Free tool
Educator-to-Child Ratio Calculator (Australia)
Work out the minimum number of educators your centre-based service needs right now. This free calculator applies the educator to child ratios set under the National Quality Framework for long day care, preschool and kindergarten, and outside school hours care across all Australian states and territories. Enter the children present in each age group, choose your state or territory, and see the minimum educators required and how many you are short.
Minimum educators required
0
0 children present - VIC
| Age group | Children | Ratio | Educators |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-24 months | 0 | 1:4 | 0 |
| 24-36 months | 0 | 1:4 | 0 |
| 36 months to preschool age | 0 | 1:11 | 0 |
| Over preschool age | 0 | 1:15 | 0 |
Guide only. Educators must be working directly with children to count in ratios, adequate supervision must be maintained at all times, and staffing waivers, Early Childhood Teacher requirements and state rules may apply. Confirm with your regulatory authority. Ratios verified against ACECQA in September 2026.
Ratios by state and territory
| State / territory | Birth to 24 months | 24 to under 36 months | 36 months to preschool age | Over preschool age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | 1:4 | 1:5 | 1:11 | 1:11 |
| NSW | 1:4 | 1:5 | 1:10 | 1:15 |
| NT | 1:4 | 1:5 | 1:11 | 1:15 |
| QLD | 1:4 | 1:5 | 1:11 | 1:15 |
| SA | 1:4 | 1:5 | 1:11 | 1:15 |
| TAS | 1:4 | 1:5 | 1:10 | 1:15 |
| VIC | 1:4 | 1:4 | 1:11 | 1:15 |
| WA | 1:4 | 1:5 | 1:10 | 1:10, then 1:13 after 12 children |
Tasmania: 2:25 applies for children attending a preschool program. Western Australia: 1:10 applies while kindergarten children are present. See Regulation 369 (WA) for the full table.
How mixed-age ratios work
Ratios are calculated across the whole service rather than room by room. You add up the educator share required by each age group, then round the total up to the next whole educator. An educator can be counted across more than one age group, provided the ratio for each group is still maintained and the children remain adequately supervised. That means a service can move educators between rooms during transitions, rest periods and outdoor play, as long as the overall staffing number never drops below the minimum.
Frequently asked questions
Ratios can slip in seconds
SooperVision alerts your team the moment a zone drifts outside your configured ratio, using your existing CCTV. No face matching and no cloud video.