Business services ideas you can start from home in Australia

138 ideas

Business services suit people who already have a useful skill and want to sell it to other businesses without renting an office. This page brings together 138 ideas you can run from home, from a home-based bookkeeper for small businesses to a home-based medical transcriptionist or a freelance press and media adviser.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
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
Recruitment consultant meeting a job candidate across a desk in an office.

Niche recruiter working from home

Find permanent staff for local employers in one field you know well, working from a home office.

  • A$1.5k-6k
  • 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
Two people shaking hands over documents during a company sale agreement.

Independent business broker

Run your own broking practice from home, helping local owners sell their businesses and finding buyers.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Full-time
  • From home
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
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
Smiling estate agent handing house keys to a new homeowner.

Rental property management agency

Manage rental homes for landlords and earn steady management fees plus letting fees.

  • A$10k-40k
  • Part-time
  • From home
Agent showing a commercial lease to clients in front of an empty office.

Home-based office leasing agent

Help small businesses find and negotiate an office lease, working from home and getting paid by commission or fee.

  • A$2k-10k
  • Part-time
  • From home
A technician servicing a commercial espresso machine in a cafe kitchen.

Coffee machine reseller for cafés and offices

Sell, install and service commercial coffee machines for new cafés and workplaces, with beans and support on top.

  • A$8k-40k
  • Part-time
  • From home
Conservation craftsman repairing ornate stonework on a historic building facade.

Heritage advisor and report writer

Help owners and councils with heritage reports, approvals and repair advice for older buildings.

  • A$1.5k-8k
  • 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
Architect reviewing building design drawings and plans at a drafting desk.

Home-based residential building designer

Draw plans for home extensions, renovations and small builds for local homeowners from your home office.

  • A$2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Estate agent shows a couple around a house with keys in hand.

Independent local real estate agent

Run your own licensed agency from home, selling homes in the suburbs you know best.

  • A$15k-45k
  • Full-time
  • From home
An agent handing house keys to a tenant in front of a rental home.

Boutique rental property manager

Manage rentals for a small group of local landlords from a home office, with a personal touch.

  • A$6k-20k
  • Part-time
  • From home
Boxes of desk accessories and stationery stacked in a supplier's warehouse.

Home-based desk accessories wholesaler

Sell desk accessories and stationery in bulk to small shops and resellers, with stock kept at home and orders taken online.

  • A$2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
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
Shipping containers loaded at a port for export to overseas buyers.

Home-based export trader (buy to order)

Source Australian products for overseas buyers, buy only once they order, and handle the shipping paperwork.

  • A$2k-10k
  • 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 digger and generator parked on a construction site for hire.

Small equipment hire from home

Hire out trailers, pressure washers and garden gear to locals from your shed, with online bookings.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A finance broker reviewing loan documents with a client across a desk.

Home-based mortgage broker

Help people find and apply for home loans from a home office, paid commission by the lender.

  • A$3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • 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
Passport and visa forms on a desk during an immigration advice meeting.

Online registered migration agent

Guide individuals and employers through visa applications by video and email, working from home.

  • A$6k-20k
  • 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

About these ideas

Most start with a laptop, a phone and a handful of local contacts, though some, like a niche equipment importer holding small stock, need space and cash up front. Before choosing, think about who would pay you, whether your experience gives you credibility, and how you will find your first three clients. Also check whether your work needs a licence, registration or insurance.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need a licence to run a business services company from home?

It depends on the service. Bookkeeping, valuation, property management and some advisory work can involve registration, licensing or professional membership requirements. Check with the relevant state or federal regulator and your industry body before you take on paying clients.

Can I run a business from home under my local council rules?

Many councils allow home-based businesses, but rules vary on signage, client visits, deliveries and storing stock. Check your local council's requirements, and any strata, lease or body corporate rules, before you start, especially if you plan to hold stock.

What should I sort out first when starting a home-based business service?

Start with the basics: whether you need an ABN, how you will handle GST and tax, and what insurance suits your work, such as professional indemnity. An accountant or the Australian Taxation Office can confirm what applies to you.