Manufacturing business ideas you run from your own premises
103 ideas
These 105 manufacturing ideas all need a dedicated space of your own, whether that's a workshop, an industrial unit or a yard. They suit people with a trade, machine or production background, or those ready to hire skilled staff.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Trade cotton supplier for makers and labels
Stock cotton fabric and yarn in a small unit and supply garment makers, designers and craft businesses in bulk.
- A$12k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Gate and railing workshop
Make and install gates, railings and balustrades for builders and homeowners from a small rented workshop.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small CNC workshop for machinery parts
Rent a small industrial unit and make replacement and custom parts for local factories, farms and mines.
- A$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Turned parts for furniture makers
Make table legs, spindles, balusters and replacement parts to order for cabinet makers and restorers.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small-batch sewing for local brands
Sew short runs of garments and soft goods for emerging labels and designers from a small studio or unit.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
About these ideas
Ideas range from a precision tool and die workshop or a small-unit machining job shop to a custom trailer builder or a local walk-in print and copy shop. Before anything else, think about the premises. Check zoning, lease terms, power supply, noise, storage and access for deliveries. Then work out which equipment you really need on day one, whether you can buy it second-hand, and who your first few repeat customers will be.
More ideas
- Furniture maker supplying designers and businesses
- Machining workshop for local repairs and parts
- Small clothing production studio
- Willow basket workshop for shops and commissions
- Metalworking machinery and tooling shop
- Engine machining workshop
- Cylinder head reconditioning specialist
- Small commercial print shop
- Fastener trade counter in a small unit
- Fabrication workshop in a small unit
- Prototyping and small-batch 3D printing workshop
- Local copper trade counter supplier
- Small sail loft: custom sails and repairs
- Small-batch craft distillery
- Handmade leather goods for shops
- Clothing exporter with a small stockroom
- Bespoke machine builder with a small workshop
- Small toolroom making jigs, fixtures and tooling
- 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
- Custom trailer builder (small workshop)
- Trade leather wholesaler with a small unit
- Screen printing workshop for businesses and merch
- Local aluminium trade counter
- Natural stone wholesale yard
- Small-unit machining job shop
- Custom branded stationery for businesses
- Flocking and garment decorating workshop
- Foam cut-to-size supply from a small unit
- 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
- 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
- Trophy, plaque and jewellery engraving shop
- Aluminium window workshop, made to order
- Aluminium windows from supplier-cut kits
- 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
- Reconditioned pallet supplier
- 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 leasing a workshop or unit in Australia?
Check that council zoning allows your type of manufacturing, and look at lease length, rent reviews, make-good clauses and insurance requirements. Also confirm three-phase power, ventilation, loading access and any noise or hours restrictions before you sign anything.
Do I need licences or permits to start a manufacturing business?
It depends on what you make and where you operate. Things to check include council approvals, workplace health and safety duties, environmental rules for waste or fumes, and any product standards. Your local council and state regulator are good starting points.
How much equipment should I buy when starting out?
Start with the machines your first products or services truly depend on, and consider second-hand or leased equipment to limit upfront cost. Get quotes, check servicing and parts availability, and test demand with a few customers before expanding your line-up.