Have you ever been told that, as Australian teachers, we’re not allowed to sell teaching resources?
Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s simply not true!
Not only can you sell teaching resources right here in Australia, you can make incredible income from doing so. I’ve done it myself, and have successfully grown The Sydney Teacher into a full-time 6-figure business.
Interested in doing the same but don’t know where to get started?
Now, I’m not a lawyer, so I will not claim to provide legal advice. But if you ARE ready to take this leap on TPT and are feeling a bit overwhelmed, then you’re in the right place!
Table of Contents
1. You ARE allowed to sell resources on TPT… as long as you follow the rules
2. Quick Guide to Starting an Australian Business
3. How do I Set Up My TPT Seller Account?
4. Learn More: Resources JUST for you!
1. You ARE allowed to sell resources on TPT… as long as you follow the rules
When I tell people I sell resources online AND teach at a NSW department school, many are surprised. Why? Because most teachers have been told by a friend of a friend of theirs that it's "not allowed." Without further investigation, many teachers stop before they ever even start!
BUT, when you actually read your code of conduct or employment contract - which I highly suggest you do - you will note that there are rules around secondary employment and intellectual property which allow for selling on TpT.
The main stipulation across all state contracts is that you do not share or sell resources that have been made in the course of your work.
For example, even if I create a resource for my Year 3 students at home and with my own laptop, I am not allow to sell this. Why? Because it was created for the students I'm employed to teach.
But if I moved up to Year 6 and wanted to make use of my experience to create Year 3 math resources to sell, then I could!
In fact while I was still teaching, I was featured in a Sydney Morning Herald article as an entrepreneur who sold teaching resources - and I was not at all worried about getting in trouble because I understood what I was and wasn’t allowed to do!
Once you’ve fully understood the legal parameters around selling your teaching resources, you can feel confident to freely do so without fear of reprimand.
2. Quick Guide to Starting an Australian Business
There is a lot to consider when selling teaching resources on Teachers Pay Teachers from Australia. Even once you’ve navigated your employment contract, setting up your business can be an overwhelming process.
Here are 2 very straightforward quick tips to help get you started!
- Hire a good tax agent
- Register an ABN
Taxes are complicated, so even though there is a cost involved, it is well worth the expense to hire an expert in the field to help you. You will be glad to have your finances well-organised right from the start so that they don’t become another overwhelming challenge later on!
As for ABNs, these are Australian Business Numbers. They are used to identify your business to others. Depending on the nature of your business, you may register as sole trader, company, trust, or partnership.
When it comes time to decide on your business structure, you can go to www.business.gov.au to learn more and choose the right fit for you.
3. How do I Set Up My TPT Seller Account?
While there seems to be an unending list of things to consider when opening up your TPT Seller Account, I promise you that it’s much more straightforward than it seems!
Here’s a handy checklist for you to reference as you get started:
- Choose between Basic and Premium Seller Accounts
- Click “Join Now” on the Homepage of TPT for a Basic or Premium Seller Membership
- OR, if you already have a TPT account as just a buyer, then you can go to the circle icon and select “Become a Seller”
- Pay your membership fee of $29USD for the one time Basic registration or $59USD for the annual Premium Seller Membership
And that’s it for setting up your seller account!
As for the differences between the Basic Seller Membership and the Premium Seller Membership, here are some details highlighted straight from TPT’s FAQ page for sellers!
Aside from the price point, the biggest and most obvious difference is the payout rate. You can visit TPT’s Seller Fees and Payout information page to read about it. I also go into more detail about all of this, and give concrete examples for how it all plays out in your earnings, in my Teacher Seller Course.
4. Learning More: resources just for you
Starting your journey as a teacher resource seller on TPT while teaching in Australia may seem daunting at first, but I promise you that it doesn’t have to be!
With the right guidance and most up-to-date accurate information on hand, you can start sharing your teaching resources with other teachers too… and make a great side-hustle out of it at the same time!
I’ve gathered all the supports that I’ve linked throughout this blog here, and have also added a few other useful resources here for your easy reference.
- www.business.gov.au - the Australian government’s business self-help website
- Basic Seller Membership vs. Premium Seller Membership - general highlighted blurb
- Basic vs Premium Membership Payout - comparison chart
In 2023, I also wrote an ebook called “Selling in Australia” as a way to help new sellers get started on reviewing employment contracts and declaring secondary income with the Department of Education in Australia. If you feel ready to dive in, this is a great place to start.
And finally, as already mentioned, I do have a Teacher Seller Masterclass that provides step-by-step guidance on how to sell your teaching resources on TPT as a teacher in Australia. My students have had great success following my tried-and-true path, and we eagerly welcome you to join us as well.
If you aren’t ready for the full masterclass yet, that’s okay! Don’t forget to SAVE this checklist so that you know exactly where to get started 🙂
- Review your employment contract with your district
- Declare secondary employment
- Hire a tax agent
- Register an ABN
- Register for a Basic or Premium Seller Membership
I don’t want to overwhelm you with information right out of the gate, so I’ll stop there! I’m here if ever you need support taking your business to the next level.
Wishing you all the best,
Jess
