Australia’s Youngest Entrepreneurs Are Changing the Game – And They’re Not Even Out of School

Her startup, Kidzcationz, is being dubbed “TripAdvisor for kids.” And honestly, it’s genius.

How It All Started

After a family holiday left her feeling like kids were an afterthought, Bella had a lightbulb moment. While her mum left a glowing review for the hotel, Bella couldn’t relate.

“The fold-out bed I had was uncomfortable and the kids' meals were the same old dried-out nuggets and pasta. To me, it was like the parents mattered, but the kids didn’t,” she said.

That simple frustration sparked an idea—what if kids had a say in reviewing travel experiences?

From Idea to Reality

Back home in Dubbo, Bella turned her vision into a pitch. But she wasn’t handed the opportunity. Her mum, Bernadette, treated it like a proper investment. “I said, ‘Ok, I’m the investor here pitch the idea, write a business plan, give me the what, where, who, when, and your exit strategy.’”

Bella delivered. And the result? Kidzcationz a platform where kids can safely leave reviews using avatars, earning points as they go.

Her parents backed the business to the tune of $80,000, covering trademarks and insurance. That’s a serious vote of confidence in a 12-year-old’s vision.

Why Kidzcationz Matters

Kidzcationz isn’t just a cute concept it’s a smart one. Kids have more say in holiday planning than most people think. Bella’s platform gives them a voice in the decision-making process and helps families create more kid-friendly travel experiences.

"I want kids to write reviews so if they’ve had a really fun holiday, other kids can read it and have a better time too," she said.

The Bigger Picture: Young Entrepreneurs in Australia

Bella isn’t alone. More young Aussies are taking control of their futures through entrepreneurship. Stats from BankWest show business ownership among 25 to 34-year-olds jumped 8.5 percent in just one year. But for even younger founders those under 24 the numbers are still low.

The Foundation for Young Australians reports that only 8.7 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds start businesses, well below the national average of 13.1 percent.

Why? A lack of funding, support, and know-how about legal and regulatory hurdles hold many back. That’s something the FYA is working to change.

Chief Executive Jan Owen puts it simply: “The more young people are given the opportunity to flex their entrepreneurial muscles, the more embedded it becomes in their thinking and skill set.”

Another Name Worth Knowing: Kara Landau

Take Kara Landau, for example. She kicked off her business, Corporate Nutrition Melbourne, at just 21. While she admits there were tough lessons along the way, the freedom and direction that came from being her own boss made it worth it.

“If you’ve got that deep entrepreneurial drive and the mental toughness to take the knocks, then go for it,” she said. “I don’t regret it for a second.”

Why This Matters for Australia’s Future

Entrepreneurs like Bella and Kara are proof that age doesn’t define ability. With the right mindset, support, and opportunities, young Australians can launch powerful, profitable ventures—and they already are.

And if we want more Bellas, more Karas, and more world-changing ideas coming out of our backyard, then it’s time we start backing the next generation the way we back our sports teams and startups.

Let’s not just ask what the future holds let’s ask who’s building it.

Image Credit: https://kidzcationz.com/