Bonus Payment FAQ's
Written by Daphne Lim - Updated
About the Recent Changes to Service Fees & Bonuses
We know you might have questions about the recent update to the Service Fee cap and the introduction of Reserve Fees. We want to be 100% transparent about why we made this change and how it impacts your earnings.
In short: our business costs significantly increased, we had to adjust the Service Fee slightly to ensure KIS remains sustainable — without reducing tutor pay. At the same time, we’ve introduced a Reserve Fee that helps fund new milestone-based bonuses and performance programs, giving you more opportunities to increase your overall earnings.
Our goal remains the same: to be Australia’s most tutor-friendly platform and to keep helping you earn well, do great work, and grow your tutoring success.
Below are some common questions we’ve already received — we hope this helps clarify things. And of course, if you have more questions or feedback, we’d love to hear from you.
Why did KIS increase the Service Fee cap from 33% to 36%?
The small increase helps us cover significant rises in business costs — things like technology infrastructure, legal compliance, and customer support. Instead of cutting tutor pay, which we didn’t want to do, we adjusted the Service Fee slightly to ensure we can continue running a high-quality platform for you and your students.
Does this mean KIS is taking more profit from tutors?
No — the purpose of the adjustment is not to take more profit. In fact, we’ve introduced the “Reserve Fee” structure specifically to give tutors more opportunities to earn through bonuses. The 36% cap allows us to run the platform sustainably without needing to lower your pay rates. It ensures KIS remains a place where tutors can continue to thrive.
Why isn’t my base rate just higher, instead of this Reserve Fee system?
The Reserve Fee structure allows us to reward loyalty and consistent tutoring in a more flexible and sustainable way. By offering milestone-based bonuses, we can give more to tutors who continue engaging with their students — and you can clearly see your progress toward earning these bonuses in the KIS-App. It creates a more dynamic earning opportunity rather than a flat rate.
How can I see how much I’ve earned through bonuses or what I’m eligible for?
You can track your progress and see your upcoming bonus eligibility in real time via the KIS-App. It’s fully transparent — you’ll always know what bonuses are coming your way and when you’ll receive them.
Will this affect my current students?
No — existing pairings created before 28 May 2025 remain under the same pay and fee structure. These changes only apply to new students you take on from 28 May 2025 onwards.
What do “performance-based programs” or “Reserve Fee” funds actually go toward?
These funds are set aside specifically for tutor bonuses, milestone rewards, and other future tutor-facing incentives. They are not used for unrelated business costs — they go back to rewarding tutors for their dedication and consistent work with students. You’ll always be able to track your eligibility and progress toward these rewards transparently via the KIS-App.
Does this change mean I’ll be earning less overall?
No — the aim of this update is to give you more earning potential, not less. While the base rate is listed as $40/hr, the new system allows you to earn more through milestone bonuses, which are funded through the Reserve Fee. Over time, this means your total earnings per student can actually be higher than under the previous model.
Is KIS becoming less tutor-friendly?
Absolutely not. Our goal is to remain the most tutor-friendly tutoring platform in Australia. These changes were carefully designed to avoid cutting tutor pay and to add new earning opportunities instead — even in the face of rising business costs.
Why didn’t KIS communicate this earlier?
We’ve been working through the financial modelling and platform updates required to implement this fairly. We wanted to be fully transparent once all details were confirmed — and we are continuing to welcome feedback.
How do these changes benefit tutors long-term?
This model allows KIS to remain sustainable and invest in new student acquisition — which means more opportunities for tutors — while also ensuring that tutors are rewarded for loyalty and consistency through bonuses. It helps us build a stronger, more rewarding platform for everyone.
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