Processing delays mean hundreds of new teachers are getting less in their pocket than they should be

They're being paid at a lower rate until the Education Ministry processes paperwork to take their qualifications into account.

Post Primary Teachers' Association president Melanie Webber says it's really tough for beginning teachers, who face starting costs including needing to move home.

She says another added cost is a higher standard of dress expected than when they were students.

The Ministry of Education says it's not uncommon for applications to be incomplete - but Covid's made the backlog higher than normal.