How much does a tutor cost in Australia?
In 2026, private one-on-one tutoring in Australia typically costs between $40 and $120 per hour. University-student tutors sit at the lower end ($40–$60), experienced or VCE-specialist tutors at the upper end ($80–$120). Tutoring-centre group sessions run roughly $40–$60 per hour per student, and online tutoring is usually a little cheaper than in-person for the same tutor. Senior secondary (VCE/HSC) and specialist subjects cost more than primary or junior-secondary.
Typical tutoring price ranges in Australia
Tutoring is unregulated, so prices vary widely by tutor experience, subject, year level, location and format. To estimate a price for your situation, use our tutoring cost calculator. As a 2026 guide for one-on-one tutoring:
- University-student / early-career tutor: about $40–$60 per hour. Often great for primary and junior-secondary support.
- Experienced / qualified tutor: about $60–$90 per hour.
- VCE / HSC subject specialist: about $80–$120 per hour, higher for in-demand subjects like Specialist Maths, Chemistry and Physics.
- Tutoring-centre group classes: about $40–$60 per hour per student, but in a small group rather than one-on-one.
- Online one-on-one: usually $10–$20 per hour less than in-person with the same tutor (no travel time).
What drives the cost
The biggest factors moving a tutor's rate up or down:
- Year level and subject. Senior, scored subjects (VCE Units 3 & 4) cost more than primary or junior secondary, because the tutor needs current study-design expertise and exam knowledge.
- Tutor expertise. A tutor who scored a 45+ in the exact subject, or has years of results, commands more than a generalist — and usually needs fewer sessions to move the needle.
- One-on-one vs group. Private tutoring costs more per hour than a centre's group class, but every minute is spent on your child specifically.
- In-person vs online. In-home tutoring carries travel time; online removes it, which is why the same tutor is often cheaper online.
- Lock-in vs casual. Some providers require term contracts, enrolment fees or material fees. Pay-as-you-go with no lock-in is usually better value unless you're certain of the commitment.
Cheapest isn't the same as best value
The real cost of tutoring isn't the hourly rate — it's the rate divided by the progress. A $50/hr tutor who needs twenty sessions to fix a gap is more expensive than an $90/hr specialist who fixes it in six. When you compare quotes, ask: does the tutor specialise in this exact subject and year level? Is the session built around a diagnosis of where marks are being lost, or a generic worksheet? Do you get progress you can actually see? Are there hidden enrolment or material fees on top of the hourly rate?
Where EquateIt sits
EquateIt is one-on-one, VCE Maths and Science specialist tutoring in Melbourne and online across Victoria. Our hourly rates by year level (GST inclusive):
| Level | Online | In-person |
|---|---|---|
| VCE (Years 11–12) | $60/hr | $70/hr |
| Years 7–10 | $50/hr | $60/hr |
| Primary (Years 1–6) | $40/hr | $50/hr |
There are no lock-in contracts and no enrolment fees, and the first assessment is free — a no-obligation diagnostic so you can see the fit before committing. Full details are on our pricing page, and you can compare formats via private (in-home) and online tutoring.