Manufacturing business ideas with a startup cost over $20,000
119 ideas
These 121 manufacturing ideas need more than $20,000 to get going, usually because of machinery, tooling, materials or a workshop fit-out. They suit people with a trade background, savings or equipment finance, and the patience to build up orders.
Small roof truss workshop
Make timber roof trusses to order for local builders, joiners and roofers from a rented industrial unit.
- A$120k-300k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small machine shop for custom parts
Turn metal and plastic into one-off and short-run parts on lathes and mills for local businesses.
- A$25k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Home workshop machining for repairs and prototypes
Use a small bench lathe and mill in your shed to make repair parts and prototypes on the side.
- A$6k-30k
- Side hustle
- From home
Custom metal fabrication workshop
Make and repair gates, brackets and fittings for homes, farms and small businesses from a small rented unit.
- A$8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile food machinery service and repair
Service, repair and install commercial food machines at customers' sites, and supply parts and refurbished units.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Prototype and product model workshop
Turn inventors' and product designers' sketches into prototypes and display models from a small workshop unit.
- A$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Marble slab and tile yard with showroom
Hold marble slabs and tiles in a small unit or yard so tradies and homeowners can see and buy stock.
- A$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small-batch precision machining workshop
Machine accurate metal and plastic parts to customer drawings for local manufacturers and engineers.
- A$40k-200k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Prototype and one-off parts machinist
Use a compact lathe or mill in a garage or shed to make prototypes and repair parts on the side.
- A$8k-40k
- Side hustle
- From home
Local bearing and industrial parts counter
Open a small trade counter stocking bearings, seals and belts for nearby garages, farms and factories, with same-day pick-up.
- A$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Spirit brand made at an existing distillery
Create your own gin or spirit recipe, make it at a host distillery and sell it without building your own plant.
- A$15k-60k
- Side hustle
- From home
Forged knife maker with a workshop unit
Rent a small industrial unit, forge and grind knives for chefs and outdoor users, and sell direct and to local shops.
- A$10k-40k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Watch and clock repair workshop
Run a small shopfront for walk-in battery changes, repairs and restorations of watches and clocks.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small-batch instrument workshop
Rent a small unit and make a range of instruments in batches for music shops and online buyers.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Precision tool and die workshop
Make custom moulds, dies and jigs for local manufacturers from a small rented industrial unit.
- A$80k-250k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Tooling repair and fixture toolroom
Repair, sharpen and modify moulds and dies, and make jigs, from a small shared unit with second-hand machines.
- A$25k-90k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Barrel yard selling new and reconditioned barrels
Run a small yard stocking new and used barrels, with basic checking and reconditioning, for wineries and distillers.
- A$20k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Metal kitchen and home range for shops and trade buyers
Rent a small workshop unit and produce a repeatable range of metalware for retailers, cafes and trade buyers.
- A$10k-45k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Memorial and architectural stone carving studio
Rent a small unit and carve memorials, lettering and architectural stonework on commission.
- A$10k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile food machine service and repair
Install, service and repair mixers, slicers and packing machines at food producers' sites, and sell spare parts.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Custom watch workshop
Build made-to-order and limited-edition watches in a small studio for collectors and retail buyers.
- A$12k-35k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Local walk-in print and copy shop
Run a small shopfront offering fast printing, copying, posters and signage for locals and businesses.
- A$20k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Leather studio for custom and wholesale orders
Run a small workshop making bags and belts to order for customers and local shops.
- A$5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Powder coating workshop
Coat metal parts, wheels and fabricated items in a small unit with your own oven and spray booth.
- A$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
About these ideas
Options range from a small CNC workshop for machinery parts to a sticker and label print workshop or a cosmetics maker supplying salons and retailers. Before you commit, think about where the work will happen: a home shed, a leased unit or a shared space. Check zoning, power supply, noise and insurance early. Then confirm you have a few likely customers, because a machine bought without orders can be a heavy cost to carry. Work out how much stock and working capital you need on top of the equipment.
More ideas
- Small-batch powder coating from a shed
- Trade cotton supplier for makers and labels
- Gate and railing workshop
- Small CNC workshop for machinery parts
- One-off replacement parts from a home shed
- Turned parts for furniture makers
- Small-batch sewing for local brands
- Furniture maker supplying designers and businesses
- Machining workshop for local repairs and parts
- Home shed machining and repair jobs
- Small clothing production studio
- Metalworking machinery and tooling shop
- Engine machining workshop
- Cylinder head reconditioning specialist
- Small commercial print shop
- Mobile fastener supply van for tradies
- Fastener trade counter in a small unit
- Fabrication workshop in a small unit
- Mobile measuring tools supplier
- Prototyping and small-batch 3D printing workshop
- Local copper trade counter supplier
- Small sail loft: custom sails and repairs
- Craft beer label brewed at a host brewery
- Small-batch craft distillery
- Local trade supplier to moulding factories
- Clothing exporter with a small stockroom
- Bespoke machine builder with a small workshop
- Small toolroom making jigs, fixtures and tooling
- Home shed toolroom for jigs and repairs
- Custom branded souvenirs for events and tourism
- Hand-blown drinking glasses studio
- Plastic products wholesaler with a small warehouse
- Custom covers and upholstery workshop
- Water jet cutting workshop for local manufacturers
- Compact water jet service for makers and designers
- Small-batch powder coating workshop
- Trade uPVC window supplier with a small showroom
- Wide-format lamination and finishing shop
- Lingerie production unit for local labels
- Embossing and foil finishing workshop
- Local plastic products stockist with a small unit
- Stocked industrial blade supplier from a small unit
- Custom spring maker in a small workshop unit
- Natural stone exporter with a small stock yard
- Small custom boat builder
- Small steel fabrication workshop
- Mobile welding and repair fabricator
- Custom trailer builder (small workshop)
- Trade leather wholesaler with a small unit
- Screen printing workshop for businesses and merch
- Local aluminium trade counter
- Home-based natural stone trader
- Natural stone wholesale yard
- Small-unit machining job shop
- Home-shed machining for repairs and one-offs
- Flocking and garment decorating workshop
- Foam cut-to-size supply from a small unit
- Mobile industrial tools and parts supplier
- Laser cutting workshop for businesses
- Custom light fittings workshop
- Exhibition stand builder with a small workshop
- Local metal supplies yard with cut-to-size service
- Piano restoration workshop
- Metalworking workshop for trade and private jobs
- Small toolroom making production moulds
- Mobile industrial tools sales and supply
- Industrial vacuum sales and service workshop
- Furniture workshop supplying designers and retailers
- Local polythene sheeting trade supplier
- Small unit label printing business
- Small-batch toy maker with a workshop unit
- Tableware potter for cafes and shops
- Local material handling supplier with a small yard
- Furnace parts stockist with a small unit
- Cosmetics maker supplying salons and retailers
- Small-batch activewear studio
- Custom coffin maker with a small workshop
- Mobile rubber parts supplier to trade customers
- Trophy, plaque and jewellery engraving shop
- Aluminium window workshop, made to order
- Aluminium windows from supplier-cut kits
- Mobile hydraulic hose and parts supplier
- Hydraulic parts trade counter
- Leather exporter with a small stock unit
- Stone yard and showroom
- Gasket cutting workshop
- Local steel yard for fabricators and builders
- New and custom pallet maker
- Aluminium window and door frame workshop
- Small digital print shop
- Custom plastic fabrication workshop
- Custom fireplace surround workshop
- Sticker and label print workshop
- Knitwear production unit for brands and retailers
- Metal polishing workshop
Questions
What should I check before buying expensive manufacturing equipment?
Check whether you have likely customers first, then compare new and second-hand machines, servicing costs, power and space needs, and training. Ask suppliers about leasing or finance, and work out how many jobs you would need to cover repayments.
Can I run a manufacturing business from home in Australia?
Sometimes, but it depends on your local council's rules, zoning, and the noise, fumes or deliveries involved. Check with your council before buying equipment, and ask your insurer whether home-based production and stock are covered.
Do I need licences or approvals to make products for sale?
It depends on what you make. Cosmetics, boats, windows and machinery parts may each have safety, labelling or standards requirements. Check with the relevant regulator, your council and your insurer, and consider asking an industry association or adviser.