Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question?

Last updated 7 November 2025.

What subjects do you tutor?
We only tutor English for years 7-10, and VCE English year 11 and 12 (units 1-4).

What do I get for joining?
Years 7-11

  • 1hr small group class per week (usually 2-8 students), focused on content
  • Weekly content class notes
  • Marking
  • Ongoing support outside of class
  • Personal attention and support from your tutor to help you work towards your goals
  • Any additional resources or support necessary

Year 12

  • All of the above, PLUS
  • Unlimited marking
  • 1hr workshop per week, focused on SAC and exam preparation
  • Heaps of additional practice essay questions, SACs and exams, extension resources, cheat sheets, revision notes, and 45+ scorer readings
  • Occasional bonus revision classes and materials free of charge

Where are the classes held?
All classes are exclusively online. We do not have an in-person office. We are based in Melbourne, though!

How much does it cost?
Group tutoring (paid termly) is priced as follows (incl GST):

  • Years 7-9: $48 per week ($66 per session casual drop-in)
  • Years 10-11: $62 per week ($85 per session casual drop-in)
  • Year 12: $85-149 per week (depending on tier)

Marking is $60 per 1000 word essay. See below for details.
NOTE: There is a one-time enrolment fee ($75) for new students who have not worked with us before ($150 for year 12). This covers establishing you into our system and setting you up with all the key materials.

What if I can't make the full term?
No stress! We offer drop-in options if you know you have to miss more than two classes in a term and/or can't arrange make up lessons. Pricing is as follows:
- Years 7-9: $66 per session
- Years 10-11: $85 per session
- Year 12: $129/week (2x classes + 1 essay marked)

Do you offer one-on-one tutoring?
No, all our classes are run as group sessions.

How does payment / billing work?
All payments are made in advance, per billing term.
For years 7-11, the 2025 term billing schedule is as follows:

  • Term 1: 28 January - 4 April (10 weeks)
  • Term 2: 22 April - 4 July (11 weeks)
  • Term 3: 21 July - 19 September (9 weeks)
  • Term 4: 6 October - 19 December (11 weeks)

School holidays for years 7-11 are billed separately.

For year 12, terms are billed every 8-10 weeks and lessons continue through school holidays. Each block entitles you to access to all our classes and resources for the time specified on the invoice.

The year 12 blocks in 2025 will be:

  • Text response 1: 6 January - 28 February (8 weeks)
  • Creating texts: 3 March - 25 April (8 weeks)
  • Argument analysis: 28 April - 27 June (8 weeks)
  • Text response 2: 30 June - 29 August (8 weeks)
  • Revision: 1 September - 31 October (9 weeks)


I loved my trial! How can I enrol?
After your trial session, we’ll get in touch to see how you found it. If you haven’t heard from us, send us an email at admin@hellosmart.com.au.
We’ll then get a few more details from you to finalise enrolment and send through the first invoice.
Once that's finalised, you'll have access to all the class zoom links, notes, and other resources.

What content will be covered?
Year 12 students are grouped by topic. They will study the same books as they do in school, and all content is focused on the year 12 curriculum.
The year 12 curriculum we teach may be timed slightly differently to what you do at school and will usually be accelerated rather than behind. The actual material will be the same.

Years 7-11 are grouped by year level and ability and are taught an extension curriculum. The texts they cover in class will be different to what they do in school. However, the types of tasks will be the same, and will enable them to develop and extend the same skills.

Who is the tutor?
All classes are taught by a previous high-achieving VCE graduate. While we will endeavour to keep students with the same tutor across the term (and hopefully the year), sometimes scheduling difficulties may necessitate a change.
Students have access to all tutors in case they want a particular expert opinion. Tutors are trained in both one-on-one and group teaching. All tutors follow the same curriculum and are trained to teach in the same style.
We have experience teaching hundreds of students over 5+ years.

Do you offer free trials?
No. Our classes are highly specialised intensive programs, not traditional tutoring. Because of the individualisation that goes into each student's start, trials are not free.

Students in years 10-12 can trial by attending one of our intensive programs. Students in years 7-9 can sign up for a minimum of 3 weeks.

How many students are in a class?
We endeavour to cap ongoing classes at 8 students, though they usually are around 2-5. Intensive programs may be more. Due to seasonal variability, no guarantees can be made as We retain all rights to determine the final number of students in a class.

What are your students’ past results?
In 2023, 2/3 of our students scored 40+ (top 9% of the state), and 1/3 scored 45+ (top 2% of the state). Our 2024 results were similar, with 90% of students identified as high achievers scoring 40+.
On average, a year 11 or 12 student who starts with us scoring 70s will be able to achieve 90s within 3 months if they attend all classes and complete all set work.

Will I get personalised attention?
Yes! Even though we run group classes, the tutor gets to know every student over the course of the term. Your tutor will keep in contact with you via email, set homework relevant to your level, and give you additional resources just for you where necessary.

Goodbye hard, hello smart.

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On average, our students improve 11% after working with us. Will you be next?
Hello Smart tutoring follows a carefully designed, intensive curriculum so students can achieve results faster than with traditional VCE English tutoring.
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