Western trained teachers and educators from other regions can experience teaching in Malaysia international schools. Teaching jobs in Malaysia help teachers to secure work pass and residency permits. You should be a suitably qualified teacher and obtain the correct paperwork to work & reside legally.
Teaching in Malaysia
Good English language teachers are in high demand with private international schools advertising the opportunity to teach English in Malaysia from young children to 18 years.
Teachers from USA, Canada, South Africa, Ireland, Singapore, UK, Australia and other countries are educations in Malaysia schools.
You can also apply for jobs in you’re specialist subject, such as teacher of mathematics, history, business, science and other subject areas at international schools. Nursery, primary and secondary high school teachers work as classroom teachers with or with additional responsibilities.
Also, securing a job teaching nursery/kindergarten children from 3-5 years old is popular.
Looking to advance you’re teaching career in Malaysia? Management positions as a school head of department or head teacher become available each year for qualified and experienced candidates.
Teacher with a masters degree in education or school leadership qualification can go on to become a head teacher or school principal.
Teacher salary Malaysia
Top international school classroom teachers in Malaysia can be offered Malaysian Ringgit 9,800 -16,000 month 2022 before tax depending on experience, age level taught and qualifications. Good schools (Most) provide a salary package including accommodation, return flights, medical care insurance and holiday pay. Option to renew a contract between 1-3 years is also offered.
Obviously, as a teacher with many years of experience and additional responsibility you can secure a top level salary. Additional payment of around RM 5000 for accommodation allowance also.
Malaysian Tax is deductible from your salary.
Locally hired teachers at mid tier international Malaysia schools are offered 2,500-4.500 RM per month.
Small local nursery school teachers salary RM 1,200-2,500 month.
International schools salary in Malaysia is a lot more than nursery teachers or local schools,
Better paying schools in Malaysia are mainly in Kuala Lumpur where students pay higher tuition fees.
Requirements for school teachers in Malaysia
Malaysia visa requirements for foreign teacher’s at international schools and the government sector are that you must be a qualified teacher of school age children from your own country.
To obtain a teaching job and qualify for a work visa in Malaysia in 2022 the following is standard
- Criminal record background check from within the past 6 months
- Attested and certified genuine undergraduate degree and above
- Qualified teacher status for school children between 3 to 18 years
- Native English speaker for English teachers, also for via requirements
- Teaching qualification appropriate for the school age children
- 3 years plus successful experience teaching that age level (Malaysian immigration visa requirements)
- Medical exam check for a work visa
- 2 or more teaching references
- Age 27 years old plus (Work visa regulation)
Teaching contracts can be from one year upwards with a possible renewable.
Malaysia international schools
Qualified school teachers looking to teach in Malaysia have a choice. Teach nursery children from 3 years to young adults up to 19 years old in secondary high school.
Schools separate nursery, primary and high school teaching areas providing an appropriate curriculum to pupils at each age range, You as a classroom teacher would teach children at one age level, such as 11-19 year old in high school.
Teachers must be fully prepared for each day’s lessons and materials ready for students entering class. School day’s are longer than western countries as you’ll become involved in extra curricular activities.
School teachers receive 2 days off per week, national holidays and annual leave.
Search on job boards, school websites or sign up with a recruiter to secure teaching jobs at an international school in Malaysia.
Taxation in Malaysia for teachers
Taxes are deducted from your salary each month at a progressive rate, depending on how much is earned.
After living in Malaysia for over 180 days you’re eligible for reduced tax payable from your salary, around 20%.
Yes, you must pay higher income taxes for the first 6 months in the country. Taxes are no straight forward in Malaysia.
The tax year ends on December 31st. Tax returns are generally due between March and May, depending on the official announcement by the Ministry of Finance. Income tax can be paid in three equal instalments.
20 of the biggest Malaysian cities in the country
| Subang Jaya | Cheras | Sandakan | Klang |
| Kuala Lumpur | Kajang | Johor Bahru | Seremban |
| Ampang | Kuantan | Ipoh | Tawau |
| Shah Alam | Kuala Terengganu | Kuching | Miri |
| Petaling Jaya | Kota Kinabalu | Kota Bahru | Selayang Baru |
Malaysia as a country
With a tropical climate and sunshine most of the year the islands of Malaysia attracts visitors to top class beaches, city living and rural treks in the countryside.
The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur where there is a good mix of international schools for all ages of children.
Teacher’s salaries pay level in Malaysia allows you to live comfortably in the country.
Should you wish to travel and sight see bordering countries include; Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam all within a short plane trip.
Country facts of Malaysia
| Population: 32.7 million approximately | Area size: 329, 750 sq kms approximately | Capital: Kuala Lumpur | Language: Bahasa Melayu | Electricity: 240 Volts, 50Hz |
| Climate: Hot monsoons summers, mild winters | Currency: Ringgit (MYR) | Country dialling code: + 60 | Time zone: GMT + 8 hours | Emergencies: 994 fire, Ambulance and Police 999 |