Business services ideas you can start for up to A$5,000

102 ideas

Business services ideas tend to rely on what you know rather than what you buy, which is why so many can start within A$5,000. This page lists 102 of them.

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5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
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
Assessor with clipboard examining storm damage to a house roof.

Home-based desktop claims assessor

Assess smaller or straightforward claims from home using photos, quotes and policy documents, working for insurers and adjusting firms.

  • A$1k-4k
  • Part-time
  • From home
A small team planning sales growth and client partnerships around a table.

Outsourced business development for small firms

Act as a part-time sales and partnerships lead for small businesses that need new customers but can't hire one.

  • A$300-2k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Commission-based partnerships and referrals broker

Introduce buyers and partners to businesses you know well and earn a commission on the deals that close.

  • A$200-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Bookkeeper recording figures in ledgers at a desk with a laptop.

Home-based bookkeeper for small businesses

Keep the books up to date for local tradies, cafes and shops from your home office, paid monthly.

  • A$500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Visiting bookkeeper for local trades and shops

Visit small businesses on a regular day to sort receipts, payroll and accounts in person.

  • A$1k-4k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Customer service agents wearing headsets taking calls at desks in an office.

Home-based call answering service

Answer calls and enquiries for tradies and small businesses who can't pick up the phone.

  • A$500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Staff at desks processing data on computers in a shared administrative office.

Remote admin and data entry service

Take on data entry, inbox and admin tasks for small businesses on a monthly retainer, from your home office.

  • A$300-2k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Local business owners chatting and exchanging contacts at a networking breakfast.

Local business networking group

Run regular meetings where local business owners swap referrals, funded by monthly or yearly member fees.

  • A$500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about

Online business networking community

Host online meetups for small business owners in a niche or region, funded by a membership fee.

  • A$200-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
Person typing information from paper documents into a computer at an office desk.

Home-based data entry service

Type or enter information from documents into spreadsheets and systems for small businesses, from your home office.

  • A$200-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Smiling couple meeting for the first time at a relaxed social dating event.

Boutique matchmaking service

Personally get to know clients and introduce them to compatible people, paid by a membership or matching fee.

  • A$500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A researcher interviewing a customer with a clipboard and notes during a survey.

Freelance market researcher for small businesses

Run surveys and customer interviews from home to help local businesses understand what their customers want.

  • A$500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Branded pens, mugs and tote bags displayed on a table ready for printing.

Home-based promotional products reseller

Source branded pens, mugs and clothing from suppliers and sell them to local businesses and clubs.

  • A$300-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A worker processing healthcare invoices and claim forms at a desk with a computer.

Home-based billing for small clinics

Handle invoicing and claims for allied health and small practices from your home office, for a monthly fee.

  • A$1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Agent wearing headset making calls at a desk in an office.

Home-based freelance telemarketer

Make outbound sales, appointment-setting or survey calls from home for small businesses, paid per hour or per result.

  • A$500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A job seeker's CV and laptop on a desk during a writing session.

Online CV and cover letter writer

Write and polish CVs, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles for job seekers, all by email and video call.

  • A$100-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online

CV writer with interview coaching

Offer CV writing plus one-to-one sessions and interview prep for local job seekers, from home or a hired room.

  • A$300-2.5k
  • Part-time
  • From home
Stack of plain white envelopes arranged on a warehouse shelf.

Online envelope and stationery shop

Sell envelopes in set sizes and colours to small businesses online, with stock from a wholesaler.

  • A$500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
A recruiter meeting a candidate across a desk during a job interview in an office.

Home-based niche recruiter for outsourcing firms

Find and place skilled workers with outsourcing companies from your home office, and earn a fee for each successful hire.

  • A$1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A worker printing large colourful promotional banners in a print shop.

Home-based banner and sign designer

Design banners and signs for local businesses and events, and have a trade printer produce them.

  • A$500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A creative team planning an advertising campaign around a whiteboard in a modern office.

Home-based marketing consultant for local businesses

Plan and run social media and ad campaigns for local businesses from your home office, on monthly retainers.

  • A$500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
An accountant reviewing cost figures and spreadsheets on a desk with charts.

Cost analysis for small businesses

Work out what it really costs small producers and trades to make and deliver their products, paid per project or monthly.

  • A$500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Staff packing and labelling parcels at a busy mailing counter.

Pack-and-post service for online sellers

Pack, label and post parcels from home for eBay, Etsy and small shop sellers who'd rather not do it themselves.

  • A$500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

About these ideas

They suit people with experience in areas like marketing, finance, hiring or operations who want to sell that knowledge to other businesses. You might look at an online marketing consultant for one niche, a small business finance consultant, or an import compliance adviser for small businesses. Before you choose, work out who would pay for your skills and what problem you would solve for them. Check whether your work needs a licence, registration or insurance, and think about how you will find your first few clients. Start with the ideas closest to your current experience.

More ideas

Questions

What should I check before starting a business services company in Australia?

Check whether your type of advice or service needs a licence, registration or professional insurance, as some fields are regulated. It is also worth confirming your business structure, ABN and GST position, and any tax obligations with the relevant authorities or an accountant.

Can I start a consulting business from home with under A$5,000?

Many consulting ideas can be run from home with a laptop, a website and basic software, which keeps costs low. Check your insurance needs, any rules about running a business from your home, and whether your skills are specific enough for clients to pay for.

How do I find my first clients for a business services idea?

Start with people who already know your work, such as past employers, colleagues and industry contacts. Choose one type of business to focus on, and check where those owners look for help, such as local networks, online groups or referrals from accountants.