Should you wait until the new year to start fresh with new content, or should your child start tutoring over the school holidays? Are you wasting money by starting now, or wasting time by starting later? While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to when to start tutoring, let’s walk through some pros and cons of starting sooner rather than later. We'll also break it down by year level — because the right time to start tutoring for a primary school student is very different to a Year 12 student preparing for the ATAR.
Pros of Starting Tutoring Right Away
Close Learning Gaps Faster
If your child is already falling behind in certain subjects, waiting longer may allow that gap to widen. Starting tutoring early can help them better understand and participate in their regular lessons, increasing their overall learning time. This proactive approach allows them to catch on to more of the knowledge and skills presented by their teachers, boosting their learning over time.
This is especially true for primary school students, where Evidence for Learning found that younger learners gain the most from personalised support (+6 months progress over 10 weeks vs +4 months for secondary students).
Gain a Competitive Edge in Year 11-12
If your child wants a tutor to help them excel in their final years of schooling or prepare for academic competition, one-to-one learning time could give them the edge they need. More time spent developing skills and becoming familiar with new concepts can translate into stronger exam results and classroom performance.
Build Confidence for the New School Year
Starting with a tutor during the holiday break can help your child feel more confident when the new school year begins. Noticing an improvement in their skills as a result of holiday tutoring sessions can build self-esteem and prepare them for upcoming academic challenges. Having a growth mindset with a focus on change can positively impact performance, and practicing in areas they feel “weaker” in may improve how they view their academic abilities.
Strengthen Tutor-Student Relationship
The earlier your child starts with a tutor, the stronger the tutor-student relationship can become. By the new school year, your child can feel comfortable sharing how they feel about their tasks, and the tutor will have insights into explaining things in a way your child understands. This familiarity helps the tutor tailor lessons and create custom resources that inspire and challenge your child from day one.
Find the Right Tutor with Trial Sessions
Although many families find the right tutor right away, sometimes a different tutor can be a better fit. If your child has specific needs that aren’t being met, starting early allows time for trial and error. You can do a few sample sessions with various tutors until you find one that best connects with your child.
Cons of Starting Tutoring Immediately
Financial Considerations
Tutoring sessions come at a cost, and the more sessions your child has, the more expensive it will be. If you’re under financial pressure, it may make sense to wait until the school year begins. Starting in week two or three of the school year can help prioritise tutoring sessions when your child might need them most and better knowing what support they exactly need. If you’d like to start immediately but are concerned about costs, check out scholarship or funding options, or inquire about tutoring programs offered through your child’s school. You can also reach out to the team at Learnmate and ask them for assistance as to how best to make your budget work.
Students Need Time to Recharge
Sometimes, more work doesn’t equal better results. Children and teenagers need breaks from structured learning, especially during holidays. Taking time off can reduce stress, promote physical activity, and lessen burnout. If your child has been working hard all year, a few weeks away from academics may be more beneficial for their physical, mental, and emotional well-being than holiday tutoring.
This is particularly true for younger children. For Year 11–12 students, a well-structured holiday tutoring program focused on getting ahead of next term's content can actually reduce stress once the school year begins — it's a trade-off worth discussing with your child.
When to start tutoring by year level
Primary school (Prep - Year 6): the earlier, the bigger the impact
Research from Evidence for Learning found that one-to-one tuition delivers an average of five additional months of academic progress — but the impact is even greater for primary school students, who gain six additional monthscompared to four months for secondary students. That's 50% more benefit from starting early.
At this age, tutoring is less about exam preparation and more about building strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, developing a positive attitude towards learning, and catching gaps before they compound. A child who falls behind in Year 3 reading doesn't just have a Year 3 problem — they carry that gap into every subject that relies on reading comprehension.
When to start: As soon as you notice your child is struggling, losing confidence, or consistently bringing home work they can't complete independently. Don't wait for a teacher to flag it — early intervention is the most effective intervention.
What to expect: Short, frequent sessions work best for younger learners. Evidence for Learning recommends roughly 30-minute sessions, 3–5 times per week for optimal results. On Learnmate, many primary school tutors offer shorter sessions tailored to younger attention spans.
Year 7-10: building skills and filling gaps before they compound
The transition to secondary school is one of the biggest academic adjustments a student makes. New subjects, new teachers, a faster pace, and less hand-holding can leave students struggling quietly — especially in maths and science, where each year builds directly on the last.
For Year 7–10 students, tutoring is most valuable when it's used to reinforce classroom learning and prevent small misunderstandings from snowballing. A student who doesn't fully grasp algebra in Year 8 will hit a wall in Year 10 Methods. Starting tutoring when confusion first appears — not when grades have already dropped — is the most cost-effective and least stressful approach.
When to start: At the first sign of confusion, not the first bad report card. If your child is regularly asking for homework help you can't provide, or avoiding a subject they used to enjoy, that's the signal.
What to expect: Weekly 1-hour sessions are typical for this age group. Focus on the subjects that are prerequisites for their Year 11–12 pathway — usually maths, English and science.
Year 11-12: exam preparation and ATAR performance
This is where most families start tutoring — and for good reason. The stakes are highest, the content is most demanding, and the ATAR creates real competitive pressure. Learnmate's research shows that 70% of students who achieve ATARs of 99+ engage one or more tutors.
But timing matters here more than at any other level. Starting tutoring in Year 12 Term 3 is essentially exam cramming. Starting at the beginning of Year 11 gives the tutor time to build foundational understanding, develop exam technique, and work through the curriculum alongside school — which is where the real gains happen.
When to start: Ideally at the start of Year 11. If that ship has sailed, the start of Year 12 is the next best time — and even mid-year is worthwhile if it's focused on exam preparation and targeted weak spots.
What to expect: Longer sessions (1–1.5 hours), 1–2 times per week, focused on the specific subjects contributing to the ATAR. Many students on Learnmate use tutors for 2–3 subjects. Browse Year 11 tutors or Year 12 tutors to see what's available.
No 'One-Size-Fits-All' Approach to Tutoring
People begin tutoring at all times throughout the year, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Consider the unique benefits and limitations for your family’s situation and decide what you need to prioritise. Remember, nothing is permanent! You can always pause tutoring during the year if you decide to start early or catch up with extra sessions if you begin later. On a platform like Learnmate, there are no lock-in contracts and it is purely up to you how many lessons you want and when to start and stop.
Ultimately, regardless of when you begin, tutoring provides essential support that can help your child excel academically and reach their full potential. That’s what truly matters.
FAQs
Both options have benefits. Starting tutoring over the holidays can help your child build confidence and begin the school year strong. Starting during the school year, however, allows tutors to address current classroom challenges directly, providing targeted support when it’s needed most.
Tutoring can reinforce your child’s understanding of topics, boost academic confidence, and introduce them to new, advanced concepts. Even if they’re doing well, tutoring can help your child excel further by providing focused one-on-one support.
It’s not uncommon for some students to work better with certain tutors. Starting tutoring early allows time to trial different tutors if necessary, so you can find someone who matches well with your child’s learning style and personality.
There's no minimum age. Research shows that younger students benefit the most from one-to-one tuition, so if your primary school child is struggling with reading or maths, starting early is the most effective approach. On Learnmate, you can find primary school tutors experienced in working with younger learners.
No — but the focus shifts. A tutor starting with a Year 12 student mid-year will typically concentrate on exam technique, targeted revision of weak topics, and practice papers rather than teaching content from scratch. The earlier in Year 12 you start, the more time there is to make a meaningful difference.
Final thoughts
Learnmate's research shows that 70% of students who achieve ATARs of 99+ engage one or more tutors. Whether your child is in primary school or preparing for the ATAR, a Learnmate tutor can provide personalised support at the right level. Browse tutors by year level, subject and price — or post a job and let tutors come to you.
This blog was written by Tahnee K, a highly sought after Primary School and VCE tutor for English, Literature, French and Media on Learnmate. Tahnee has over 15+ years experience teaching secondary English as well as special education primary.
You can view Tahnee's profile, including her rave reviews and, subject to her availability, request Tahnee as your tutor here.
