Pro and more.
Zoo Entry (AU)
If you are visiting with a school, Taronga Zoo in Sydney provides free entry to supervising teachers at a 1:5 ratio.
If teachers are visiting the zoo at their own leisure, they do not offer general discounted tickets for teachers at our ticketing desk or online, however they do have a great offer with their special teachers’ annual membership Taronga Teachers Association.
This is a heavily discounted teacher specific annual membership, which includes all the perks of their Taronga Zoo Friends membership, as well as additional events specifically for teachers.
If teachers join the TTA membership, it includes entry to Taronga Zoo in Sydney as well as Dubbo, and even interstate zoos as well – this membership includes all the benefits of a ZooFriend membership.
Please note for local Dubbo teachers, Taronga Western Plains Zoo also has their own local teachers’ membership.
Intrepid Travel
Casting your sights a little further afield next school holidays? Intrepid Travel offer teachers a 10% discount off their full range of tours throughout Australia and the Pacific, North and South America, Europe, Asia and more.
National Geographic (AU)
Provides resources for educators at NatGeoEd.org and NatGeoEd.org/blog. These include free lesson plans, media, study guides for current events, professional development opportunities and student-friendly resources from our Explorers. Teachers are also eligible for discount on Geographic Project Kits. In order to receive the discount, simply show your teacher card in store. Learn more here.
Eckersleys (AU)
Teachers can enjoy a 10% off discount at stationery and art supply store, Eckersley’s. Learn more here.
Adobe Creative Cloud
Teachers can get discounted access the same as students. Learn more here.
NZ Specific Discounts
2 Degrees Mobile
Their ‘Kiwi Hero Plans’ give teachers, nurses, first responders, and Defence Force all the benefits of a 2degrees Carryover Plan at a specially discounted price. More info here.
Noel Lemming
Generally, cost + 10% (roughly) on almost all products in store. Find your product and ask what the discount is as all products will vary, and the staff don’t know until they scan/look it up. You will most likely get asked for your registration card for proof but not always.
Whitcoulls
10% off all store items excluding sale items.
School Ready Kids
10% discount for teachers on educational resources for the classroom.
Westpac Bank
No fees on mortgages for govt employees – you need to prove you are a teacher and show your card (they record on your file). Also, if you have your teachers’ pay/salary going into a Westpac account you can get $1000 off or towards legal fees when buying a house.
ANZ Bank
Discount on your mortgage if you are a NZEI member from the ANZ bank. ANZ bank discount your home loan interest rate by a very small amount, but over time it all makes a difference.
Te Papa – Museum of New Zealand
Get into any paid exhibition for free with your registration card.
Paper Plus
Discounts off products (depends on some branches).
Storage Box
10% discount off total purchase.
Maternity Grants
For six weeks- in the collective agreement. Apply to the Ministry of Education here
A maternity grant (calculated on the basis of six weeks salary) is available to you if you qualify for maternity leave (you must be entitled to take leave from a position, not just the 18 weeks’ paid parental leave payment) or resign because of pregnancy or adoption.
NZEI Member Benefits Programme
Fuel Cards, entertainment, accommodation, financial services, car rental, airline lounge memberships, package tours, international money transfers, magazine subscriptions, glasses and lenses, and more… See here.
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium
Special teacher discounts + teacher PD. See here.
The bottom line
These discounts are a few of many hidden discounts and are available to all teachers around Australia and New Zealand. However, check with the retailer to see if these discounts remain and have a claim.