Teachers and tutors in Indonesia: requirements, PPG, pay and applying safely

Teachers in Indonesia need a degree and a teaching certificate (PPG) under Law 14/2005. Vacancy posts linking outside official sites are suspect.

Summary

Professional requirements: Teaching certificate (sertifikat pendidik) for formal schools Medium scam risk
  • Law 14/2005 requires school teachers in formal education to hold a bachelor's (S1) or D4 degree, competence and a teaching certificate.
  • The teaching certificate comes from the Teacher Professional Education programme (PPG), and certified teachers receive a professional allowance.
  • Civil-servant teachers are paid on the civil-service base pay table; private-school teachers are paid under their employment agreement.
  • Civil service (CPNS) and PPPK teacher posts are applied for only through SSCASN; a paid shortcut offer is a likely scam.
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On this page
  1. What does a teacher do in Indonesia?
  2. How do you become a teacher in Indonesia?
  3. What does a typical teacher job description look like?
  4. How much do teachers earn in Indonesia per month?
  5. Which education routes lead to teaching in Indonesia?
  6. What are working conditions and rights like for teachers in Indonesia?
  7. What does a teaching career path look like in Indonesia?
  8. How do you become a teacher at a Sekolah Rakyat school?
  9. How can private-school teachers and tutors protect their rights?
  10. What interview questions might you be asked for teacher jobs?
  11. Which job scams target teacher applicants in Indonesia?
  12. Where can you find safe teaching vacancies and how should you apply?
  13. Which careers are similar?

What does a teacher do in Indonesia?

Teachers plan lessons, teach, assess learning, guide and train students, and carry out additional duties. Law 14/2005 on Teachers and Lecturers, Article 35, names these core activities as a teacher's workload. Cram-school tutors and private tutors do similar work with small groups, usually part time, using material that follows the school curriculum or exam preparation.

  • Prepare lesson plans and materials that follow the curriculum and the students' level.
  • Teach in the classroom or online using methods suited to the students' age.
  • Assess learning through assignments, tests and observation, and record the marks.
  • Support students who fall behind and stretch those who are ahead.
  • Talk with parents about their child's progress and needs.
  • Take on extra duties such as homeroom teacher, club supervisor or duty rota.
  • For tutors: prepare practice questions and coach small groups.

How do you become a teacher in Indonesia?

Law 14/2005 Articles 8 and 9 require school teachers in formal education to hold a bachelor's (S1) or D4 degree, competence, a teaching certificate and good physical and mental health. Teaching, personal, social and subject competences come from professional education, and certification is run by universities designated by the government (Articles 10 and 11). Tutors are not bound by these rules; their institution decides.

Licence or certificate
Teaching certificate (sertifikat pendidik) for formal schools
Issued by
Universities designated by the government to run PPG, under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
Legal basis
Law 14/2005 on Teachers and Lecturers, Articles 8 to 11

What does a typical teacher job description look like?

Teacher vacancies in Indonesia usually ask for a bachelor's degree in the subject, a teaching certificate or willingness to join PPG, teaching experience and confidence with digital teaching tools. Tutor vacancies often ask for strong subject knowledge and flexible hours. We wrote the description below ourselves from common advertising patterns. It is not a vacancy from any school, so there is no apply button.

General example, not a vacancy

We wrote this description ourselves from what job ads usually ask for. It is not a vacancy from any company.

Commonly requested requirements

  • A bachelor's (S1) or D4 degree that matches the subject or school level.
  • A teaching certificate, or willingness to join PPG, to teach at a formal school.
  • Teaching experience or teaching practice, including from internships or campus activities.
  • Ability to use digital teaching tools and online classroom apps.
  • For language teachers: proven language skills through a certificate or a teaching demo.

Skills

Explaining ideas simply, Classroom management, Patience, Assessment, Communicating with parents, Digital literacy, Lesson planning.

Ministry of Manpower Circular M/6/HK.04/V/2025 bars employers from discriminating on any basis in recruitment. An age requirement is allowed only where the nature of the job genuinely affects ability and it does not remove the chance of work, and the same applies to workers with disabilities. Law 13/2003 Articles 5 and 6 guarantee equal opportunity and treatment without discrimination. JDIH Kementerian Ketenagakerjaan JDIH BPK RI (peraturan.bpk.go.id)

How much do teachers earn in Indonesia per month?

Teacher pay depends on employment status. Under Law 14/2005 Article 15, teachers appointed by the government are paid under the regulations, namely the civil service base pay table in PP 5/2024, while private school teachers are paid under their employment contract, with the 2026 minimum wage (UMK) as the floor for service under one year. The table below shows the base pay range for civil servants in grade III, excluding allowances. For private, honorary teachers and tutors we do not yet have data with a large enough sample.

Teacher: available pay data (as of 8 October 2026)
Data Figure Notes
Pay range in KarirAman verified vacancies Not enough data yet (n < 30)
Official pay scale: civil servant (PNS) grade III, base pay, PP 5/2024 IDR 2,785,700 to IDR 5,180,700 gross (before deductions); per month Base pay for civil servants (PNS) from grade III/a with 0 years in grade to grade III/d with 32 years in grade, from the annex to Government Regulation 5/2024 (in force since 1 January 2024). It applies to every grade III civil servant, including state-employed teachers; a teacher's grade depends on appointment and promotion. Allowances (family, functional, teacher professional allowance) are excluded and it is before deductions. It does not apply to PPPK contract teachers, honorary teachers, private-school teachers or tutors. JDIH BPK RI
Average net wage of employees, Education (BPS Sakernas May 2026) IDR 3,222,680 reference for the Education sector, not specific to this career; net (after deductions) Badan Pusat Statistik
Minimum wage (UMP/UMK) as the floor IDR 2,317,601 to IDR 5,729,876 Lowest 2026 UMP IDR 2,317,601 (West Java), highest IDR 5,729,876 (Jakarta) Micro and small businesses are exempt from the minimum wage rules; pay there is set by agreement and still has a legal floor. Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id)

Check your city's minimum wage (2026) Work out your take-home pay How we handle salary data

Which education routes lead to teaching in Indonesia?

The main route to teaching is a bachelor's (S1) or D4 degree followed by Teacher Professional Education (PPG) to earn the teaching certificate. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education runs PPG for prospective teachers and PPG for serving teachers; in June 2026 the PPG director said the programme aims to speed up teacher certification. Tutors usually need strong subject knowledge, but a degree opens the way to formal schools.

What are working conditions and rights like for teachers in Indonesia?

School teachers teach at least 24 and at most 40 face-to-face hours per week under Law 14/2005 Article 35. Private-school teachers and tutors work under an employment agreement (Article 15(3)), which may be fixed-term or permanent. Employers must register their workers with BPJS social security (Law 24/2011 Article 15), and the minimum wage is the floor for workers with under one year of service.

Legal status: the Labour Protection Law was approved by the DPR and the Government on 6 October 2026 but has not been promulgated and its text is not public. Until it takes effect, the rules on this page apply.

Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat RI (emedia); Kementerian Ketenagakerjaan RI

What does a teaching career path look like in Indonesia?

Civil servant teachers move up through four functional grades: first, junior, middle and principal expert teacher, under Ministerial Regulation PermenPAN-RB 21/2024 Article 5. In schools, teachers can also take extra duties such as class teacher, subject coordinator, deputy head or head teacher. Other paths include lecturing after a master's degree, early childhood teaching, school administration or translation for language teachers. Tutors often become academic coordinators or open their own classes.

How do you become a teacher at a Sekolah Rakyat school?

Sekolah Rakyat schools are boarding schools run by the Ministry of Social Affairs for children from poor and extremely poor families. According to the ministry, teachers come through official routes: assigned civil servant teachers, PPPK teachers and selected PPG graduates; the key requirement is a teaching certificate, and those who pass are appointed as PPPK staff under the ministry. The 2026 PPPK competency tests for Sekolah Rakyat teachers and education staff used BKN's computer-based test from 17 to 31 July 2026. Dormitory guardians are recruited as education staff, not teachers.

How can private-school teachers and tutors protect their rights?

Teachers at private schools and course providers are paid under an employment agreement, not the civil-service pay table (Law 14/2005 Article 15(3)). Ask for a written agreement before you start teaching. Make sure it states your teaching hours, how your pay is calculated, the payment date and who registers you with BPJS.

For workers with less than one year of service, the minimum wage where you work is the floor (Government Regulation 36/2021 Article 24). If something goes wrong, keep every record and read KarirAman's workers' rights guides on contracts and BPJS.

What interview questions might you be asked for teacher jobs?

Interview questions for teacher jobs often cover lesson planning, helping learners who fall behind, managing a class, fair assessment, and learners' safety. Each example below comes with why it is asked and how to answer it. The Ministry of Manpower warns that an instant chat interview without formal confirmation is one sign of a fake job.

Republika (official statement via media)

General examples written by KarirAman, not questions from any particular company. How to practise: read the question, answer it out loud, then open the guidance to compare.

Questions for this field

How do you prepare a lesson or course plan?

Why they ask: Good planning shows you understand the learning goals.

How to answer: Explain the learning goals, the activities you choose, how you assess results and an example plan you have used.

How do you help students who fall behind?

Why they ask: Every class has learners at different levels.

How to answer: Describe how you spot the difficulty, give suitable extra support and communicate with parents or academic advisers.

How do you manage a noisy or unfocused class?

Why they ask: Classroom management affects everyone's learning.

How to answer: Explain the class rules you agree together, activities that involve learners and how you correct behaviour without humiliating anyone.

How do you assess learning fairly?

Why they ask: Fair assessment builds trust with learners and parents.

How to answer: Mention clear rubrics, varied assessment and feedback that helps learners improve.

How do you use technology in teaching?

Why they ask: Schools and universities want to know you can use digital tools purposefully.

How to answer: Give examples of tools you use and why, and how you make sure learners without good devices or internet can still learn.

How do you communicate with parents or fellow teachers?

Why they ask: Working with parents and colleagues supports learners' progress.

How to answer: Describe regular updates, raising problems politely and factually, and recording what was agreed.

How do you keep learners safe?

Why they ask: Schools and universities are responsible for learners' safety.

How to answer: Explain how you prevent and handle bullying, keep professional boundaries and report through the school or university channel when something is wrong.

Common questions that also come up (12 questions)
  • Tell me about yourself.

    Answer in about a minute: where you are now in work or study, two experiences that matter for this job, then why you applied. Personal matters such as family status are not needed.

  • Why did you apply to this company?

    Mention one or two real things you learned from the company's official website, such as its business or services, and link them to your skills.

  • Why are you interested in this role?

    Pick two tasks from the job advert, describe similar things you have done, and say which part you most want to grow in.

  • What are your strengths?

    Name one or two strengths and give short proof: the situation, what you did and the result.

  • What is your weakness?

    Choose a real weakness that is not central to the job, then explain what you are doing to improve it.

  • Tell me about a problem at work or school that you solved.

    Use the STAR pattern: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Focus on what you yourself did and what you learned.

  • How do you work in a team, including when people disagree?

    Give a real example of listening, explaining your view politely and finding a solution everyone accepted.

  • How do you handle pressure or tight deadlines?

    Explain how you set priorities, such as a task list or checking with your supervisor, and give one example of the outcome.

  • Where do you see yourself in two or three years?

    Mention the skills you want to master and the responsibility you hope to take on, without promising things you cannot know.

  • What salary do you expect?

    First research the pay range for the role and the local minimum wage where you would work. Give a range, then ask whether the figure is gross or net and which allowances apply.

  • When can you start?

    Give a realistic date. If you are still employed, mention the notice period in your current contract so you do not break it.

  • Do you have any questions for us?

    Ask about the contract type, working hours, base pay and allowances, the next selection step and when results are announced. Ask for the offer in writing.

Warning signs in interviews (6)
  • The interview happens only by WhatsApp or Telegram chat with no formal invitation, or you are pushed to be interviewed on the spot.

    What to do: Ask for a written invitation from a company-domain e-mail address, then match the contact with the official website you look up yourself.

    Republika (official statement via media)Kompas TV (official statement via media)detikFinance

  • You are asked to pay for a test, a psychological test, a medical check-up, training or a uniform, or to book tickets and a hotel through an appointed agent with a promise of reimbursement.

    What to do: Do not transfer anything. The Ministry of Manpower says legitimate recruitment does not charge applicants.

    Kompas TV (official statement via media)Republika (official statement via media)Koran Jakarta (official statement via media)PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA)

  • The interview is held in a hotel room, a private house or another closed place that is not an office, or the location keeps changing. An invitation to stay overnight, or any sexual demand, as a condition for being hired or for renewing a contract is also a warning sign.

    What to do: Ask for the interview at the office or a public place, tell someone close to you where you are, and leave if you feel unsafe. Sexual demands can be reported to the police or the local manpower office (Disnaker). If you are in danger, call the police.

    Koran Jakarta (official statement via media)detikBali (detik.com) (official statement via media)Medcom.id (official statement via media)

  • You are asked for a photo of your KTP or family card, a selfie holding your ID, your bank account number, an OTP code, a PIN or a password before any written job offer.

    What to do: Do not send them. OJK says never to give an OTP, PIN or password to anyone, and identity data can be misused for illegal online loans.

    Kompas TV (official statement via media)Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (Sekretariat Satgas PASTI)Koran Jakarta (official statement via media)

  • The interview invitation arrives as an app file (APK) or a link that asks you to install an app.

    What to do: Do not open it. OJK and Kominfo warn that fake APK files can read SMS messages with OTP codes and then drain bank accounts.

    CNN Indonesia (official statement via media)

  • After the interview you are asked to hand over your original diploma or other original personal documents as a guarantee for the job.

    What to do: Ministry of Manpower Circular M/5/HK.04.00/V/2025 bars employers from requiring or holding original diplomas and personal documents as a guarantee for the job. The only exception is a diploma or competency certificate from education or training paid for by the employer under a written employment agreement, and the employer must keep it safe and compensate you if it is damaged or lost. Otherwise, show them for checking, then take them home.

    Dinas Tenaga Kerja Kota Batam (meneruskan SE Menteri Ketenagakerjaan RI)

In danger or held at an interview location? Call the police:

See all interview questions Build an ATS CV Write a cover letter

Which job scams target teacher applicants in Indonesia?

One trick aimed at would-be teachers is fake information about civil-service (CPNS) and PPPK selection. In August 2026 BKN warned that circulating posters use links outside official government domains and risk stealing applicants' personal data. Other tricks are registration or training fees before hiring, and people who promise to get you through the selection in exchange for money.

Warning signs in teacher job ads

  • A poster or forwarded message about civil-service or PPPK teacher posts that links outside official government domains.
  • Someone promises you will pass the civil-service selection or get a PPG place if you pay them.Merahputih.com (official statement via media)
  • A school or cram school asks for a registration, uniform or training fee before hiring you.
  • The recruiter uses a free e-mail address, interviews only by chat and says you are hired straight away.Republika (official statement via media)
  • The sender claims to be from the education office or a large foundation and asks for bank or other sensitive personal details.Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (Sekretariat Satgas PASTI)

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Where can you find safe teaching vacancies and how should you apply?

Civil-service and PPPK teacher posts open only through BKN's SSCASN portal, and announcements also appear on agency websites ending in go.id. For private schools and cram schools, look on the school's or foundation's official website and on the Ministry of Manpower's Karirhub portal. Attend interviews at the school during working hours, never pay anything, and do not send bank details before a written agreement exists.

No verified vacancies for this role yet

We only list vacancies we have checked. In the meantime, look for jobs on these official channels.

Which careers are similar?

See other careers in Education

Frequently asked questions

Can graduates without an education degree become teachers in Indonesia?

Law 14/2005 Article 9 requires a bachelor's (S1) or D4 degree without naming an education major. However, school teachers must also hold a teaching certificate from professional education (Articles 8 and 10). PPG entry rules on degree subjects can change every year, so read the ministry's official announcement before applying and never pay anyone who offers to sell a PPG place.

Do private tutors and cram-school teachers need a teaching certificate?

Law 14/2005 Article 1 defines teachers as educators in formal early-childhood, primary and secondary education. Tutors at cram schools (bimbel), private tutors and course providers fall outside that definition, so each institution sets its own requirements. Still ask for a written agreement stating teaching hours, pay and payment dates before you start.

How many hours a week do teachers in Indonesia teach?

Law 14/2005 Article 35(2) sets a teacher's workload at a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 40 face-to-face teaching hours per week. The workload covers planning, delivering and assessing lessons, guiding students and additional duties. Tutors are not bound by this rule; their hours follow the agreement with their institution.

Can a school or foundation charge me a fee when I apply for a teaching job?

It should not. Indonesia's Ministry of Manpower says a fee in the recruitment process is almost certainly a scam. For civil-service and PPPK posts, the State Civil Service Agency (BKN) says all official information comes only through government channels and the SSCASN portal. If you are asked to pay a registration, uniform or training fee before being hired, stop and check the vacancy on the school's official website.

What is the teacher professional allowance?

The government pays a professional allowance to teachers who hold a teaching certificate, including teachers at private schools (Law 14/2005 Article 16(1)). It equals one month of base pay for a civil-servant teacher at the same level, length of service and qualification (Article 16(2)). That is why the PPG teaching certificate matters so much for a teacher's income.

Who wrote and reviewed this page?

Sources

The facts on this page come from these sources. Dates show when we opened them.

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How to cite

KarirAman (2026). Teachers and tutors in Indonesia: requirements, PPG, pay and applying safely. Updated 8 October 2026. https://kariraman.com/en/careers/teacher/

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Change log
  • : Titles and headings now match common searches; added the Sekolah Rakyat teacher route, the PPG regulator link and links to lecturer, early childhood teacher and school admin roles.