Agriculture business ideas over $20,000 in Australia
75 ideas
These 76 agriculture ideas suit people who can put serious capital behind a venture, whether from savings, equipment finance or a lease arrangement. Some are machinery-led, like bulk topsoil delivery by tipper truck or a tree felling and thinning contractor.
Small-acreage lamb or beef, sold direct
Raise a small mob of sheep or cattle on your own or leased land and sell meat boxes direct to local customers.
- A$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Fatten cattle or sheep on agisted or leased grazing
Rent grazing land, buy young stock, grow them out and sell to saleyards or processors.
- A$15k-70k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Rural hay and bedding yard
Hold hay, straw and bedding in a shed and sell to walk-in customers and regular delivery clients.
- A$10k-50k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Full-care horse agistment property
Offer paddocks plus daily feeding, rugging and health checks for horse owners who are short on time.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Christmas tree farm (cut-your-own)
Grow Christmas trees on a rural block and sell them fresh to families each December.
- A$5k-30k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Small free-range pig farm selling pork boxes
Raise a small number of pigs outdoors and sell the pork directly to local households and restaurants.
- A$8k-30k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Small breeding herd selling weaners and breeders
Keep a few breeding sows and a boar, and sell weaners and breeding pigs to small farms and lifestylers.
- A$6k-25k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Pumpkin patch farm day out with café stall
Run a bigger autumn pumpkin patch with kids' activities, school visits and a food and drink stall.
- A$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile farrier: shoeing at the stable or paddock
Travel to horse owners and fit custom-shaped horseshoes on a regular shoeing cycle.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile milking machine service tech
Service and repair milking plants on dairy farms and supply the parts you fit, from your ute or van.
- A$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Dairy parts and consumables supplier
Stock and deliver milking liners, filters, hoses and fittings to dairy farms from a small shed or unit.
- A$10k-50k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Free-range egg farm on rural land
Run a larger free-range laying flock and sell eggs through markets, shops and cafes.
- A$200k-800k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small-block beef cattle, part-time
Buy weaner steers, grow them on a small block or agisted paddocks, and sell them on to dealers, farmers or an abattoir.
- A$10k-50k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Beef breeding herd, full-time
Run breeding cows on leased or owned land and sell weaners or breeding stock to feedlots, dealers and other farmers.
- A$80k-400k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Boutique horse breeding for foal sales
Breed a few quality mares on your own or leased land and sell the foals or young horses.
- A$15k-70k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Stallion at stud service
Stand a stallion at stud and charge mare owners a fee for breeding to him.
- A$10k-50k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Local animal feed and supplies shop
Sell feed, bedding and supplies to farmers, horse owners and pet owners from a small shopfront or shed.
- A$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile farrier service
Trim and shoe horses at stables, agistment properties and private paddocks on a regular round.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Small flock of sheep for lamb and wool
Run a small flock on land you own or lease and sell lambs and wool through local agents or saleyards.
- A$20k-100k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Paddock-to-plate meat boxes
Raise a few lambs, cattle or pigs on small acreage and sell the meat in boxes straight to local customers.
- A$8k-35k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small market garden selling direct
Grow vegetables and herbs on a small plot and sell them at markets, to cafes and through weekly boxes.
- A$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Local farm produce supplier to cafes and restaurants
Buy fresh produce direct from nearby growers and deliver it in bulk to cafes, restaurants and grocers.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile farm supplies and parts delivery
Drive a regular rural round delivering tools, parts and supplies to farms and sourcing hard-to-find items on request.
- A$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Rural farm equipment shop and yard
Open a small shop or yard in a farming town selling machinery, tools and parts, with delivery and after-sales help.
- A$80k-300k
- Full-time
- Own premises
About these ideas
Others are built around infrastructure and product, such as a wholesale orchid nursery for florists and garden centres or paddock-to-plate meat boxes. Before you commit, work out what you actually need to buy versus lease, how long it takes to earn your first dollar, and whether you have access to land, water and reliable buyers. Check licensing, insurance, biosecurity and council requirements early, because they can affect both cost and timing. Start by costing your equipment and working capital realistically.
More ideas
- Boutique horse breeding on your own acreage
- Small stud with stallion services
- Small commercial greenhouse grower
- Full-time wholesale nursery with shadehouses
- Free-range egg supplier to local shops and cafes
- Honey and wax producer with shop supply
- Contract spraying for farms and landowners
- Slashing and paddock maintenance for rural blocks
- Weekend pick-your-own berry or veggie patch
- Full-time pick-your-own farm with farm shop
- Small pond farm for yabbies or freshwater fish
- Small market garden growing vegetables
- Part-time livestock trader (small lots)
- Full-time livestock dealer with own transport
- Local irrigation supplies shop
- Full-care livery stable
- Small oyster grower selling direct to venues
- Goat or sheep milk creamery on a small farm
- Small-block vegetable and field crop grower
- Grain cropping on leased or share-farmed land
- Wholesale orchid nursery for florists and garden centres
- Vegetable supply run for cafes and restaurants
- Vegetable wholesale unit with cool room
- Small-boat prawn fisher
- Small orchard selling at markets and shops
- Pick-your-own and farm gate orchard
- Tubestock nursery for landscapers
- Full-care horse boarding stables
- Small landscape supply yard
- Tree felling and thinning contractor
- Organic market garden
- Organic veggie box subscription
- Small vineyard growing grapes for wineries
- Boutique vineyard with your own wine label
- Greenhouse orchid grower supplying florists and retailers
- Farm shop on your property
- Bulk topsoil delivery by tipper truck
- Topsoil and landscape supply yard
- Market garden supplying chefs and local shops
- Mobile farm inputs supplier
- Small rural supply store
- Pick-your-own Christmas tree farm
- Tank-based fish farm in a shed
- Rural tractor and machinery parts counter
- Small turf farm
- Mobile farm machinery repairer
- Farm machinery repair workshop
- Local fertiliser and soil supply yard
- Small-acreage sheep or goat breeder
- Registered stud breeder selling breeding stock
- Pasture and crop seed supplier for farms
Questions
How do I choose between a machinery business and a land-based one?
Machinery businesses, like contracting or delivery, can earn sooner but depend on equipment costs, maintenance and steady work. Land-based ideas often need more time and access to land or water. Compare your cash buffer, skills and how quickly you need income.
Should I lease land or buy it for a farming business?
Leasing or share-farming usually lowers the upfront outlay, but check the term, renewal rights, who pays for improvements and what the agreement allows. Buying gives control but ties up capital. A solicitor and accountant can help you compare options.
What should I check before starting a farm-based business in Australia?
Check council zoning and permits, water access, biosecurity rules, food safety requirements if you sell produce, vehicle or machinery licensing, and insurance. Requirements differ by state and activity, so confirm details with the relevant authorities before you spend money.