
Have a teen who wants to work part-time? Or are you the parent who wants them to? Whatever the reason, keep up with the rules and regulations of part-time jobs for students in Singapore.
It was decades ago but I still remember the sense of achievement and accomplishment when I received my very first paycheck as a 15 year told teenager. At a time when I was starting to explore what it means to be independent, while developing a sense of self and identity, having a part-time job opened my eyes to a whole new world. More than time and money management, I learnt how to work with people across all age groups, think on my feet, and problem solve in ways that are beyond the school’s curriculum. From luxury fashion to household products and even private tuition, I discovered so much about myself and others, and with my knowledge, I even started a business to offer solutions to brands in the supermarket. So, if you ask me, part-time jobs for students are a great way for teens to learn.
Benefits of part-time work for students in Singapore

The future of jobs will be very different from what we know now. The World Economic Forum estimates that 8% of current jobs will be displaced, but 14%, will be newly created. In this VUCA world, human-centred skills like creative thinking, flexibility, empathy, and leadership are the transferable skills that will help them adapt to the evolving work environment. And working part-time may benefit teens, helping them develop and grow these skills.
1. Working part-time gives students a broader perspective
Being out there in a different environment than school and home lets your teen see the world in a different light. They can’t know what they don’t know, and that goes the same for empathy and appreciation. For example, they won’t fully appreciate or see the effort behind a McDonald’s meal until they have stepped behind the counters and experience the full operations for themselves. Because all they see, as a consumer, is fast food. Part-time jobs for also helps your teen discover their strengths and weaknesses and gives them an insight into future career options – like how I found out that I’m not cut out to be a tuition teacher!
2. Part-time for students fosters life skills
Part-time jobs for students help them build essential life skills that go beyond the classroom. They’ll need to learn how to organise and manage their time, take responsibility and accountability. Most importantly, part-time jobs for students are great for helping teenagers learn and practice independence – because you are not going to be there to solve everything for them!
3. Part-time for students boosts self-confidence
Handling real-world responsibilities instills self-confidence and self-efficacy (the “I can” attitude). Especially when they can see the results of their efforts, for example, helping a customer solve an issue. Part-time jobs for students gives them a sense of achievement and some teens might even feel a sense of purpose. These experiences are essential as the teenage years are a time when our kids shape their identity through interactions with the world.
Preparing your teen for part-time work in Singapore

Whether it is out of necessity, experience, or to get them out of your hair and their computers, make sure to have a chat with them before inducting them into part-time work for students. Here are some things you might talk about.
- Share your personal experiences at work, whether it is part-time or full-time. They need to know that some struggles, like feeling awkward on the first day of work, are universal. Sharing what you did, gives them an idea about what they can do.
- Understand their intrinsic motivations. Ask why they want to take up a part-time job (if they are the ones to ask) and what do they hope to take back from the experience. They may just say it’s money, help them see what else they may pick up from part-time work.
- Discuss how studies and part-time work will be managed. Set expectations for school, work, activities, and rest.
- Talk money! What are they going to do with the money? Take the chance to ask them how money makes them feel, and you might even talk about financial planning.
- It’s their first time navigating the world, without you. Talk about safety at the workplace, what are their rights and boundaries to keep, and what they can do if their boundaries are overstepped.
Part-time work for students in Singapore: Law you need to know
1. Official requirements for students working part-time in Singapore

Ministry of Manpower states that teenagers who are citizens or PR can work in Singapore so long as they stick to the rules. The minimum age to work part-time in Singapore is 13 years old and they must also adhere to the following conditions:
- They are not permitted to work between 11pm and 6am.
- They are not allowed to work on public holidays without special permission from MOM.
- Teenagers aged 16 years and older can be employed in an industrial setting but the job must not involve injury risk, working on or servicing machinery, nor involve any underground work or uninsulated electrical apparatus.
2. Can my teenager work in Singapore as a non-citizen or PR?

Yes, it’s possible to send your teen out to work in Singapore. If your teenager is in Singapore on a Student Pass, MOM has given us the following info:
Students working part-time during school vacations
If a teenager holds a Student Pass, they can work in Singapore during their school vacations only, and without the need for a work pass. They do, however, need to meet the following rules and regulations:
- They should be aged 14 and above
- They need to be a full-time, registered student at one of the following approved institutions:
- Anglo-Chinese School (International) Singapore
- Australian International School
- Canadian International School
- Chatsworth International School
- Digipen
- Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
- Dulwich College (Singapore)
- EHL Campus (Singapore)
- ESSEC Business School (Singapore)
- German European School Singapore
- German Institute of Science and Technology – TUM Asia
- Government Junior Colleges
- Government secondary schools
- Government-aided Junior Colleges
- Government-aided secondary schools
- Hwa Chong International School
- Hollandse School
- Independent schools
- INSEAD, Singapore
- Institute of Technical Education, Singapore
- International Community School
- ISS International School
- The Japanese School Singapore
- LaSalle College of the Arts
- Lycee Francais De Singapour
- Millenia Institute
- Mountbatten Vocational School
- Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
- Nanyang Polytechnic
- Nanyang Technological University
- National University of Singapore
- Nexus International School (Singapore)
- Ngee Ann Polytechnic
- Overseas Family School
- Republic Polytechnic
- S P Jain School of Global Management Singapore
- Saint Joseph’s Institution International School
- Sekolah Indonesia
- Special Education schools
- Specialised Independent schools
- Specialised schools
- Singapore American School
- Singapore Institute of Technology
- Singapore Korean International School
- Singapore Management University
- Singapore Polytechnic
- Singapore University of Social Sciences
- Singapore University of Technology and Design
- Sorbonne-Assas International Law School – Asia
- Stamford American International School
- Swiss School in Singapore
- Tanglin Trust School
- Temasek Polytechnic
- University of the Arts Singapore
- United World College of South East Asia
- Waseda Shibuya Senior High School in Singapore
- XCL World Academy
- Yale-NUS College of the National University of Singapore
Students working part-time during school term
If your teenager is studying at one of the following institutions and is on a Student Pass, then they can work during school term in Singapore so long as they only work for a maximum of 16 hours per week:
- Digipen
- Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
- EHL Campus (Singapore)
- ESSEC Business School (Singapore)
- German Institute of Science and Technology – TUM Asia
- INSEAD, Singapore
- Institute of Technical Education, Singapore
- LaSalle College of the Arts
- Mountbatten Vocational School
- Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
- Nanyang Polytechnic
- Nanyang Technological University
- National University of Singapore
- Ngee Ann Polytechnic
- Republic Polytechnic
- S P Jain School of Global Management Singapore
- Special Education schools
- Specialised schools
- Singapore Institute of Technology
- Singapore Management University
- Singapore Polytechnic
- Singapore University of Social Sciences
- Singapore University of Technology and Design
- Sorbonne-Assas International Law School – Asia
- Temasek Polytechnic
- Yale-NUS College of the National University of Singapore
3. When in doubt…
Prospective employees know who they can and can’t hire, and on what passes. When your teenager is looking for a job in Singapore, make sure they are upfront about what their residential status is. The employer will be able to advise. It’s also worth double-checking with a quick phone call to MOM if you have any doubts. The website is very helpful and will clear up any confusion.
4. Popular employment options for students in Singapore

Alternatively, Jobstreet, Fastjobs, Indeed or Werk are good places to get your teen searching for a job in Singapore. Pet lovers can find dog walking gigs on Pawshake and for those with a specific skill-set to offer, consider putting up a listing for their services on Carousell. If your teen is academically inclined and loves teaching, private tutoring with Nanyang Learning or Superprof may work out well for them.
Hot tip: Filter your search with keywords like, ‘part-time’, ‘student’, or ‘age 16’ to bring up the relevant jobs for your teen.