Hospitality Business Ideas You Can Start in Australia

156 ideas

Hospitality covers anything where you look after guests, from a pop-up cocktail bar at markets to a small owner-run hotel or motel. These 156 ideas suit people who enjoy hosting, can handle late nights and weekend work, and are comfortable managing staff and suppliers.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premises
Neat hotel bedroom with a made bed and soft window light.

Holiday rental house or unit

Run a whole house or unit as a furnished holiday let for guests staying a few nights.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Neat hotel bedroom with a made bed and soft window light.

Small bed and breakfast

Welcome guests to a few rooms in your house or property with a cooked breakfast included.

  • A$5k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
A band performing under stage lights to an enthusiastic concert crowd.

Small live music bar

Run a small bar with a stage, hosting local bands most nights and earning from door entry and drinks.

  • A$80k-300k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
A band performing under stage lights to an enthusiastic concert crowd.

Weekend gig room in a leased hall or shed

Turn a hired hall or warehouse into a gig space for Friday and Saturday shows, keeping your costs lower.

  • A$8k-30k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
Customers enjoying craft beer and food at a brewpub with brewing equipment visible.

Neighbourhood brewpub with a kitchen

Brew your own beer in a compact system and serve it with a simple food menu in a local pub-style venue.

  • A$250k-1000k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Customers enjoying craft beer and food at a brewpub with brewing equipment visible.

Taproom brewpub in an industrial unit

Brew and pour in a leased industrial unit, with a small food menu or a regular food partner to keep costs down.

  • A$150k-600k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Wooden cabins beside a lake at a fishing camp with anglers casting.

Bush camping site with fishing access

Offer simple powered or unpowered campsites and day passes on land with river, creek or dam fishing.

  • A$6k-30k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
Wooden cabins beside a lake at a fishing camp with anglers casting.

Small fishing lodge with cabins

Run a few cabins or rooms beside good water, with fishing access and hosting included in the stay.

  • A$60k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Rows of tables and chairs set up in an event hall for a function.

Small-scale catering equipment hire from home

Hire out urns, chafing dishes, tables and chairs to party hosts and caterers from a garage or shed.

  • A$2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Rows of tables and chairs set up in an event hall for a function.

Catering equipment hire depot with delivery

Run a unit stocked with ovens, urns, marquee furniture and glassware for caterers and event hosts.

  • A$80k-300k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Tidy furnished apartment bedroom ready for holidaymakers arriving for a short stay.

Holiday stay in your granny flat or spare unit

Furnish a self-contained unit at your property and rent it to holidaymakers by the night.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Tidy furnished apartment bedroom ready for holidaymakers arriving for a short stay.

Leased holiday apartment in a visitor area

Lease one or two apartments with the owner's written consent, furnish them and rent them to holidaymakers.

  • A$8k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Bright furnished flat living room with sofa, table and kitchen corner.

Serviced apartment in a leased unit

Lease a furnished flat or house with the owner's written consent and rent it to business travellers and visitors.

  • A$5k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Bright furnished flat living room with sofa, table and kitchen corner.

Short-stay management for property owners

Run listings, guests and cleaning for owners of holiday homes and flats, and take a share of the bookings.

  • A$500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Tourists sitting aboard a tour boat on calm water.

Online boat tour booking agency

Sell local boat trips online for skippers and tour boats, and earn a commission on each booking.

  • A$1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
Tourists sitting aboard a tour boat on calm water.

Small boat tour operator

Run your own scenic, fishing or snorkelling trips for tourists and groups from a local harbour or marina.

  • A$40k-200k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Barista pulling an espresso shot at a busy counter in a small cafe.

Espresso bar in a small shopfront

Serve quality coffee and simple snacks from a compact shop to commuters and locals on the move.

  • A$60k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Barista pulling an espresso shot at a busy counter in a small cafe.

Mobile espresso cart or van

Take your coffee setup to markets, events and busy worksites instead of paying for a shopfront.

  • A$15k-80k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Guide leading a small group of hikers along a mountain trail with map in hand.

Weekend day-walk hiking guide

Lead small groups on guided day walks on local trails, running trips on weekends around your other work.

  • A$800-3.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Guide leading a small group of hikers along a mountain trail with map in hand.

Multi-day trek and tour guide

Run guided overnight and multi-day hikes with a full season of trips, selling packaged treks to visitors and groups.

  • A$4k-20k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
Bright self-catering holiday cottage living room with a no-smoking sign.

Non-smoking granny flat or studio stay

Rent a granny flat, studio or spare room on your property to holiday guests who want a smoke-free stay.

  • A$2k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Bright self-catering holiday cottage living room with a no-smoking sign.

Non-smoking holiday home rental

Run a whole house or apartment as a smoke-free self-catering holiday stay in a visitor area.

  • A$8k-40k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Visitors riding horses across open pasture at a rural guest ranch.

Farm stay with horse riding

Host a few guests at a cottage on rural land you already have, with guided rides and farm activities.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
Visitors riding horses across open pasture at a rural guest ranch.

Guest ranch with cabins and trail rides

Run a full-time ranch stay with several cabins, daily trail rides, meals and farm activities for guests.

  • A$400k-1800k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

About these ideas

Start by deciding how much capital and risk you can carry. A leased holiday apartment in a visitor area or a pop-up piano bar night costs far less to test than a fixed venue or a boutique retreat centre on your own land. Then think about location, opening hours and the licences, council approvals and food or alcohol rules that may apply where you plan to operate. Check these early, because they often shape cost and timing more than the concept itself.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need a licence to start a hospitality business in Australia?

Often yes, but it depends on your state or territory, council and the type of venue. Check liquor licensing, food business registration, planning approval and any accommodation rules with your local authorities before you commit money to a lease or fit-out.

How much money do I need to start a hospitality business?

It varies widely. A pop-up bar or event-based idea may need far less than buying a pub, motel or lounge bar. Work out set-up costs, deposits, stock, insurance and several months of running costs, and compare them with your available funds.

Should I buy an existing venue or start from scratch?

Taking over an existing venue can bring a customer base and existing approvals, but check the books, lease terms and whether licences transfer. Starting fresh gives more control but usually means more set-up work. Get an accountant and solicitor to review either option.