The world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands, 200 active volcanoes, and a population of almost 300 million people. Coupled with a low English proficiency score and growing tourism industry, new TEFL teachers can find jobs in cities like Bali, Jakarta, and others.
Read on for The TEFL Org’s guide to teaching English in Indonesia – from the kinds of jobs available, to typical salaries, requirements, locations, and more.
Key Takeaways
- Indonesia has a low English proficiency score and a high demand for foreign teachers.
- English teachers need a university degree, TEFL certificate, and passports from native English speaking countries (unless they have 5 years of professional experience).
- Average monthly salaries range from Rp10–Rp35 million ($575–$2,000 / £425–£1,475) at private schools and international schools.
- Top teaching locations include the capital city, Jakarta, and Bali.
- English teachers need a E23 work visa to legally teach in Indonesia.
Requirements for Teaching English in Indonesia
English proficiency in Indonesia is low, but you’ll still need to compete for higher paying teaching jobs. Here’s everything you need to know about the requirements for teaching English in Indonesia.
Do I need a TEFL certification to teach English in Indonesia?
Yes, you generally need a TEFL certificate to teach English in Indonesia. Most employers in Indonesia want teachers who've studied the basics of teaching English as a foreign language, and you’ll be limited to low-paying or voluntary positions without a TEFL certificate.
A 120-hour TEFL course from an accredited provider (like The TEFL Org!) is the industry standard, but there's also a big business English market in Indonesia. So if you've got industry experience or you're qualified to teach business English, you can increase your salary and career prospects.Can I teach English in Indonesia without a degree??
You need a bachelor’s degree (in any subject) to teach English in Indonesia because it's a legal requirement for the work visa. Without a degree you’ll be limited to volunteer roles in Indonesia, or, you can teach English without a degree in other Asian countries like Cambodia!
Do I need teaching experience to teach in Indonesia?
Yes, you can teach English without experience in Indonesia. Many employers who are willing to hire inexperienced teachers as long as they've studied with an accredited TEFL course provider. But if you want to earn the highest salaries at an international school, for example, you'll need previous teaching experience.
Visa requirements for teaching in Indonesia
To teach English in Indonesia legally, you’ll need to get the E23 work visa, also known as the KITAS (Limited Stay Permit).
Here’s what you’ll need to get the visa:
- Proof of employment
- Clean criminal background check
- Bachelor’s degree
- 120-hour TEFL course
- A valid passport from the US, UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or Canada; or years of experience in your field
But it's not just as simple as getting your documents in place, here are the steps for getting the E23 visa and KITAS:
- Secure a job before arrival: You’ll need to secure a job before arriving in Indonesia. That way, your employer can sponsor your visa application.
- Provide essential documents: Provide essential documents like your passport, degree, TEFL, and any other documents to your employer. Your employer will use these documents to sponsor your visa application and apply for RPTKA and your Telex Visa.
- Apply for visa: After your employer has received your Telex Visa, you can submit an application to the Indonesian e-visa website or at an embassy or consulate. This will allow you to enter Indonesia as a worker.
- Arrival & biometrics appointment: Within 30 days of your arrival, you’ll need to schedule a biometrics appointment at the immigration office, where you’ll then receive your KITAS work permit.
If you’re interested in teaching English online, you can enter Indonesia on a digital nomad visa like the E33G or B211A visa.
The E33G is valid for up to 1 year, but requires a minimum annual income of $60,000 / £44,300. The B211 visa is a go-to for online English teachers who earn less, allowing remote workers to stay in Indonesia for up to 60 days, but can be extended three times.
Important: Immigration rules can change, and the information above is not intended as legal advice. Be sure to check Indonesia’s official website or embassy in your region for updated visa rules.
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Salary and Cost of Living
It's easy to get by Indonesia on a budget, but affordable countries tend to offer lower salaries for workers. Find out how much you can save based on your teaching skills and lifestyle preferences as a teacher in Indonesia.
How much can you earn teaching English in Indonesia?
English teachers in Indonesia earn around Rp10–Rp35 million ($575–$2,000 / £425–£1,475) depending on factors like experience, qualifications, job, and location. This is more than enough to live comfortably in Indonesia, but if you want to boost your saving potential, consider private tutoring.
After gaining a few years of teaching experience, you can head to an international school where teachers earn much higher salaries.But it's not just the salary that you should be looking at, some teaching jobs offer benefits like:
- Accommodation or an allowance
- Airfare reimbursement
- Health insurance
- Reimbursed visa fee
How much does it cost to live in Indonesia?
You can expect to spend around Rp7 million ($400 / £295) per month excluding rent while living in Indonesia. It's important to do plenty of research on your location in Indonesia, because the cost of living fluctuates significantly not just based on lifestyles but also where you live.
For example, here’s how much monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment costs across Indonesia:
- Bali: Rp10–Rp19 million ($575–$1,090 / £425–£805)
- Jakarta: Rp3–Rp7 million ($170–$400 / £125–£295)
- Surabaya: Rp2.5–Rp6 million ($145–$345 / £105–£255)
- Yogyakarta: Rp2–Rp4 million ($115–$230 / £85–£170)
There’s a huge range between locations, with global hotspots like Bali costing significantly more than other areas of Indonesia, even its capital. If you're budget-conscious, here’s how you can stretch your teaching salary in Indonesia:
- Keep an open mind: Don’t set your sights exclusively on Bali – there are plenty of excellent places in Indonesia. Living outside the tourist hubs will save you plenty of money, and you can always visit these locations in the holidays.
- Shared housing: Sharing a house with other teachers or expats can save you money in the long run, especially expensive locations like Bali. Plus, you’ll meet people right off the bat.
- Eat at Warungs: If you’re in an international hub like Jakarta or Bali, sticking with local food is much cheaper than imported western food. Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng, rendang, or mie goreng can cost as little as Rp30,000 ($1.70 / £1.25) at local eateries, also known as Warungs.
- Use taxi apps: Taxi apps like Gojak or Grab offer fixed and reliable prices rather than independent taxis where prices can be manipulated.
Find out how much you can earn as an English teacher abroad
| Restaurants | IDR | USD | GBP |
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| Domestic beer (0.5 litre) | |||
| Regular cappuccino | |||
| Water (0.33 litre) | |||
| Markets | IDR | USD | GBP |
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| Loaf of white bread | |||
| Regular eggs (1 dozen) | |||
| Apples (1 kg) | |||
| Transportation | IDR | USD | GBP |
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| Monthly pass (regular price) | |||
| Taxi start (normal tariff) | |||
| Gasoline (1 litre) | |||
| Utilities | IDR | USD | GBP |
| Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage (for a regular apartment) | |||
| Regular prepaid monthly mobile tariff with 10GB+ data | |||
| Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | |||
| Clothing and shoes | IDR | USD | GBP |
| Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or something similar) | |||
| Summer dress in a chain store | |||
| Nike running shoes (mid-range) | |||
| Men's leather business shoes |
English Teaching Jobs in Indonesia
English teaching jobs in Indonesia can be found throughout the year, with most paid jobs coming in the private sector. Although English language is becoming a mandatory subject from the 2027/2028 school year, most public school teaching jobs come through volunteer projects.
Private language schools
Private language schools or academies are where you’ll mind most teaching opportunities in Indonesia. As a teacher at a language school in Indonesia, you could be teaching young learners studying after school or adults looking to improve their English in the workplace. Subjects range from conversational English to ESP (English for Specific Purposes) subjects like business English or IELTS preparation.
What to expect at a private language school in Indonesia:
- Weekend and evening classes
- Smaller classrooms sizes
- Teaching a range of ages, from young learners to adults
- Teaching subjects from general English, exam preparation, business English, and more
Tip: Qualifications like teaching young learners or business English are valuable at private language schools!
International schools
International schools in Indonesia offers a high standard of private education to local and international students. Teachers at these institutions are often required to teach a range of subjects with English as the main language instead of a second language. These schools usually have excellent and modern classroom facilities for teachers to use because of the profits they make.
What to expect at an international school in Indonesia:
- Teaching local and international students
- Following an international curriculum
- Small class sizes
- Excellent salary and benefits, but high strict requirements and high expectations
Tip: Indonesia is a tropical country, but teachers should always dress respectfully – especially in a conservative society where many of the locals practice Islam.
Teaching English in Major Cities
Taking into account factors like lifestyle and job opportunities, here are some of the best locations for teachers to consider in Indonesia.
Teach English in Jakarta
Roughly half of the country's international tourists land in Bali, but Indonesia is so much more than just one island. The capital, Jakarta, is the political, economic, and cultural centre, and is also home to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) headquarters.
As a result of its social and economic significance, there are plenty of English teaching jobs in Jakarta. From private language academies, international schools, universities, and summer camps, teachers can find plenty of work in this busy hub. But it’s not the most walkable city, and you’ll need to be mindful of the congestion, pollution, and tropical monsoon climate.When you’re not engaging students in the classroom, you can embrace Indonesian culture through artistic festivals, ancestral worship, and more. Head to the National Museum, view the colonial architecture of its Old Town, or embrace diverse local customs at the Istiqlal Mosque or Jakarta Cathedral. Or, if you’ve got a free weekend, take a boat out to the stunning and biodiverse Thousand Islands.
Teach English in Bali
Bali is one of the few destinations that eclipses its own country on the world stage. The island is a natural paradise, digital nomad hub, surf haven, and thriving party hub. When you’re not educating the next generation or embracing its lavish nightlife, you can spend your time doing beach yoga, trekking volcanoes, or sauntering through its spiritual temples.
While it’s possible to teach English in Bali, it’s a competitive market. Many volunteer positions exist throughout the island, and paid teaching jobs come through language academies and international schools.
Just to reiterate, while Bali is high on many teachers’ lists, it’s an incredibly competitive job market. You’ll need a TEFL certificate and a bachelor’s degree, and previous experience goes a long way.
TEFL Org Teacher Story
Read Helen’s story to find out how she ditched a monotonous routine and found her feet teaching English and making a positive impact at local schools in Indonesia.
Helen, Indonesia
“In 2016, I gained my TEFL certificate for 120 hours of online and classroom study – I was free to travel the world as an English language teacher! Hoping that the next year would be much better than the last.
Following the furore of Brexit, I wondered what this country of 17,000 islands underlying the equator and with the highest population of Muslims in the world could teach me. I submitted an application and had a Skype interview, which went very well and my gut told me to go for it.
By doing TEFL, you’ll experience huge personal development. This cannot be understated and yet I don’t even know where to begin. I’ll just say that the version of me who arrived in January 2017 experienced huge upgrades in areas where they were needed by the end of the year. When you remove yourself from a monotonous and comfortable environment and put yourself in a place where every day is an adventure and a challenge where you are constantly learning - you adapt magnificently.”
Want to find out more about where our graduates went? Check out more student stories from The TEFL Org! Or, check out Francesca’s tip for teaching in an international school teacher in Bali!
Ready to Become an English Teacher? Don’t Forget Your TEFL Certificate
A TEFL certification can act as your gateway to teaching jobs across the globe, but it also helps you build confidence in the classroom. By becoming TEFL certified, you’ll learn about different teaching methodologies, managing large classrooms, lesson planning, and preparation, and more to thrive in the classroom, not just belong on paper.Get started today with The TEFL Org’s 120-hour course to teach English abroad!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much do TEFL teachers make in Indonesia?
English teachers in Indonesia earn around Rp10–Rp35 million ($575–$2,000 / £425–£1,475). This salary varies depending on whether they work at a private language school or international school, and their level of TEFL training and experience.
Q. Does Bali need English teachers?
Yes, Bali needs English teachers to cater to their enormous tourist demand. However, competition is extremely high on this popular island, with most positions being volunteer roles or at international school. Otherwise, you can also find plenty of teaching jobs in the rest of Indonesia.
Q. Is it easy to get a job in Indonesia as a foreigner?
It’s not “easy,” but it’s simple when you break down the steps. You need to be a native English speaker with a TEFL certification and a bachelor’s degree, and you’ll need to find a job before entering Indonesia to enter on the E23 visa and KITAS work permit.
Q. Can I teach English in Indonesia as a non-native speaker?
It’s difficult (but not impossible) to teach English in Indonesia as a non-native English speaker. Many employers require teachers to have a passport from the following countries: US, UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or Canada, or at least 5 years of professional teaching experience for non-native speakers.
