Teach in Malaysia
8 agencies in this directory say they recruit teachers for schools in Malaysia, including Aristotle Teachers, Byron Recruitment and Teacher Recruit.
Recruitment agency
Says it places teachers, professors and trainers in international schools, universities and training academies in 36+ countries
Recruitment agency
Specialist recruitment service connecting international schools with experienced educators and leaders
Recruitment agency
Describes itself as a specialist in international education recruitment with a teacher-matching service and job board
Search firm / recruitment fairs · London, United Kingdom
Recruits school leaders (Head, Principal, Director) for international schools
Recruitment agency · Hangzhou, China
Specialist bespoke recruitment of international teachers; says it was founded in 2018 and works with over 300 global schools
Recruitment platform
Teacher-hiring platform and app for international schools; says registration is free with no agency fees
Recruitment agency · York, United Kingdom
Connects teachers with international schools across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean
Recruitment agency
Places English-speaking qualified primary and secondary teachers in international schools
Malaysia registers every educational institution under Section 79 of the Education Act 1996. International schools are private schools using a foreign curriculum, and a StudyMalaysia guide says Malaysian students may attend them, since the admission quota was abolished in 2012. For a UK teacher the key gates are the school's Ministry of Education registration, the Ministry's support for your pass, and the salary band your Employment Pass falls into.
StudyMalaysia says schools apply to the Private Education Division of the Ministry of Education using Form BPS 1, and approval letters run for two years. Operating an unregistered institution is an offence under the Act.
It says international schools must use a foreign curriculum taught in English and approved by the Registrar General, such as British, American, Australian or Canadian. Schools offering IGCSE need a letter from the Cambridge representative, and must gain international accreditation within three years of opening. They must still teach Bahasa Melayu, Islamic Studies or Moral Education, and Malaysian History to Malaysian pupils.
The same guide says foreign instructors need a Ministry letter of support to obtain an Employment Pass, a teaching contract, and a teaching permit. It says schools are encouraged to hire local teachers with professional education qualifications.
Baker McKenzie reports that from 1 June 2026 Employment Pass Category III moves to a salary band of MYR 5,000 to 9,999, Category II to MYR 10,000 to 19,999 and Category I to MYR 20,000 and above. Category III lasts five years at most. We could not confirm how these bands apply to school staff, so ask your employer which category it will file under.
GOV.UK says UK passport holders can enter for tourism without a visa for 90 days, but any non-tourist purpose needs a visa applied for before travel. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the east coast islands of Sabah between Sandakan and Tawau, citing kidnapping risk.
Malaysia · IB
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia · BSO, COBIS
Johor, Malaysia · FOBISIA
Kajang, Malaysia · FOBISIA
Sungai Buluh, Malaysia · FOBISIA
Bandar Enstek, Malaysia · COBIS, FOBISIA
Malaysia · IB
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia · COBIS, FOBISIA
Penang, Malaysia · FOBISIA
Selangor, Malaysia · FOBISIA
Malaysia · IB
Malaysia · IB
See all 34 schools in Malaysia
These agencies say they recruit worldwide without naming Malaysia specifically: FlyTeachers, Perrett Laver (Global Schools Practice), Anthony Millard Consulting, ANZUK Education, Atlas Teachers, Edvectus, International Schools Services (ISS), RSAcademics, Schrole, Search Associates, Teach Away, Teacher Horizons, Teaching Abroad Direct, Tes (international jobs), TIC Recruitment, TIE Online (The International Educator), TrueTeaching, WISHlistjobs, Spencer Group, Jackson Hayes Recruitment, RG175.
GOV.UK says non-tourist travel needs a visa from a Malaysian diplomatic mission before you travel. Your employer normally leads the Employment Pass process, so ask what they will file and when.
StudyMalaysia says foreign teachers need it to obtain an Employment Pass. Ask the school whether it holds a current registration and who requests the letter.
StudyMalaysia says every school must be registered before operating or advertising. Ask for the registration certificate and check it with the Private Education Division.
Baker McKenzie lists a five-year maximum for Category III and ten years for Categories I and II, the latter with a succession plan. Your actual pass depends on your contract.