Online food business ideas you can start in Australia
22 ideas
These 24 online food business ideas suit people who want to sell through a website rather than a shopfront. Some are product-led, like an online loose-leaf tea shop or an online cheese boxes and gifts business.
Online rice and grain supplier
Sell specialty rice and grains online and deliver to households and local restaurants, without a shopfront.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online nut and trail mix store
Sell packed nuts, dried fruit and custom trail mixes online and post them across Australia.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online cured ham and gift box store
Sell cured hams and smallgoods online with chilled delivery and gift boxes.
- A$3k-20k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online rice cracker and snack store
Sell rice crackers and Asian savoury snacks online, with taster packs and subscription boxes posted across Australia.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online loose-leaf tea shop
Sell loose-leaf teas and gift sets online from home, packed and posted to tea lovers around Australia.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online organic grocery with local delivery
Take orders online for organic groceries and produce boxes, and deliver or offer pickup in your local area.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online cheese boxes and gifts
Sell curated cheese boxes and gift packs online, packed and posted from a licensed kitchen or unit.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Grower-direct fruit supplier for businesses
Take orders online from local businesses and source fruit direct from growers, with pickups or shared deliveries.
- A$2k-12k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online dried seafood store
Sell dried fish, scallops, shrimp and squid online to home cooks, packed and posted from home.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online Italian pantry and hampers
Sell Italian pantry staples and gift hampers through your own website, packed and posted from a spare room or small storage space.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online meat box delivery
Sell pre-portioned meat boxes online and deliver them chilled to local households, without a shopfront.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Online
Online specialty soda store
Sell specialty sodas and mixers online and supply local cafés and bars, with no shopfront needed.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online Russian and Eastern European grocery store
Sell shelf-stable Russian and Eastern European foods online and post them or arrange local pick-up.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online European food store
Sell European packaged foods and gifts online and post them to customers across Australia.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online specialty ingredients supplier
Sell a focused range of bulk ingredients online to cafes and caterers, shipped to their door.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online Filipino grocery store
Sell Filipino pantry goods and snacks online and post them to customers who live far from a Filipino shop.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online kosher grocery with local delivery
Sell kosher groceries by online order and deliver to homes, starting from a spare room or small storage space.
- A$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online baking supplies store
Sell cake tins, decorating tools and specialty ingredients to home bakers from home, shipped Australia-wide.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online tea wholesale supplier
Sell tea in bulk to cafés, shops and hotels through a simple online ordering site, shipped from a storage space.
- A$4k-20k
- Part-time
- Online
Online Korean grocery store
Sell shelf-stable Korean groceries online and post them to customers, starting from home.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online Indian grocery and spice store
Sell spice boxes, pantry staples and snacks online, with local delivery or postage, from a home base.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online Japanese sweets store
Sell Japanese snacks, lollies and snack boxes online and post them to customers across Australia.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Online
About these ideas
Others lean on supply relationships, such as a grower-direct fruit supplier for businesses. Before choosing, think about how your products will be stored and delivered, especially if they are fresh or need to stay cold. Check what food safety registrations and labelling rules apply in your state or council area, and whether you will make, pack or simply resell the products. Work out your margins after postage and packaging, and decide whether you want to serve households or other businesses.
Questions
Do I need a licence to sell food online in Australia?
Often you need to check some form of food business registration with your local council or state authority. Requirements can differ depending on whether you handle, store or pack food, so confirm the details with your council before you sell.
Can I run an online food business from home?
Many people do, but it is worth checking whether your council allows food handling or storage at your address. Resale of sealed, packaged goods may be treated differently from preparing food, so ask before you buy stock.
How do I choose between selling to households or businesses?
Think about order size, delivery needs and how you will find customers. Households may mean many small parcels, while businesses like cafes or offices may order regularly. Check which suits your supply, storage and time.