How to make money as a childminder in Australia - practical steps

Working as a childminder in Australia can be done alongside paid work or as a main source of income. This guide explains where paying customers come from, how to set and talk about money, what your first customers often look like, which checks and registrations to consider, common early problems, and how a Websta profile can help you be found and take bookings.

Updated October 21, 2026

Where paying customers come from

Most paying families find a childminder through local connections rather than a single national source. Neighbours and local parents meet-ups are common first leads. Parents at your own workplace or the workplaces of friends and family can refer clients. Schools, preschools and sporting clubs are places where parents share recommendations. Online search and classified or marketplace platforms are increasingly common for discovery, and social media community groups for suburbs or parenting are used for local referrals.

Expect a mix of immediate local contacts and parents who discover you online. Word of mouth is often the strongest source, but having an online listing makes it easier for parents who search by service and suburb to find you and to check your services and prices before contacting you.

  • Neighbours and local parents groups
  • Parents from your workplace or friends and family
  • Schools, preschools and activity groups
  • Online search, local classifieds and parenting groups

How to set a first price and talk about money

Set a first price by combining what local parents are paying with your own cost calculations. Consider your time, travel, supplies, insurance, and the tax and record-keeping time involved. Look at local listings and ask a few people in your area what they pay for comparable care. Decide whether you will charge by the hour, by a session, or by a regular weekly arrangement.

When you talk about money with a family, be clear and upfront. Explain what your price includes, your cancellation policy, when and how you expect to be paid, and whether extra costs can arise for outings or extra children. Put terms in writing before the first paid session so both sides have the same expectation.

  • Research local listings to see typical headline rates
  • Include your costs and tax time in pricing
  • Decide hourly vs session vs regular booking structure
  • Write a simple payment and cancellation policy

What the first ten customers usually look like

Your first customers are often people who already know you or who come via a short chain of trust. Typical early clients include neighbours, friends or family friends, colleagues at work, and parents met at school gates or activities. You may also get enquiries from parents who found you through an online marketplace or listing and want a short trial booking.

Early customers are useful for refining your routine, testing pricing and clarifying communication. Treat the first bookings as both care work and an opportunity to collect informal feedback and simple written references that you can show to other prospective parents.

  • Neighbours and local parents
  • Work colleagues or friends of friends
  • Parents from school or activities
  • Online marketplace leads seeking short trials

What to sort out when taking money as an independent worker

There are administrative and safety checks to consider when you start taking money directly. For tax, business and reporting requirements, check the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) - ask whether you should register for an Australian Business Number (ABN), how to report income, and whether you need to register for goods and services tax (GST) in your situation. For record keeping and issuing receipts, the ATO can explain what records to keep and for how long.

For safety and legal permissions, check with your state or territory government about whether you need a working with children check, family day care approval, or other clearances. Your local council can advise about home-based business rules, zoning and any approvals required to care for children at your home. For insurance, speak to an insurance broker about public liability and other cover relevant to childminding.

  • Ask the ATO about ABN registration, reporting and GST
  • Check your state or territory government for working with children checks and childcare rules
  • Ask your local council about home-based care and zoning
  • Talk to an insurance broker about appropriate liability cover

What tends to go wrong in the first months

The common problems new childminders face are administrative and expectation gaps rather than care skills. People often underprice their time or forget to account for unpaid admin, travel and supplies. Misunderstandings about cancellation, late pick-ups and extra charges create friction if not documented. Some new providers find they are accepting bookings that create unsafe ratios or exceed local rules.

Other frequent issues are delayed payments, unclear emergency plans, and burnout from taking on too many ad-hoc bookings without a regular routine. Regularly review bookings, enforce your written terms, and keep clear invoicing and receipts to reduce payment disputes.

  • Underpricing and not accounting for all costs
  • No written cancellation or late payment terms
  • Taking bookings that exceed safety or regulatory limits
  • Poor record keeping leading to payment delays or disputes

How a Websta profile fits into childminding work

A Websta profile is a page you can send to parents and it can also be found through the Websta marketplace. The profile looks like a small website and can show your services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. That gives parents a single place to check your offering, see available times and request a booking.

Card payments from customers on the platform are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe. You set the prices on your profile. Use the page to link to your written terms, your safety checks, and any references or notes for parents so enquiries start from a clear place.

  • Profile page with services, prices, photos and online booking
  • Found via marketplace search by service and place
  • Contact form for enquiries and a single page to send to parents
  • Card payments paid out to your own bank account through Stripe

Frequently asked questions

How do I start finding parents as a childminder in Australia?
Start locally: tell neighbours, colleagues and parents at local schools or activities. Use local online groups and a marketplace listing so parents searching by service and suburb can find you. Give new clients a clear page with your services, prices and booking terms.
Do I need to register with the ATO before I take money?
Check with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Ask whether you should register for an Australian Business Number (ABN), how to report the income you receive, and whether GST registration applies to your situation.
What checks do I need for working with children?
Requirements vary by state and territory. Contact the relevant state or territory government to ask about working with children checks, criminal history checks and any family day care approvals you might need.
Can I accept card payments through Websta?
Yes. Card payments on Websta are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe. You set your own prices on your profile.
How should I handle cancellations and late payments?
Put your terms in writing before the first paid session. State your cancellation window, what happens for late pick-ups and when payment is due. Clear written terms reduce misunderstandings and make it easier to enforce expectations if problems arise.

About the numbers

Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.

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