Local babysitter for regular families

Parents with young or school-age children, often working families, single parents and couples wanting a night out.

Hourly rate, often with a higher rate for late nights, public holidays, extra children or short-notice bookings. Regular weekly clients make income steadier.

• Patient and calm with children
• Reliable and trusted by parents
• Basic first aid and safety awareness

• A working with children check is needed in most states and territories for child-related work, so check your state's rules and the name of the check
• If families want to claim Child Care Subsidy, in-home care has its own approval rules, so check with Services Australia before promising this
• Get an ABN if you are operating as a sole trader and keep records so you can report your income for tax
• Check whether public liability insurance suits your situation
• Agree house rules, emergency contacts, allergies and pick-up arrangements with parents in advance

Startup costs are typically around $100 to $500, depending on what you need for checks, insurance and basic supplies. These are estimates only, so check current prices for your state and situation before you begin.

Check your state or territory's working with children check rules and the name of the check. Also check whether public liability insurance suits you, get an ABN if you're a sole trader, and ask Services Australia about Child Care Subsidy rules if families raise it.

Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $1,500, depending on how many regular families you have and how often they book. Expect to put in at least about 4 hours a week. These are estimates, not guarantees.