A childcare centre is one of the clearest cases where the “just hire an architect” advice breaks down, and Tasmania’s chronic childcare place shortage means the projects that do get built need to move fast. Total cost to build and open a childcare centre in Australia, excluding land, typically runs $700,000 to $1,000,000, with construction alone around $600,000 to $650,000. That means many childcare projects sit right on the line between EcoPrestige’s two pricing paths, and the right path genuinely depends on your numbers, not a guess.
Architect, draftsperson, or neither
Larger or architecturally distinctive childcare centres sometimes justify a registered architect. Most do not. What every childcare project needs regardless is a full consultant set: drafting, structural engineering, an energy report, a building surveyor, and a planning assessment under the Tasmanian Planning Scheme, since childcare use is almost always a discretionary or permitted-with-conditions use in residential and mixed-use zones. Landscape design is common too, given outdoor play area requirements.
Why the $800,000 line matters
Under $800,000 in module supply value, EcoPrestige runs a standing quotation: a deposit credited toward your final design and permit package, with the full consultant allowance shown upfront. In Tasmania, permit drawings are issued by a licensed Tasmanian building designer we coordinate for you. At $800,000 and over, ECI applies: a $4,000 plus GST Stage 1 feasibility, credited against supply if you proceed, followed by a Stage 2 detailed design fee that scales with your supply value. Because childcare projects straddle this line so often, we tell you which path you are on before you commit to anything, not after.
The coordination problem, specific to childcare in a smaller market
Childcare adds layers a standard second dwelling never sees: National Quality Framework space ratios, outdoor play area compliance, fencing and sightline requirements, and a council planning process that looks closely at traffic and amenity. Tasmania has a smaller pool of commercial consultants than the mainland capitals, so running each discipline separately means longer waits when one firm is already stretched across other projects.
One roof, one accountable team
EcoPrestige coordinates drafting, structural engineering, the energy report, the building surveyor relationship, and town planning where the site needs it, under one team. That is genuinely rare for a childcare build, and more valuable again where the local consultant bench is thin. You are not replacing your architect with us. You are replacing the coordination burden of running several separate firms with one point of accountability.
What the full package actually costs
Under $800,000 in module supply value, the same consultant allowance applies: drafting $5,500, or $11,000 between $400,000 and $800,000, structural engineering $3,500, an energy report $800, a building surveyor $3,800, landscape design if required $1,200, and town planning if required $1,400. Fully loaded that runs $16,200 to $21,700 depending on your supply value and which optional items your site needs. At $800,000 and over, ECI applies instead: Stage 1 is a flat $4,000 plus GST feasibility fee, credited directly against your module supply cost if you proceed to order. Stage 2 is fixed by supply value and is never credited, $10,000 plus GST under $1 million, $20,000 plus GST from $1 million to $3 million, $30,000 plus GST from $3 million to $4 million, $40,000 plus GST over $4 million. Tell us your rough supply value and we confirm which path and which exact number applies before you commit to anything.
Why your consultant’s job gets easier
A consultant engaged through our ECI structure is not starting from a blank page. By the time they see your project, EcoPrestige has already done the structural computations and footing designs for the modular components, the fire engineering calculations, and the flood mapping where it applies. Drafting already covers services and penetrations, construction set outs, scope of works for plumbers and electricians, crane plans, transportation sequencing, the council submission pack, building surveyor review checks, and Section J calculations. Your consultant’s job becomes a secondary review, settling and certifying work that is already built, not pricing a fresh scope from scratch. If you already have a consultant, they can review and sign off directly. If you do not, we can put forward up to five for you to choose from. One line worth flagging: the in situ concrete slab sits with your own civil and building side, that is not part of what EcoPrestige delivers.
Get a feasibility and quote
Projects over $800,000 in module supply start with a $4,000 plus GST Stage 1 feasibility and concept, credited against supply if you proceed. Smaller projects get a calculated quote with consultant costs shown upfront, no hidden fees. Download the commercial price and supply guide: get the builder pack. Email your enquiry to info@ecoprestige.com.au with your site, your project size and roughly what you are after, and we reply with your exact consultant breakdown and which path applies, while we build out the dedicated enquiry form on the site.
Looking at a childcare build outside Tasmania? See the same breakdown for Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia. For the cost-per-place detail, see our childcare cost per place guide.