Microcredential pricing
Set a price for a short course or microcredential that recovers its build cost across a realistic number of enrolments.
For RTOs, independent trainers, consultants launching a short course
How to use this calculator
Start with the worked example below. Replace the figures in Your numbers with your own inputs, then select Recalculate. Read the assumptions and limitations before using the estimate in your planning. Save report downloads the last calculated results and inputs.
Suggested price
$230.46
Covers build, support, marketing and fees and leaves your target margin.
- Total build cost
- $8,480.00
- One-off build plus a year of keeping it current.
- Build cost per learner
- $84.80
- Build cost spread across your expected enrolments: halve the enrolments and this doubles.
- Variable cost per learner
- $65.00
- Support and marketing for one more learner.
- Total cost per learner
- $149.80
- The floor. A price below this loses money on every sale.
- Margin per learner
- $69.14
- What is left after costs and platform fees.
- Enrolments to recover the build
- 55.09 people
- Sales needed before the build cost is paid back at this price.
This is an estimate to support your professional judgement, not a determination. Our tools draft. You validate.
Saves the last calculated inputs, results and assumptions to your device. Recalculate after changing inputs.
Your numbers
Design, content, assessment and platform setup, once.
What an hour of your or a contractor's time costs.
Video production, graphic design, platform setup, licensed content.
How many learners you realistically expect while recovering the build cost.
Questions, feedback and assessment for one learner. Zero for fully self-paced with no assessment.
Your cost per hour of learner support.
Percentage taken by your hosting platform and payment processor combined.
Advertising spend divided by enrolments won. Zero if you sell only to an existing audience.
Percentage of the price you want left as profit after all costs.
Content refresh, link fixing and regulatory updates.
How this is worked out
Build cost = build hours × rate + one-off costs + annual update hours × rate. Build per learner = build cost ÷ expected enrolments. Variable per learner = support hours × rate + marketing. Price = (build per learner + variable) ÷ (1 − margin% − platform fee%).
What it assumes
- You reach the enrolment number you entered. The build cost per learner is entirely driven by this and it is the assumption most often wrong.
- One year of update effort is recovered across the same enrolment number.
- Platform and payment fees are a straight percentage of the price.
What it does NOT account for
- Your own time selling it, answering pre-sale questions and handling refunds.
- GST. Register and the price a learner pays changes even if your revenue does not.
- Discounting, bundles and affiliate commissions.
- Accreditation or endorsement costs, if the microcredential is recognised by a body.
- The risk that it does not sell at all. The build cost is spent regardless.
What to do next
- Re-run at half your expected enrolments. That price is the one to launch at if you can bear it.
- Check the price against what comparable short courses actually sell for, not what you would like them to.
- Decide the update commitment before launching. An out-of-date microcredential damages more than it earns.
- If the price looks too high, reduce the build scope rather than the margin. Margin is what funds the next one.
Sources
- Cost-recovery pricing model: Fixed build recovered across expected volume, plus variable per-learner cost, grossed up for margin and fees. Standard cost-plus pricing, stated in full so members can check it. (reviewed 2026-08-27)
- Platform fees: Entered as an input; platform and payment-processor rates vary widely and change without notice. (reviewed 2026-08-27)