The cost of tutoring in Australia
Families in Australia will typically pay somewhere in the range of $55–$130 per hour for 1:1 tutoring. Online is usually on the lower end ($55–$95/hr), while in-person is typically higher (around $75–$130/hr due to travel requirements).
As parents ourselves, we know you want the best for your child — and the right tutor can make a real difference. The challenge? Prices vary widely, and it's easy to think overpaying guarantees quality or results but in reality, you may not know what you're signing up for. This guide outlines the current rates in Australia, a reflection on what the typical rates were for tutors on Learnmate in 2025, and how to compare options and save while still getting great results in 2026.
Private tutoring cost in Australia in 2026
Tutoring prices are largely influenced by the type of business you engage, the subject and level of support needed, and whether lessons are online or in-person. Use the table below to benchmark what's reasonable in 2026.
| Situation | Typical Range (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Online, 1:1 (Years 3–10, non-specialist) | $55–$95 | Lower overheads because of no travel requirements; wide tutor supply can accommodate |
In-person, 1:1 (Years 3–10) | $75–$130 | Less tutors available near you than online; add $12–$25 for travel in metro areas |
Qualified teacher (any mode) | $85–$160 | Curriculum alignment; trained instruction; assessment expertise |
Exam specialist (VCE/HSC/IB/Selective/UCAT/GAMSAT) | $95–$160+ | Qualified tutor or graduate who achieved perfect or near perfect results; high-stakes preparation and expectation, scarce expertise |
Small group (2–4 students) | $35–$75 per student | Depends on size, structure, subject |
Why it varies: tutor qualifications, delivery method, subject difficulty, group size, travel time, and location (metro vs regional) all influence price.
Private tutoring average rates on Learnmate in 2026
The overall cost of private tutoring in Australia often shapes decisions, but that shouldn't discourage you or your family from excelling. At Learnmate, we connect students with Primary to Year 12 tutoring and even adult learning conveniently and at transparent rates you can afford. Our platform displays rates upfront so there's no time-consuming back and forth or need to "submit an enquiry".
Based on Learnmate bookings in 2025, the median hourly rates for tutoring different ages were:
- All lessons: $62/hr
- Primary: $39/hr
- Year 7-10: $57/hr
- Year 11-12: $66/hr
The below table outlines the average hourly rates on a subject basis in 2025.
2025 Learnmate marketplace averages
Subject | Average Hourly Rate (AUD) |
|---|---|
All Subjects (overall) | $64/hr |
English | $58.50/hr |
Maths | $62.50/hr |
Science (all ages) | $70.50/hr |
Science (up to Year 10) | $44.50/hr |
What affects tutoring prices (and why rates vary)?
There are various factors that will impact the cost of tutoring and why rates may vary between tutors and different platforms. Understanding these factors helps families make informed choices based on goals and budget plans. The key is looking for the right balance that aligns with your family's educational aspirations and financial considerations.
By tutor type (experience & qualifications)
- Teachers: Teacher-trained educators typically charge higher rates around $85-$160/hr. This reflects their professional training and experience, deep curriculum understanding and proven results and achievements.
- Tutors: Tutors who are high achievers (e.g. 97+ ATAR and/or near perfect subject scores) that have experience tutoring are usually around $65-$95/hr. Converting personal high achievement into experience coaching others to achieve similarly is what you should look out for when picking your tutor, particularly as their rate edges to the higher end.
Rates trend higher for secondary-trained vs primary-trained, and for tutors with demonstrated outcomes (top band results, scholarships, selective entry success).
The "qualification premium"
The below table is a rough guide on what teachers and tutors at different ends of the experience and qualification spectrum may charge.
Tutor Type | Typical Hourly Range (AUD) | What you're paying for |
|---|---|---|
Uni student / early-career | $45–$85/hr | Beginning tutoring journey, often able to share personal anecdotes for success, gaining experience in coaching others |
Experienced high achiever (97+ ATAR) | $65–$95/hr | Subject mastery & exam insight, recent syllabus experience, successfully turned personal experience into supporting others to do the same |
Qualified educator (teacher-trained) | $85–$160/hr | Curriculum alignment, pedagogy, assessment literacy, experience helping students of a broad range of abilities and ages |
Specialist practitioner (VCE/HSC/IB/Selective/UCAT/GAMSAT) | $95–$190+/hr | High-stakes strategy, scarce expertise in niche areas, curated resources |
Subject & year level
Specialist senior subjects (e.g., VCE Methods, HSC Chemistry, IB HL) cost more than general subjects as they are specialised, are generally more intensive and require more preparation.
- Core subjects (English, Maths, Science): national middle band $55–$75/hr.
- Senior specialist subjects (Methods, Specialist Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Languages): $75–$130/hr depending on tutor experience.
- Selective, UCAT, GAMSAT, scholarship prep: $95–$160+; a minority of elite specialists charge more.
Online tutoring costs in Australia
Online avoids travel costs and opens families to more choice — there are more tutors available and, equally, more competition for students. Online tutoring in Australia is usually $55–$95 per hour for 1:1, and managed platforms or agencies commonly quote $65–$130 per hour depending on the tutor and subject.
Many online tutoring platforms in Australia assign tutors to you, which means not only do you not get to pick who you think best suits your needs, but you may see a new tutor each week. This should factor into your due diligence about what online tutoring company to go with and, additionally, what you are willing to pay for.
In-person tutoring costs in Australia
Face-to-face sessions typically sit at $75–$130 per hour, with metro areas skewing higher due to demand and travel time. A $12–$25 travel surcharge is common for in-person tutoring in cities; regional areas may have fewer tutors but often lower or no travel add-ons.
Budget tip: If you want the in-person experience but need to manage costs, consider fortnightly in-person plus a short online check-in between sessions.
By business type
Agencies add overhead. Marketplaces like Learnmate let tutors set their own rates, and take a relatively small margin compared to other businesses, as it doesn't load high overheads onto tutor pricing, so you only pay for the expertise you need.
Option | Typical 1:1 range | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
Marketplace (e.g., Learnmate) | $35–$85+ | You choose your tutor; big range from top ATAR grads to qualified teachers. Learnmate's 2025 average rate is ~$64/hr. |
Managed platforms / agencies | $65–$130 | More "done-for-you" matching; managed service; higher head office overheads; educators typically received less in pocket. |
Specialist or teacher-trained tutors | $95–$160+ | Premium for 99+ ATAR, niche subjects, or experienced classroom teachers. The Australian Tutoring Association notes teacher-trained tutors are often in the range of $60–$190/hr. Expect to pay close to or over $110/hr for the best tutors. |
Group sessions (per student) | $35–$75 | More affordable, less personalised. Group sessions usually offer lower per-student rates than 1:1 but the trade off is less personalised attention. |
With ongoing cost-of-living concerns, many families are choosing online lessons and prepaid packages to keep their tutoring spend predictable in 2026.
Learnmate's model makes quality tutoring more affordable
Choose tutors that fit your budget and goals
We connect you with tutors and remove the middleman. As a transparent marketplace, you get direct contact with educators instead of an agency. This directness results in a tutoring cost up to 50% cheaper than that of agency businesses.
When tutors receive a fair share of what families pay, everyone benefits. This payment model encourages everyone, from a Chemistry tutor to an English tutor, to maintain high standards and foster sustained relationships with students. Families can expect consistent lesson quality, as tutors are motivated and fairly compensated.
Tutors range from qualified teachers to high-achieving graduates
We provide a wide selection of tutors for different needs and financial considerations. These tutors adapt lessons to your subject, year level or age and learning style, all ensuring every dollar spent goes towards meaningful progress.
Transparent hourly rates and tutor profiles
Here, everyone shares their tutoring hourly rate upfront, based on their experience, qualifications, education and teaching levels. With this, no hidden fees will take you by surprise later on.
Affordable tutoring for every household budget
There's a wide range of price points, so families can find a tutor who fits both their goals and financial comfort. Plus, since there are no contracts or lock-in periods, you determine the duration and frequency of lessons.
FAQs: Tutoring costs in Australia (2026)
The average cost of a tutor on Learnmate across all year levels and subjects was $64/hr in 2025, with a median cost of $62/hr. In 2026, tutor rates start at just $30/hr on Learnmate, whereas one-to-one tutoring on competitor websites typically start at $65/hr with an average around $80/hr (based on a sample of businesses analysed by Learnmate).
Most families are likely to pay somewhere between $70-130/hr in 2026, compared to the most common range of hourly rates being between $35–$85/hr on Learnmate in 2025.
Most 1:1 sessions fall between $55–$130/hr, with online on the lower end and in-person higher due to travel. Learnmate's average rate of $64/hr in 2025 sits on the lower end of this range.
Yes. Qualified tutors on Learnmate typically charge between $70–$130/hr, which is approximately a $20-30/hr premium to non-qualified teacher tutors. The Australian Tutoring Association cites $60–$190/hr as the normal range for a qualified teacher depending on context.
Usually, yes - no travel time/cost and broader supply means online sits below in-person for many subjects. You can expect to pay between $10-25/hr less for an online tutor than an in-person one, which presents as the more affordable choice for most families.
Commonly $95–$160+ depending on tutor scarcity, competitiveness of the subjects and specialisation required.
Final Thoughts
Tutoring prices in Australia vary by model (agency vs marketplace), subject difficulty, tutor experience, and delivery mode. As a rule of thumb, online lessons tend to be more affordable and easier to schedule, while premium rates cluster around specialist senior subjects and highly experienced educators. Finding your tutor through an agency or business other than Learnmate usually has its trade-offs; typically, the cost will be higher or your tutor will be paid less.
In 2026, families continue to navigate cost-of-living pressures. That's why parents are prioritising value, predictability, and transparent pricing when choosing tutoring support.
Against that backdrop, a transparent marketplace model makes practical sense: you can compare profiles and prices in one place, start online to keep costs down, use prepaid packages to lower your effective hourly rate, and—if helpful—look for tutors offering intro or below market rate pricing while they build their books.
