Tutor contract terms are the part of joining a platform most tutors skim, and the part that matters most when something goes wrong. A marketplace’s terms decide who controls your rate, whether trials are paid, what happens when students don’t show, how you’re penalised and how you leave. This guide walks through eight clauses to read before joining any tutoring marketplace, explains why each matters, and uses Tutopiya’s own Tutor Marketplace Terms as a worked example.

Key takeaways

• Read the full terms before joining. Marketing pages don’t tell the whole story.
• Rates, trials, absences, payments, technical rules, penalties, subscriptions and resignation are the eight clauses that matter most.
• Terms can change, so re-read them periodically.
• On Tutopiya, you keep 100% of your hourly rate, trials are one hour and unpaid, and one month’s notice is needed if you have classes booked.
• Keep a copy of the terms you agreed to.

The 8 clauses, and Tutopiya’s answers

1. Rates and rate changes

Why it matters: your rate is your income, so who controls it matters.

Tutopiya: tutors are paid 100% of their agreed hourly rate for completed lessons. You set a starting rate during sign-up. After that, rates are managed by Tutopiya: tutors can request revisions, but approval is at Tutopiya’s discretion, and Tutopiya may adjust rates based on market research and demand.

2. Commission

Why it matters: deducted vs on-top commission changes take-home pay.

Tutopiya: a 40–50% commission is added on top of the tutor’s rate and charged to the student, about 50% in developed markets and nearer 40% elsewhere. It isn’t deducted from the tutor’s earnings, and the rates may be revised.

3. Trial lessons

Why it matters: unpaid trials are an investment of your time.

Tutopiya: every new student starts with a one-hour trial, which is free for the student and unpaid for the tutor. If a student doesn’t join, the tutor waits 15 minutes before the trial is forfeited. The tutor who runs the trial is generally assigned as the student’s primary tutor.

4. Student absences and cancellations

Why it matters: no-shows can cost you income.

Tutopiya: for regular paid classes, if a student doesn’t attend without notice, the tutor waits 30 minutes and is then eligible for compensation of up to one hour.

5. Payment schedule

Why it matters: cash flow.

Tutopiya: lessons taught in a calendar month are paid on the 15th of the following month, only into the tutor’s own bank account.

6. Technical requirements

Why it matters: you’re often responsible for disruptions.

Tutopiya: lessons must be taught on a PC or laptop (not a phone or tablet), in a quiet, well-lit room, and not while travelling. Tutors are responsible for disruptions on their side and should have backups.

7. Conduct and penalties

Why it matters: late starts or cancellations can have consequences.

Tutopiya: no penalties by default, but repeated or serious violations, such as late starts, frequent rescheduling, no-shows or negligence leading to refunds, can lead to financial penalties, suspension, restricted new students or removal.

8. Subscription and resignation

Why it matters: fixed costs and your freedom to leave.

Tutopiya: one plan must be active (SGD 10/month, SGD 20 for 3 months or SGD 90/year). Fees are non-refundable. You can leave any time if no regular classes are booked. With classes booked, one month’s written notice is required, and pending payments may be held if it isn’t served.

The 8 clauses at a glance

Clause	Tutopiya
Rates	Starting rate set by you; later changes approved by Tutopiya
Commission	40–50% on top, paid by the student
Trials	1 hour, unpaid
Absences	Up to 1 hour compensation after a 30-minute wait (regular classes)
Payment	15th of the following month, to your own account
Technical	PC/laptop, quiet room, not while travelling, backups
Penalties	Only for repeated or serious violations
Subscription / leaving	Non-refundable plan; 1 month’s notice if classes are booked

How to review any platform’s terms: step by step

1. Download or save the full terms.
2. Find each of the eight clauses. If one is missing, ask.
3. Note anything unclear and email support for clarification.
4. Calculate take-home using the commission and fee clauses.
5. Check your other commitments: employer contracts, visas and tax.
6. Keep a copy with the date you accepted.
7. Re-read after updates. Platforms can change terms.

Read Tutopiya’s terms in full, and see the Tutopiya Become a Tutor page for an overview. Browse subjects on the Cambridge IGCSE tutor jobs hub.

Questions to ask support before you join

If any clause is unclear, ask in writing and keep the answer. Useful questions:

1. “How are rate change requests made, and how long do they take?”
2. “What counts as a completed lesson for payment?”
3. “What happens if a student cancels at short notice?”
4. “How are penalties decided, and can I respond?”
5. “If I take a break, what happens to my regular students?”
6. “Can I change subscription plan, and when does a change take effect?”

Clear written answers protect both you and the platform, and they tell you a lot about the support you’ll get later.

Common mistakes tutors make with terms

• Not reading them. Most disputes come from clauses people skipped.
• Assuming you control your rate forever. Check the rate-change clause.
• Ignoring the notice period. It affects final payments.
• Teaching from a phone or while travelling. Many platforms prohibit it.
• Not re-reading after updates.

Talk to us

To understand commission in depth, read tutoring platform commission explained. For subscription details, see tutor subscription plans: what you’re paying for. Questions about any clause? Contact the Tutopiya team.

Frequently asked questions

Which tutor marketplace terms matter most? +

The clauses on rates and rate changes, commission, trial lessons, student absences and cancellations, payment schedule, technical requirements, conduct penalties, subscriptions, and resignation notice. Together they decide your take-home pay, flexibility and obligations.

Can a tutoring platform change its terms after I join? +

Usually, yes. Most marketplace terms, including Tutopiya's, allow the platform to update them, and tutors are responsible for following the latest version. Re-read the terms periodically, especially the sections on rates, commission and subscriptions.

What notice do I need to give to leave Tutopiya? +

If you have no regular classes booked, you can leave at any time, and Tutopiya asks you to let them know. If you have regular classes booked, the terms require one month's written notice for handover. Pending payments may be held if notice isn't served.

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