Free tool
Educator-to-Child Ratio Calculator (Australia)
Calculate minimum educator numbers for Australian long day care, preschool, kindergarten and outside school hours care. Compare educator-to-child ratios across all eight states and territories, with a mixed-age breakdown and an optional staffing shortfall check.
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.
Free Supervision Plan Template (PDF)
Turn your ratio numbers into a written supervision plan for each room and zone. Editable template for Australian services, sent straight to your inbox.
Understanding your ratio result
The result uses your selected state or territory and the children present in each age group. The breakdown shows the applicable ratio and each group's educator share; the total is rounded up to a whole educator. Adding the number of educators working directly with children shows any staffing shortfall against that calculated minimum.
NQF ratios apply across the service, not simply per room. Meeting a minimum staffing number does not replace adequate supervision in each area. Check the state-specific notes below and the ACECQA educator-to-child ratio guidance for the context behind the calculation.
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.