Family day care from your home

Working parents, with much of the fee often offset by the Child Care Subsidy, which is usually paid through the service.

A daily or hourly fee per child. Your earnings depend on how many children you can care for, your opening hours and how the service handles fees and its own cut.

• Patient and caring with young children
• Organised, with routines and record keeping
• Clear, friendly communication with parents

• Educators usually work under an approved service, so check whether you would be an employee or a contractor and what that means for tax and ABN
• Check child-to-educator ratios and your home safety, fencing and inspection requirements with the service and your state regulator
• Check whether your council needs approval for running a business from home
• Check public liability insurance and what the service already covers
• Check your lease or strata rules if you rent or live in an apartment
• Long hours and a busy home, so plan how your family fits around the work

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your home setup, safety equipment and play resources. Check with your approved service and state regulator what your home needs before you begin.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,500 to $9,000, depending on the number of children you care for and your hours. The work is long, typically about 30 hours a week or more.

Educators usually work under an approved service, so check whether you would be an employee or contractor and what that means for tax and ABN. Check child-to-educator ratios, home safety and inspection requirements, council approval, insurance, and any lease or strata rules.