How to become a home tutor in Singapore
A practical guide for 2027, from choosing what to teach to your first lesson. It also shows, step by step, how tutoring with The Singapore Syllabus works.
Free to sign up. No NRIC or bank details on the form.
Who can become a home tutor
Families choose a tutor on results and on how clearly they explain, not on one fixed qualification. Tutors are usually grouped into three types: university students, full-time tutors and graduates, and current or former school teachers. Rates follow the same three types.
You need strong results in the subjects you teach and the time to keep the same weekly slot for months, not weeks.
If you are not a Singapore Citizen or PR, check with the Ministry of Manpower whether your pass allows private tuition. If you teach in a school now, check your employer's rules first.
Choose your subjects and levels
Teach the subjects you scored best in and still enjoy. Families ask for every subject and level, from preschool to JC and IB. We most often need tutors for:
- Chinese, Higher Chinese, Malay and Tamil
- JC H2 Math, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Economics and General Paper
- IB Math and the IB sciences
- Sec 3 and 4 Biology and Chemistry
- Experienced tutors for PSLE, SEC and A-Level years
Decide where and when you teach
Home tuition means travelling to the student, so pick an area you can reach easily, usually near your home MRT station. You can also teach online.
Families most often want lessons on weekday afternoons and early evenings, soon after school ends. Tutors free at those times are hard to find.
We often need more tutors in the East, the North and the North-East, such as Tampines, Bedok, Woodlands, Yishun, Punggol and Sengkang.
Set your rate
Families pay by the hour. The rate depends on the level, your tutor type and your track record. The table below is our published rate card for 2027.
Build a profile families pick
- A clear, recent photo of your face.
- A headline that names your subjects and levels, such as H2 Chemistry and Sec 4 Pure Chemistry tutor.
- Your qualifications with your own grades in the subjects you teach.
- A bio of at least 150 words with real results, such as how a student's grade moved over a year.
- Specialties and achievements that a parent can check, such as a scholarship or a prize.
What families pay per hour
Market rates from our published rate card, by level and type of tutor.
| Level | Part-time / undergrad | Full-time | Ex-MOE or NIE-trained |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Primary (P1-P4) | S$25-35/hr | S$35-45/hr | S$50-70/hr |
| Upper Primary / PSLE (P5-P6) | S$30-40/hr | S$40-55/hr | S$60-80/hr |
| Lower Secondary (Sec 1-2) | S$30-45/hr | S$45-60/hr | S$60-85/hr |
| Upper Secondary / O-Level (Sec 3-4) | S$35-45/hr | S$45-65/hr | S$65-95/hr |
| Junior College / A-Level (JC1-JC2) | S$45-60/hr | S$65-90/hr | S$90-130/hr |
| IB Diploma (DP1-DP2) / IGCSE | S$45-60/hr | S$65-90/hr | S$90-130/hr |
The rate for each assignment is confirmed with you before you accept it. See every level on the pricing page.
What happens after you sign up with TSS
How tutoring with The Singapore Syllabus works, from your profile to your first payment.
Step 1
Create your profile
Fill in the sign-up form in one sitting: photo, qualifications, a bio of at least 150 words, subjects, levels, your nearest MRT station or Online, the weekday times you are free and your preferred rates. Our team is told about every new profile.
Step 2
Get offers on WhatsApp
When a family's request fits your subjects, levels, area and times, we message you on WhatsApp with the level, subject, area, lesson times and rate, and a link to the offer. Some assignments also go out on our Telegram bot.
Step 3
Reply yes or no
Reply Yes or No with the code in the message, or open the link to say yes, ask for a different rate or say no. Saying no to an offer that does not fit is fine. Nothing is assigned without your yes.
Step 4
The family chooses
We send the family the profiles of the tutors who said yes. If they pick you, we agree the lesson day, time and rate with you and the family.
Step 5
Confirm your commitment
Fill in a short commitment form for the student: how long you can teach them (at least 3 months) and any changes coming up, such as exams, travel or a new job. We also send you the TSS tutor agreement to read and sign online.
Step 6
Teach the trial lesson
The first lesson is a paid trial lesson. We send you the date, time and address. After it, the family decides whether to carry on with weekly lessons.
Step 7
Log lessons and get paid
Log each lesson on your tutor dashboard. TSS collects the fees from the family and pays you by the second week of the following month, by PayNow or bank transfer.
Step 8
Keep the family updated
Send the parent a short update after lessons. Each term, families may be asked for feedback and you may be asked for a short progress report.
Questions tutors ask
Do I need a teaching qualification to be a home tutor in Singapore?
Families do not ask for one fixed qualification. They look at your results in the subject, your teaching experience and how clearly you explain. A teaching qualification or school teaching experience puts you in a higher rate band.
How long does it take to get my first assignment?
It depends on how many families near you need your subjects and levels, and on how quickly you reply to offers. Listing every subject you teach well and the weekday times you are free helps.
Is the first lesson a trial?
Yes. The first lesson with a new family is a paid trial lesson. After it, the family decides whether to carry on with weekly lessons.
Does it cost anything to sign up with TSS?
No. Creating a tutor profile is free.
Can I teach online only?
Yes. Choose Online as your location on the form. Families who cannot find a tutor nearby, or who want a specialist subject, often take online lessons.
Ready to take on students?
Your profile takes one sitting to fill in. Have your qualifications, subjects and a short bio ready.
Create your tutor profile