Queensland is using a new Teacher Rapid Response Team to fill critical shortages.

The Queensland education department is piloting its Teacher Rapid Response Team (RRT) to address critical staff shortages in regional state schools.

Close to 40 teachers have been recruited into the RRT pool, with nine having been deployed to schools in central Queensland this term.

The aim is to address critical teacher shortages that have led some schools to lump multiple classrooms together and offer supervision rather than receiving face-to-face teaching of subjects, the Queensland Teachers' Union says.

Participating teachers are appointed on a temporary basis at a school in need or across a priority geographic area.

Teachers can take up a permanent position at schools they are posted to, and are offered incentives including funded accommodation, an allowance of about $100 per day to assist with living costs, or the payment of a locality allowance.

Participants are offered up to two return flights to Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast when relocating for more than a term, or an allowance to cover the distance if the teacher drives to relocate.

Permanent teachers’ original jobs are filled with relief teachers, during their temporary relocation, but held open for them to return. 

The teachers’ union has welcomed the use of the RRT, but says that more federal funding is needed to address teacher shortages longer term.