Tutoring, education and childcare businesses
Education businesses range from one tutor helping students after school to long day care centres with dozens of staff. All of them work with children, so safety and screening come first, and childcare in particular is heavily regulated. This guide explains the main models, what approvals each one needs, and how to build a business families trust.
In short
- Tutoring and classes can start small, but anyone working with children usually needs a Working with Children Check from their state or territory.
- Formal childcare services need provider and service approval under the National Law, and separate approval to offer the Child Care Subsidy.
- ACECQA recommends completing its National Law and Child Care Subsidy Approval Course before you apply.
- Build child safety into your policies, hiring, supervision and online teaching from the start.
- Families choose on trust - clear communication, results and reviews matter most.
Choose your model
| Model | Examples | Main approvals |
|---|---|---|
| One-to-one tutoring | School subjects, exam preparation, music | Working with Children Check |
| Group classes and coaching | Coding clubs, art, languages, sport | Working with Children Check, venue rules |
| Online education | Live online classes, courses | Working with Children Check where you teach minors; privacy and online safety |
| Tutoring centre | Premises with several tutors | Checks for every staff member, council, lease |
| Formal childcare | Long day care, family day care, outside school hours care | National Law provider and service approval, plus Child Care Subsidy approval |
Formal childcare is a very different business from tutoring. It’s regulated, staff-heavy and slow to set up. Many people start with tutoring or classes, which have fewer formal approvals.
Working with Children Checks
In Australia, people who work or volunteer with children are screened. According to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, each state and territory has a single screening unit that conducts these checks. The schemes differ in:
- what history may prevent someone from being registered
- how long the registration lasts
- who needs to be registered.
So check the rules in each state or territory where you or your staff will work, including for online teaching. Governments are working towards more consistent national checks, as the National Office for Child Safety explains, but for now each scheme is separate.
Opening a childcare service
If you’re planning a centre-based or family day care service, read the ACECQA guide to opening a new service first. ACECQA (the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority) explains that you need:
- Provider approval from your state or territory regulatory authority under the National Law.
- Service approval for each service, also under the National Law.
- Child Care Subsidy approval from the Australian Government under Family Assistance Law, if families will claim the subsidy.
Applications go through the NQA IT System, and you can apply for National Law and Child Care Subsidy approval at the same time. ACECQA recommends completing its National Law and Child Care Subsidy Approval Course before you apply.
Services also have to meet the National Quality Standard, staffing and qualification requirements, and building and planning rules. Talk to your regulatory authority, council and professional advisers early. This guide doesn’t cover funding programs, tax or employment obligations.
Build child safety in from the start
- Write clear policies: child safety, supervision, communication with students, online teaching, photos, and reporting concerns.
- Screen everyone: Working with Children Checks, references and interviews.
- Keep sessions visible: open doors, public areas or a parent nearby where possible.
- Online safety: use your business account, not a personal one, communicate through parents for younger students, and don’t record sessions without consent.
- Protect personal information about children and families. See Cyber security and backups.
Pricing
- Know your costs: preparation time, travel, materials, software, venue hire and your own pay.
- Check local and online rates for your subject and level.
- Offer packages or terms to smooth your income, with a clear cancellation policy.
- Put it in writing: fees, payment dates, cancellations and makeup sessions.
See Getting paid.
Finding students and families
- Word of mouth: happy families are your best marketing. Ask for reviews and referrals.
- Local networks: schools’ community noticeboards (where allowed), libraries, sports clubs and community groups.
- A simple website and Google Business Profile, with your subjects, approach, checks and availability. See Building a small business website.
- Show results with permission, such as progress stories without identifying details.
- Clear communication: short progress updates after sessions build trust and retention.
Common questions
Do tutors need a Working with Children Check?
In most cases, yes. Each state and territory runs its own Working with Children Check scheme, and the rules on who needs one, what’s checked and how long it lasts differ between them. Check the screening unit in each state where you’ll work.
What approvals do I need to open a childcare centre?
Under the National Law you need provider approval and service approval from your state or territory regulatory authority. To offer the Child Care Subsidy, you also need approval from the Australian Government. ACECQA explains that both applications can be made at the same time through the NQA IT System.
Can I run a tutoring business from home?
Many tutors work from home, at students’ homes or online. Check council rules if students come to your home, keep the space safe and visible, and have clear policies on supervision, communication with students and online sessions.
How should I price tutoring?
Check local and online rates for your subject and level, then factor in preparation time, travel, materials, software and your own pay. Many tutors offer packages or terms, with a clear cancellation policy.