Business Ideas You Can Start for Up to $5,000 in Australia

713 ideas

A budget of up to $5,000 is enough to start many real businesses without borrowing heavily. This page lists 713 ideas, from home-based invitation and stationery printing and pet and home sitting to a second-hand market stall or a home styling and staging consultancy.

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Students and an instructor practising kung fu forms in a training hall.

Kung fu classes in a hired hall

Teach kung fu to kids and adults in a hired community hall a few evenings a week.

  • A$800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Rows of plain and printed paper bags stacked on supplier shelves.

Online paper bag supplier

Sell plain and printed paper bags online to local shops, cafes and event organisers, shipped from a supplier or your spare room.

  • A$1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A client relaxing in a sunbed in a clean, well-lit tanning salon.

Mobile spray tanning

Travel to clients' homes, events and parties with a portable spray tan setup.

  • A$1.5k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Adult students following a teacher at a whiteboard in an English language class.

Online English tutoring and small classes

Teach English to learners by video, one-to-one or in small groups, from your own home.

  • A$300-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
An instructor guides a child riding a pony during a lesson in an arena.

Freelance riding instructor

Teach riding lessons at local agistment properties and arenas, using students' own horses or hired school horses.

  • A$1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Music teacher guiding a pupil through a piano lesson at home.

Visiting music teacher

Travel to students' homes or teach at local schools and childcare centres.

  • A$300-2k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
A bright teaching kitchen with an instructor guiding students at cooking stations.

Pop-up cooking classes in a hired kitchen

Run small hands-on cooking classes for home cooks in a hired community or commercial kitchen.

  • A$800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
A bright teaching kitchen with an instructor guiding students at cooking stations.

Online cooking classes and courses

Teach cooking skills over video, with live classes or a recorded course students follow at home.

  • A$300-2k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
Diners eating plant-based dishes at a table in a vegan restaurant.

Vegan pop-up dinner nights

Test your concept with ticketed vegan dinners in borrowed venues before taking on a full restaurant lease.

  • A$1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Consultant reviewing a house floor plan with a compass on a desk.

Online Vastu consultant

Review floor plans and home layouts by video call and give clear Vastu advice to clients across Australia.

  • A$300-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
Technician replacing a cracked phone screen at a repair bench.

Home-based screen repair with drop-off or post

Repair phone, tablet and laptop screens from a home workbench, with local drop-off or mail-in jobs.

  • A$800-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A karaoke host leads guests singing at a wedding reception.

Weekly karaoke nights at pubs and venues

Run a regular karaoke night for a local pub, club or bar and build a loyal crowd.

  • A$1.5k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
A carer sitting in a home and relaxing with a cat on her lap.

Home-based cat boarding

Look after other people's cats in a calm spare room at your home while their owners are away.

  • A$500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A transcriptionist wearing headphones typing clinical notes at a computer.

Home-based medical transcriptionist

Type up doctors' dictation and clinical notes into accurate letters and reports from your home office.

  • A$600-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Notary stamping and signing a legal document on a desk at an office.

Mobile notary public

Travel to homes, workplaces and hospitals to witness and certify documents for people who need them accepted overseas.

  • A$1.5k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Pupils learning instruments together in a bright music school classroom.

Home music studio teaching one instrument

Teach piano, guitar or singing to local students from a spare room at home.

  • A$300-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Pupils learning instruments together in a bright music school classroom.

Online music and singing lessons

Teach instrument or voice lessons over video to students across your state or beyond.

  • A$200-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
Care worker assisting an older person at home with a warm smile.

Independent home support for older people

Help older people stay at home with personal care, meals, company and outings, paid privately by families.

  • A$600-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Group of people doing toning exercises in a bright studio class.

Body shaping classes in a hired hall

Run weekly toning and shaping classes in a community hall or studio you hire by the hour.

  • A$800-3.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Group of people doing toning exercises in a bright studio class.

Outdoor body shaping in the park

Lead toning and shaping sessions in a local park with bands and light kit, with very low overheads.

  • A$500-2k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Group of people doing toning exercises in a bright studio class.

Online body shaping classes

Teach live toning and shaping classes over video from home to members anywhere in Australia.

  • A$300-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
Editor working on video timeline across two monitors in an editing suite.

Freelance video editor for local businesses

Turn raw footage into polished promo, social and training videos for local businesses and creators from home.

  • A$500-4k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Editor working on video timeline across two monitors in an editing suite.

Wedding and event video editor

Edit highlight reels and full films for videographers and event clients who need footage turned into keepsake videos.

  • A$1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
Editor working on video timeline across two monitors in an editing suite.

YouTube and social video editor on retainer

Edit weekly videos for creators and online businesses on a monthly retainer, working fully online.

  • A$300-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Online

About these ideas

They suit people who want to test a business while keeping their job, or who prefer to grow from sales rather than loans. Before you choose, work out what you already own, such as a computer, a car or a spare room, because that can stretch your budget. Then check what insurance, licences or council permissions your idea might need, and whether you can find your first paying customers within a few weeks of launching.

More ideas

Questions

What should I spend a $5,000 budget on first?

Start with the items you need to make your first sale: basic equipment, stock or software, and any insurance or registrations. Hold back some money for marketing and slow weeks. Avoid fancy branding or premises until customers are paying you.

Do I need an ABN to start a small business in Australia?

Often you will want one, but it depends on your situation and how you earn income. Check the Australian Business Register and the ATO to see whether you need an ABN, GST registration or other tax obligations, and consider asking an accountant.

Do I need licences or insurance for a low-cost business?

It depends on the idea and where you operate. Check with your local council, state or territory regulator and an insurer. Food, pets, working with others on their premises, or selling at markets can each have specific requirements to confirm.