Have you ever thought about how fun it would be to share your love of words and stories while getting paid for it?
Becoming an English tutor is one of those rewarding jobs that mixes passion with practicality. You get to help students feel confident about essays, spelling, grammar or creative writing while enjoying the flexibility of setting your own schedule.
It can fit into your life whether you are studying, working part-time, or even looking for a new career path. In Australia, tutoring platforms such as Learnmate make it easier than ever to get started. If you are curious about how to take the leap, let us walk through the steps.
Why should you consider English tutoring?
English tutoring is not just about correcting essays or teaching students how to use commas. It is about helping people find their voice. Many students struggle with confidence in reading and writing, and as a tutor, you are the person who can make a difference.
The best part is that you also learn as you teach. You will sharpen your communication skills, practise patience, and even rediscover classic books or writing techniques you had forgotten about. Plus, the demand is huge.
With recent learning disruptions, many families and students are searching for extra support. Whether you prefer to help primary school kids with reading, guide secondary school students through Shakespeare and argument development for VCE/HSC, or assist international students with conversational English, there is a space for you.
The steps to becoming an English tutor
Qualifications Needed
You do not need to be a qualified teacher to start tutoring, but you do need to show a strong command of English.
Many successful tutors are university students who have achieved high marks in English subjects or graduates who enjoy mentoring others. Of course, if you do hold a Bachelor of Education, an Arts degree, or even a Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate, that adds credibility.
To list your services on Learnmate, you’ll need a strong academic record and/or a teaching qualification, or demonstrable tutoring experience.
Working with Children Check (WWCC) & police check
In Australia, one of the non-negotiables is a Working with Children Check if you plan to teach anyone under 18. A National Police Check is also commonly required to build trust with families. Learnmate, one of Australia’s largest tutoring platforms, asks tutors to demonstrate their academic background and pass these checks before listing their services.
Degrees and certificates that help (but aren't mandatory)
Education, Arts, Linguistics, Creative Writing, TESOL/TEFL, and even Cert IV Training & Assessment can add credibility and give you the necessary skills to become an English tutor - but curriculum understanding, clarity, preparation, and reliability will matter most.
Who can become a tutor? (It's more about fit than age)
Age does not really matter. Some tutors start straight out of school after strong HSC/VCE/IB English results; others begin post-retirement and/or after careers in teaching or academia.
What matters more is passion, reliability, and the ability to explain concepts clearly. Having a bit of tech-savvy is also a plus these days, since many sessions happen online.
How to get experience before your first paid students
Worried you do not have much teaching experience? Do not stress. You can start by offering to help friends, siblings or classmates and use that practice to build your confidence. Another great tip is to prepare simple lesson plans and resources in advance. For example, you could create simple lesson assets that you can reuse, which will also help with your pre-lesson preparation for different students such as:
- if you want to tutor essay writing, have a template one-page essay planner ready that breaks down the steps (prompt → plan → draft → edit),
- a paragraph checklist (topic sentence, evidence, analysis, link),
- a short reading-comprehension worksheet for primary students, or
- a sample feedback rubric (so students know what "good" looks like).
The more resources you prepare, the easier lessons will feel when you have paying students. Some tutors also complete short online tutoring or teaching courses to boost their credibility (i.e. a micro-course in tutoring, literacy instruction basics, or EAL support. These do not take years and can often be completed in a weekend or a matter of weeks to sharpen your approach.
Online vs in-person tutoring (pros, cons, and tools)
Both online and in-person tutoring come with perks.
Online tutoring is flexible, cost-effective, and allows you to connect with students beyond your local area. Imagine sitting in your living room in Melbourne while teaching a student in Perth or even overseas. All you need is a laptop, a reliable internet connection, and basic tools like Zoom or Google Meet.
Tutors on Learnmate get free access to Lessonspace for online lessons - an all-in-one virtual classroom with an infinite collaborative whiteboard, subject-specific tools (including an equation/graph editor with LaTeX), Document and Code tabs, PDF/Office doc import, auto-saved, persistent spaces, video and screen share, chat, and optional session recording — so you don’t have to juggle multiple apps.
In-person tutoring, on the other hand, gives you that warm face-to-face connection. You can read your student’s body language, set up activities using books or worksheets, and often create a stronger bond. Rates for in-person tutoring can sometimes be higher, especially in metropolitan areas where demand is strong. Some tutors do both, which is a great way to reach more students and diversify your income.
What is it like to teach English?
Every student is different, which keeps tutoring exciting. One day you might be helping a Year 5 student understand how to structure a paragraph, the next day you could be supporting a Year 12 student in analysing themes in a novel, and later you might guide an international student through conversational English. The job is never boring.
There are challenges, of course. Some students may be shy, unmotivated, or anxious. Part of your role is to encourage them, make lessons fun, and break topics into manageable steps.
The reward comes when you see progress, like a student who once hated essays now writing with confidence. Many tutors describe that light bulb moment as the best part of the job.
How much can English tutors earn? (Rates & factors)
Let us talk numbers because money matters. In Australia, a practical starting range is $30–$80 per hour, depending on experience, year level, and whether you’re online or in person.
Experienced tutors, qualified teachers, and exam preparation specialists (e.g., VCE, HSC or IB English) commonly charge $60–$100+ per hour. Tutoring can be a flexible side income with a few students per week or a full-time roster with 15+ students. You control how far you take it.
Curious about broader pricing? See Learnmate's guide: How much does private tutoring cost in Australia?
How to find English tutoring jobs (and why you should join Learnmate)
Learnmate connects students with tutors across Australia and makes starting out or expanding your English tutoring business simple.
Create a standout tutor profile
The easiest way to get started is to join a tutoring platform like Learnmate. You sign up, fill in your details, add your qualifications, and upload your Working with Children Check. Your profile is like your shop window.
It should clearly showcase who you are, including through the use of a friendly, professional photo, a clear bio including why you love tutoring English and what you can offer, and list subjects/year levels you cover (e.g., primary literacy, VCE English, HSC English, EAL). Then you can add quick proof points: strong Year 12 English results, teaching experience, or relevant degrees/certifications.
Browse and respond to job posts
Once your profile is active, you can either wait for students to contact you or browse job boards, like Facebook groups or the jobs board on Learnmate. This is where families and students post exactly what they are looking for. You can respond directly and offer your services.
Through Learnmate, you can reach out to prospective students to offer your services, then make full use of Learnmate to simplify your arrangements. Payments are handled through the platform, which makes life easier. Students also leave reviews, which help you build credibility. The more positive reviews you receive, the more visible you become.
Build reviews and rise through visibility tiers
Tutors on Learnmate progress through Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Pro tiers. Consistent lessons and positive reviews help you move up. Higher tiers can improve your visibility and reduce platform fees, helping you reach more of the right students.
A day in the life of a tutor
To give you an idea, here is what a typical day could look like.
- 9:00 a.m. — Online session with a Year 9 focusing on persuasive writing.
- 11:00 a.m. — In-person lesson at the local library with a Year 6 practising comprehension.
- 1:00 p.m. — Admin and prep: respond to new enquiries, plan next lessons (including updating your resources and templates).
- 3:30 p.m. — Online session with a Year 12 refining essay structure for an upcoming exam.
By evening, you have earned a few hundred dollars, helped several students grow in confidence, and still had time to enjoy your own life.
Quick recap of the steps
- Make sure you have a Working with Children Check and a police clearance
- Brush up on English skills or complete a short tutoring course if needed
- Decide whether you want to tutor online, in person, or both
- Set your hourly rate and adjust as your reputation grows
- Create a strong profile on Learnmate, showcasing your skills and personality
- Apply for jobs or respond to student requests on the jobs board
- Deliver lessons, build positive reviews, and rise through Learnmate’s tiers
- Keep refining your teaching style and adding resources
FAQs: Becoming an English tutor in Australia
No. A teaching degree helps but isn’t required. Strong English skills, clear explanations, and a WWCC for under-18s are key. Short tutoring or TESOL courses can add credibility.
A Working with Children Check (WWCC) and a National Police Check are standard. Keep your WWCC number handy to verify your profile on Learnmate.
Many new tutors start at $30–$60 per hour, adjusting for year level, in person vs online, and experience to start building their student book. You can always increase your rates as you collect reviews, results and receive referrals.
Both work. Online wins for flexibility and reach (and makes for the most effective use of your time if you wish to maximally earn and use your time); in person can command higher rates in metro areas and helps build rapport. Most tutors offer both.
Create a strong Learnmate profile, prepare sample lessons, and apply to postings on the jobs board or via communities such as tutoring pages on social networks. After each lesson, request a review to build momentum.
If you’re operating as a sole trader, you’ll generally need an ABN. GST registration is required once your annual GST turnover reaches $75,000 (or you can opt in earlier). This is general information only — seek personal tax advice.
Conclusion
Becoming an English tutor in Australia is a pathway filled with creativity, flexibility, and the chance to make a genuine difference in people’s lives.
With minimal barriers to entry, all you need are the right checks, a bit of preparation, and a willingness to engage with students. Platforms like Learnmate make the process smooth by handling marketing, payments, and job postings, so you can focus on what matters most: teaching.
Whether you want a casual side job, a fulfilling part-time role, or a full-scale tutoring career, English tutoring can deliver satisfaction, connection, and financial reward. All it takes is a passion for language and the courage to start.
So why wait? Your first student might be just around the corner. Apply to tutor on Learnmate and connect with students who need your help.
