Teach in Hong Kong on the NET Scheme: Salary, Requirements & TEFL | ESLstarter
Monthly salary from HK$ 34,060 - HK$ 79,135 plus end contract gratuity, special allowance HK$20,989 / month (terms apply), two year teaching contract, public-sector schools.
Teach in Hong Kong on the NET Scheme
Teach English in Hong Kong's public primary and secondary schools on the government's Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme. Two-year contracts start in August, and you apply directly to the Education Bureau.
Teaching English in Hong Kong as a NET
The Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) Scheme places English teachers in Hong Kong's public-sector schools. It has run in secondary schools since 1998/99 and in primary schools since 2002/03.
As a NET, you'll teach English as a second language and help local teachers develop the English curriculum. Posts are in primary schools (ages 6 to 12), secondary schools (ages 12 to 18) and schools for students with special educational needs.
Pay is on the same scale as local teachers, and eligible teachers from overseas also get a generous monthly allowance, so it's one of the best-paid English teaching jobs in Asia.
The NET package
Figures from EDB's 2026 pay scale. Your starting salary depends on your qualifications and experience. Full terms on the EDB website.
Monthly salary on the civil service Master Pay Scale, rising with yearly increments
Special allowance to help with housing*
Together with MPF pension contributions, worth up to 15% of your total basic salary
Passage and baggage allowances to and from your home country*
Towards the cost of your medical insurance*
Paid holidays, which may include Christmas, Chinese New Year, Easter and summer
*For appointees whose normal place of residence is outside Hong Kong, and who (or whose spouse) aren't receiving similar benefits. Terms apply.
Who can apply?
EDB sets the requirements in several categories and considers the most qualified candidates first. You'll need native-level English, plus the qualifications below. In summary:
Primary NETs
- A bachelor's degree, ideally in English or a related subject
- A recognised teacher training qualification, ideally in primary education
- A TEFL/TESL qualification at certificate level or above, recognised by EDB
If not enough trained teachers apply, EDB may consider a degree plus a TEFL/TESL certificate, on a lower salary bar.
Secondary NETs
- A bachelor's degree, ideally in English, Linguistics or a related subject
- A PGDE or equivalent, ideally majoring in English
- At least one year of post-graduate English teaching experience
A TEFL/TESL qualification, preferably at diploma level, strengthens your application and is needed in some categories.
Read the full criteria on EDB's Primary NET and Secondary NET pages, and EDB's TEFL/TESL requirements at certificate level and diploma level.
Get your TEFL in place
Every primary NET category asks for a TEFL/TESL qualification. For secondary posts, it can strengthen your application. Our partner TEFL UK's 168-hour Level 5 Certificate in TEFL is an Ofqual-regulated qualification at the same level as CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL, studied online with a personal tutor.
Why the Level 5?
- Regulated by Ofqual, the UK's qualifications regulator
- The same level as CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL
- 168 hours, studied online in your own time
- Recognised by employers worldwide, so it's useful wherever you teach next
Check it against EDB's criteria first
EDB assesses every applicant's TEFL individually against its own published criteria, so no course provider can guarantee acceptance. Read EDB's certificate-level requirements before you enrol, and if you have any questions, contact us. We'll tell you how the Level 5 lines up.
From £239
168-hour Level 5 Certificate in TEFL, ESLstarter price with our partner TEFL UK. It also qualifies you for jobs in Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Where you'd teach
NETs work in public-sector schools across the whole of Hong Kong:
- Hong Kong Island
- Kowloon
- New Territories
- Lantau and outlying islands
Schools include primary schools, secondary schools and schools for students with special educational needs. If you'd prefer a smaller private school, see our other teaching jobs in Hong Kong.
How to apply
Check you're eligible
Compare your degree, teacher training, TEFL and experience with EDB's criteria for primary or secondary posts.
Get your TEFL in place
If you need a TEFL/TESL qualification, complete it before you apply.
Apply to EDB
Download the application form from the EDB website and send it to EDB before the deadline for your school year.
Interview and written test
Shortlisted candidates are invited to a web interview and a written test.
Join the candidate pool
Successful candidates' CVs go to schools that recruit through EDB. Contracts start in August.
Life in Hong Kong
- Low income tax. Hong Kong's salaries tax is among the lowest in the world.
- Food everywhere. From dai pai dong street stalls to dim sum and Michelin-starred restaurants.
- More than skyscrapers. Hiking trails, country parks and beaches are a short trip from the city.
- A travel hub. Most of Asia is a short flight away for your school holidays.
One of Asia's great cities
Teach in a public school by day, then take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour in the evening.
NET Scheme questions, answered
Can I apply for the NET Scheme through ESLstarter?
No. Applications for the NET Scheme go directly to Hong Kong's Education Bureau (EDB), which runs recruitment for schools. This page explains the scheme and the requirements, and links to the official EDB pages where you can apply.
How much do NET teachers earn in Hong Kong?
NETs are paid on the civil service Master Pay Scale, from HK$35,780 a month on the 2026 scale. Your starting point depends on your qualifications and experience. Eligible appointees from outside Hong Kong also receive a special allowance of HK$20,989 a month, passage, baggage and medical allowances, and an end-of-contract gratuity.
Do I need a teaching qualification for the NET Scheme?
Primary NETs are mainly recruited with a degree, a recognised teacher training qualification and a TEFL/TESL certificate. If not enough candidates with teacher training apply, EDB may consider applicants with a degree and a TEFL/TESL certificate, on a lower salary bar. Secondary NETs normally need a PGDE or equivalent, or an English-related degree with a TEFL/TESL diploma, plus at least one year of post-graduate teaching experience.
Which TEFL qualifications does the NET Scheme accept?
EDB assesses every applicant's TEFL/TESL qualification individually against its own published criteria, at certificate or diploma level depending on the post. No course provider can guarantee acceptance. Read EDB's criteria before you enrol on any course, and contact us if you'd like to know how the Level 5 TEFL lines up.
When does the NET Scheme start and when should I apply?
NET contracts normally start in August and run for two years. EDB recruits for each school year several months in advance, so check the EDB website for the current application deadline.
Is there a fee to apply?
No. There's no fee to apply to the NET Scheme, and ESLstarter doesn't charge anything for this guide.
More questions? Read our NET Scheme FAQ download.
Ready to apply for the NET Scheme?
Applications go directly to Hong Kong's Education Bureau. Get your TEFL in place first.
