What does a tutor do?
Tutors provide additional learning support to students—outside of their regular studies—to help them achieve their learning goals. They can be employed privately or by a tutoring company or university and work with students in one-on-one or small groups sessions, in-person or online. Tutors personalise lessons according to their student’s needs and interests. They find learning materials and create lessons, assign quizzes, tests or homework, assess their students’ progress and provide helpful advice, criticism and encouragement. Tutors also act as ‘homework helpers’, helping students to understand their homework tasks. Some tutors focus specifically on helping students prepare for exams.
Tutor skills and qualifications
A candidate must possess certain skills and qualifications to excel as a tutor, including:
- strong communication and interpersonal skills
- active listening skills
- in-depth theoretical and practical understanding of their subject area
- basic computer skills
- strong teaching skills, including the ability to explain complicated concepts to students of all levels
- a friendly, approachable and positive manner.
Tutor experience requirements
Tutors in Australia are not required to have any specific work experience. However, they must have in-depth knowledge of their subject area. This could be demonstrated, for example, through high academic achievement. Some tutors have teaching experience, however, it is not essential, as many tutoring companies provide in-house training on teaching strategies, activities and techniques. In fact, many tutoring companies prefer to hire university students, as they have a good understanding of the stresses and pressures that students face.
Tutor education and training requirements
As a minimum, tutors should have a high school certificate and solid academic results. Tutors who are registered with the Australian Tutoring Association—the national peak tutoring body—or a state-based teaching body, such as the Victorian Institute of Teaching, will be highly regarded by employers.
Tutors who work with minors must have the relevant certifications, such as a Working with Children Check, police check and first aid certificate.
Tutor salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a tutor in Australia is $32.47 per hour. Remuneration levels for tutors may vary depending on their experience, location and employer.
Job description samples for similar positions
If you didn’t find exactly what you were looking for, you might want to check out some job descriptions templates for related positions:
Tutor job description FAQs
What qualities make a good tutor?
In-depth subject knowledge is essential, but there are other important qualities to look for in a tutor. A good tutor is able to build a strong rapport with their students and get to know them on a personal level. This helps them to identify their student’s strengths and weaknesses and design more personalised lessons. A good tutor is also flexible and patient, adapts to their student’s needs when necessary and frequently communicates with parents.
What are the different types of tutors?
Some tutors work as freelancers and are hired privately. They usually tutor students in one-on-one sessions. Other tutors are employed by tutoring companies and may teach small groups or one-on-one classes. Online tutors use video conferencing technology and online learning platforms to give classes to learners across the world. These tutors may work for tutoring companies or as freelancers. Homework helpers offer more limited tutoring services, focusing specifically on helping students to understand and complete their homework tasks.
What is the difference between a tutor and a teacher?
The main difference is that a teacher leads large classes of up to 30 students, whereas a tutor works with learners in one-on-one classes or small groups. Because of this, teachers spend more of their time dealing with behaviour issues in the classroom and must use teaching methods and strategies that suit the majority of the students. Tutors adopt a more personalised, flexible and student-centred approach. They build on the curriculum, which teachers deliver in the classroom, presenting the concepts students learn in new and easy-to-understand ways. Teachers are also required to have a university degree in education and be registered with a state-based teacher registration body, while tutors are generally only required to have a year 12 education.
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