The Value and Cost of Music Lessons: An Investment that Lasts a Lifetime.

The value of learning an instrument is difficult to measure, because the benefits reach far beyond the lesson itself. Music lessons give students more than just the ability to play an instrument. Students taking music lessons also gain a wealth of personal and interpersonal skills, that set them up for success (see my other blog here for more: https://www.encoremusictuition.com.au/blog-faqs/soft-skills-learned-in-private-music-lessons).

That said, music lessons are an investment. Like all goods and services, prices steadily rise with inflation. At times it can seem like some businesses are taking advantage of clients, who can only pay what the market demands. I wanted to write this blog not to defend industry pricing, but to be transparent, and to educate the families who spend their hard-earned money each week on their child’s music education.

In this blog, we’ll cover:

• What costs are involved in running a small business?

• Work done outside of the lesson time

• NSW Industry Standards

• My final thoughts and philosophy on pricing

What Costs Are Involved in Running a Small Business?

Running a private music tuition studio involves far more than teaching time. Here are some of the major expenses:

Taxes and Compliance

• Goods and Services Tax (GST) — Businesses pay GST when their gross income (before expenses) exceeds $75k. The Australian Government takes a 10% cut on all goods and services.

• Personal Income Tax — Sole traders and small business owners also pay personal income tax on top of GST. Accountants recommend setting aside around 30% of gross profit for all taxes combined.

• Work Health & Safety — Compliance costs such as electrical safety testing, fire extinguisher servicing, and workplace safety checks.

• Employee Wages, Superannuation and Leave – When you’re both the employer and the employee, your rates should account for your own wages, leave entitlements, and retirement contributions, as well as those of any staff you employ.

Operational Costs

• Space hire and general utilities

• Uniforms and professional presentation

• Instrument maintenance and tuning

• Fuel and travel expenses

Professional Development

• Ongoing training courses, workshops, and tertiary education fees

• Membership fees for professional associations

Resources and Technology

• Purchasing sheet music, learning resources, and student prizes

• Subscription costs for websites, booking and invoicing systems, social media tools, and graphic design platforms

Work Done Outside of Lesson Time

A 30-minute or 1-hour lesson might seem like the only time your child benefits from tuition, but behind the scenes, music tutors spend hours each week preparing to make those minutes count.

Tasks outside of lesson time include:

• Researching and sourcing new learning materials

• Finding and printing sheet music tailored to each student

• Preparing lesson plans

• Purchasing and organising rewards or prizes for student motivation

• Communicating with parents about progress or upcoming events

This behind-the-scenes work ensures lessons are personalised, engaging, and productive.

NSW Industry Standards

The Music Teachers' Association of NSW sets minimum rates for accredited music teachers in private studios. Rates vary depending on factors like employment status, years of experience, and whether lessons are delivered in-studio or in-home.

For 2025, the MTA of NSW recommends:

• Private lessons: $110 per hour ($121 with GST)

• Group lessons (3–6 students): $150 per hour ($165 with GST)

You can view the full recommendations here: MTA NSW Teaching Fees

My Final Thoughts and Philosophy on Pricing

I generally set my fees under the industry minimum, mainly because I work independently and have low overheads, so I’m able to pass those savings on. I understand that students often participate in several extracurricular activities, so I aim to keep costs reasonable for families on a tight budget. I’m also a NSW Creative Kids Provider, meaning families receiving Family Tax Benefits can access two $50 vouchers per year to put towards lessons.

I’m not the cheapest piano teacher in the industry, nor the most expensive. My goal is to balance my experience and qualifications with fair, sustainable pricing.

While I have been tutoring for eight years (three of those full-time), I continue to learn and refine my teaching methods every day. I am also planning to complete further training through AMEB and eventually receive my CmusA, which may influence my pricing in the future.

Every family who invests in music lessons is making a choice to support the arts, small business, and their child’s future. I’m grateful to be part of that journey, and I’m committed to keeping lessons high in quality and fair in cost so that music remains accessible for all.