Home music studio teaching one instrument

Parents of school-age children, plus adult learners and returning players.

Students pay per lesson or per term in advance. Most teachers charge by the half-hour or hour, and a full after-school timetable brings in steady weekly income.

• Playing or singing well enough to teach beginners and intermediates
• Patience and clear explanation
• Organising a timetable and chasing payments

• Working With Children Check or equivalent: requirements differ by state and territory, so check yours
• Council approval for a home-based business and noise rules for neighbours, check with your local council
• Public liability insurance, and whether your home insurance covers visitors for business
• Cancellations and missed lessons, so set a clear payment and make-up policy up front

Startup costs are typically around $300 to $2,500, depending on your instrument, room setup and materials. These are estimates, so price your own studio and any insurance before taking on students.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many weekly students you build up and your lesson rates. Set a clear payment and make-up policy up front to manage cancellations.

Check Working With Children Check requirements, which differ by state and territory. Also check with your local council about home-based business approval and noise rules, and look into public liability insurance and whether your home insurance covers visitors.