How much can a family day care educator earn?

Family day care educators run their own business, so income depends on how many children you care for, your hours and your fees. Move the numbers below to see a realistic estimate of what you could earn from home.

Your service

The legal limit is 7, with no more than 4 under school age at once.
The 2026–27 subsidy cap is $14.08/hr.
Allow for your own holidays.
Most services aren't 100% full every hour of every day.

Your costs

An example figure. Ask us for our current levy.
Food, resources, insurance, extra power and water.

How family day care educators earn money

As a family day care educator you're self-employed. You set your own hourly fee and your hours, and families pay you for the care they book. When a family is eligible for the Child Care Subsidy, part of the fee is covered by the government and paid through the service, and the family pays the gap.

Your income is shaped by four things:

  1. How many children you care for. Up to seven at a time, with no more than four under school age. Many educators fill the extra places with school-aged children before and after school.
  2. Your hours. Educators who open longer days, early starts or Saturdays often fill places more easily, because those hours are hard for families to find.
  3. Your fee. Rates near the subsidy cap ($14.08 an hour in 2026–27) keep the gap affordable for families.
  4. Your costs. The service levy, food, resources, insurance and household running costs. Many of these may be tax-deductible; check with an accountant.

For real-world examples, Family Day Care Australia publishes income examples from educators around the country.

Questions about educator income

Are family day care educators employees?
No. Family day care educators are usually self-employed and run their own small business under an approved service. You set your fees and hours, and you're responsible for your own tax and superannuation.
Do I need an ABN?
Yes. As a self-employed educator you'll need an Australian Business Number. It's free to apply for through the Australian Business Register, and we can explain the setup steps.
What is a service levy?
The levy is the fee an educator pays the approved service for registration, compliance, administration, home visits, training and support. It's usually charged per child per hour of care. We explain ours in full before you commit.
Can I earn more by working Saturdays?
Often, yes. Weekend and early or late care is harder for families to find, so those places can fill faster. You choose whether to offer them.
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