Salaries

• The general starting salary is between TWD 43,200 to TWD 45,600 per month for the minimum of 80 hours teaching
• There are increments for CELTA / TESOL / PGCE qualifications and previous teaching experience (minimum one year)
• An average teacher, however, teaches more than the basic minimum and therefore average salaries are usually in the region of TWD 50,000
• So as to provide financial security for new teachers, for the first six months of the contract an ‘hour bank’ system operates

• At the end of the guarantee period any hours worked in excess of the monthly average will be paid as overtime, and any deficit hours will be erased
• When off the ‘hour bank system’ teachers will be paid for the actual hours worked, regardless of if they are more or less than 80

Deductions

Tax

• Teachers arriving between the start of December and the end of June will pay 20% tax for the first 6 months (183 days) and then this will drop down to 10%
• Teachers will be entitled to a tax rebate on all tax paid
• Teachers arriving between the start of July and the end of November will pay 20% until the end of the following June and then this will drop to 10%
• Teachers will be entitled to a tax rebate on all tax paid from January (December’s salary since salaries are paid on the 10th of the following month) and the end of the contract period
• The rebate can sometimes be as much as £1000 by the end of the contract, thus many teachers look on it a kind of compulsory savings plan. Head Office staff or the franchise owners will help teachers with completing the necessary paperwork

Insurance

• All teachers need to take out a private insurance policy that lasts for at least the first 8 weeks
• Teachers have the option of then joining the SEST insurance scheme or continuing with the scheme from their home country
• All teachers also become members of the national insurance scheme after obtaining their work permit and ARC (Alien Residence Certificate)

Cost of living

The cost of living in Taiwan is low. Travelling around the country, eating and drinking in Chinese restaurants and bars are all very affordable. Teachers who endulge in a more western lifestyle (eating in western style restaurants etc), can ,however, expect to spend more. For those who have sound financial self-discipline, Taiwan also offers an excellent saving potential. An average teacher can leave Taiwan with a minimum of GBP 2000!