Drama school with its own studio

Parents of children and teenagers, adult learners, and sometimes schools or community groups booking workshops.

Term fees, school holiday workshop fees, production fees and studio hire for other groups when it is not in use.

• Strong teaching and acting experience
• Managing staff and budgets
• Marketing and enrolment management
• Organising productions

• Check with your local council before signing a lease whether the premises need planning approval or a change of use for a studio with students
• Check your state or territory's Working with Children Check rules, as a check is generally needed for staff and volunteers working with children before they start
• Check your public liability insurance needs, and your state's workers compensation insurance requirements once you hire staff
• Lease commitments are a real risk if enrolments fall short, so get advice before signing
• Check with the rights holder or licensing agency whether performance rights or licences are needed for scripts, music and musicals before staging shows

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your studio lease, fit-out, insurance and marketing. These are estimates, and lease commitments are a real risk if enrolments fall short, so get advice first.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on enrolments, the number of classes and holiday programs, and your team. Plan for around 25 hours a week or more of work.

Check with your council before signing a lease whether planning approval or change of use is needed. Also check Working with Children Check rules, public liability and workers compensation insurance, and performance rights for scripts and music.