How to set up a tutoring profile on Websta in Australia

What sections and content your profile should contain

Your Websta profile acts as both a directory entry and a small website. It should tell potential clients what you teach, who you teach, how they can reach you, and how to book or request a quote. Start with a clear profile photo - a professional headshot or casual image where you look approachable, since parents and students want to know who they are working with.

Add a summary of who you are and what you offer. For tutoring, this might describe your subject areas (mathematics, English, languages, test preparation, music lessons), the age groups or year levels you teach, and your teaching approach. If you have qualifications, mention them here - for example, a teaching degree, subject expertise, or relevant certifications.

List your services as individual offerings. A tutor in Sydney might list 'Year 7-10 Mathematics', 'HSC Physics', 'Primary English support' and 'VCE Maths Tuition' as separate services. This helps the Websta search work better and makes it clear what you actually teach. Add a short description to each service.

Include photos that show your teaching environment - a workspace, classroom, or tutoring room if you teach in person. These do not need to be professional photographs; they should be clear and honest about where sessions take place.

Set up online booking or quote request functionality. Websta allows you to choose between fixed availability slots that clients can book directly, or a quote request system where clients describe what they need and you respond with availability and terms. Most tutors use quote requests because tutoring hours vary by student and term.

• Profile photo and summary paragraph
• Qualifications and teaching experience
• Separate service listings by subject and level
• Photos of your teaching space
• Quote request or booking system enabled

Languages for your profile

Publish your profile in English. This reaches the widest audience across Australia. If you teach a specific language - Mandarin, French, German, Spanish, Arabic - and tutoring in that language is your service, list it clearly in your service descriptions.

If you teach English as a second language (ESL) or English language support to migrants or international students, make this explicit on your profile. Students and parents searching for this service will look for it by name.

How people in Australia search for tutors

Parents and students use Websta's marketplace to find tutors by searching for a subject or service name and selecting their suburb, town or wider area. A parent in Melbourne looking for 'Year 9 Maths tutoring' or a student in Brisbane searching 'ATAR English tuition' will see results sorted by location.

Some searches are very specific - 'HSC Chemistry tutoring in Wollongong', 'primary school spelling support in Canberra' - while others are broader. Your location matters: Websta shows results to people searching within a reasonable distance. If you teach online, you can reach students across Australia; if you tutor in person, your local suburbs are your main market.

Clients also use Websta to post tasks - for example, 'I need help with my daughter's maths homework twice a week' - and tutors can make offers on these posts. This works well for tutoring because it lets you show your approach and availability before a formal booking.

Working as an independent tutor in Australia - what to check

Australia has no national requirement to register as a tutor. However, you do need to comply with tax and business law. If you earn income from tutoring, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) expects you to declare it. Check the ATO website for guidance on sole trader registration and income reporting.

Working with children depends on the context. If you tutor children in schools, online, or in your own premises, check the legal requirements in your state or territory. Most states require a Working With Children Check (WWCC) or equivalent if you work in schools or childcare settings. Some tutors working with school-age students independently may also need one - this varies by state. Contact your state's child safety authority or education department to be certain.

If you teach from home, check your lease or property agreement allows business use. If you rent, your landlord may have terms about this. If you own, your home contents insurance may need updating.

Websta processes payments through Stripe, which means you need a valid Australian bank account to receive payments. Stripe requires a tax file number (TFN). Set this up before you start accepting bookings.

Public liability insurance is not strictly required to tutor, but some tutors carry it. Check with an insurance broker whether it suits your setup.

Setting up Websta payments

Once your profile is live and a client books through Websta, the payment goes to Stripe and is deposited into your nominated Australian bank account. You set your own service prices. Stripe charges a transaction fee per payment. Keep records of all income for tax purposes, as the ATO will expect you to declare tutoring income in your annual tax return.

What to write in your first hour

Start with your profile summary. Write three to five sentences explaining what year levels or ages you teach, your main subject areas, and your teaching style. For example: 'I tutor primary and early secondary mathematics, with a focus on building confidence and understanding of key concepts. I work with students one-to-one or in small groups, in my home studio in North Melbourne. I have a Bachelor of Science and five years of tutoring experience.'

List your services. Name each subject or service type clearly - 'Year 3-6 Maths', 'HSC English tutoring', 'Primary reading support' - and add a sentence about what each includes. Avoid vague descriptions.

Write your location. Websta requires you to set a suburb or town. If you teach in multiple areas or online, choose your main base and mention online availability in your summary.

Add at least one photo, even if it is just a clear headshot. This takes minutes and makes a real difference to enquiries.

Set up your contact and booking method - either online booking slots or quote requests. For tutoring, quote requests usually work better because you need to discuss the student's needs and level first.

Do not worry about perfecting everything on day one. You can add more photos and detail later. The goal is to be visible and reachable to local clients who are searching now.