Business Ideas With a Startup Cost Over $20,000 in Australia

1859 ideas

These 1,1859 ideas suit people who have savings, a redundancy payout, a loan or a partner to invest alongside them, and who want a business with real assets behind it. Higher budgets usually pay for premises, vehicles, equipment or stock.

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Students and an instructor practising kung fu forms in a training hall.

Kung fu school with its own studio

Open a dedicated kung fu training space with timetabled classes for all ages.

  • A$10k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Large skip waste container parked beside a house with builders loading rubble.

One-truck skip bin hire service

Deliver and collect skip bins for households and small builders in your area using one bin truck and a small yard.

  • A$150k-300k
  • Full-time
  • Own 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
Heating engineer servicing a boiler in a home utility room.

Mobile heating and boiler repair

Repair and service gas heaters, furnaces and hydronic boilers at homes and small businesses as a licensed mobile tradie.

  • A$8k-35k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
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
A pregnant woman browsing comfortable clothing racks in a maternity clothing shop.

Maternity and nursing boutique shop

Open a small local shop where expectant mums can try on maternity and nursing clothes and get friendly advice.

  • A$25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Group of dogs playing together in a bright indoor daycare room.

Dog day care centre with its own premises

Lease a fenced site or unit and run a daily dog care centre with a small team of staff.

  • A$100k-300k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
A mechanic servicing an outboard boat motor in a workshop beside the water.

Mobile outboard servicing and parts

Service outboards at boat ramps, marinas and driveways, and sell the parts and small engines owners need.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
A mechanic servicing an outboard boat motor in a workshop beside the water.

Outboard motor shop and workshop

Run a small shop and workshop selling, servicing and repairing outboards for local boaters and anglers.

  • A$50k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
An instructor guides a child riding a pony during a lesson in an arena.

Small riding school on your own property

Run lessons for kids and adults from your own or leased land, with a small herd of lesson horses and ponies.

  • A$12k-60k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Engineer fitting a wall-mounted air conditioning unit in a room.

Home air conditioning install and service

Install, service and repair split systems for homeowners, working from a ute or van.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
Wheelchairs and walking frames stocked in a medical equipment supply warehouse.

Local medical equipment hire and delivery

Hire out wheelchairs, walkers and hospital beds for short-term needs, and deliver and set them up locally.

  • A$8k-40k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
A bright teaching kitchen with an instructor guiding students at cooking stations.

Cookery school with its own teaching kitchen

Open a small teaching kitchen with regular courses for home cooks and aspiring professionals.

  • A$60k-200k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Diners eating plant-based dishes at a table in a vegan restaurant.

Small vegan cafe-restaurant

Run a compact eat-in venue serving plant-based lunches and dinners to vegans and curious locals.

  • A$50k-250k
  • Full-time
  • 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
Worker using a high-pressure washer to clean a driveway and exterior wall.

Commercial pressure washing contracts

Clean shopfronts, car parks, footpaths and bin areas for businesses on a regular schedule.

  • A$6k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Mechanic recharging a vehicle air conditioning system with gauges in a garage.

Mobile car air con regas and repair

Drive to homes, workplaces and small fleets to regas, leak test and fix car air conditioning.

  • A$8k-35k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Mechanic recharging a vehicle air conditioning system with gauges in a garage.

Car air conditioning workshop

Run a small workshop that diagnoses, repairs and recharges car air con for drivers, fleets and garages.

  • A$25k-90k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
A large white marquee tent being set up on a grassy lawn for an outdoor event.

Wedding and event marquee hire with setup

Supply, install and pack down larger marquees for weddings, festivals and corporate events with a ute or truck and a small crew.

  • A$80k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
Technician replacing a cracked phone screen at a repair bench.

Screen repair shop with walk-in customers

Open a small shopfront or kiosk repairing phone, tablet and laptop screens for walk-ins and local businesses.

  • A$8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Jeweller at a shop counter showing rings and watches to a customer.

Small jewellery shop with repairs and engraving

Run a local shop selling jewellery, watches and gifts, with repairs and engraving to bring customers back.

  • A$25k-90k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

About these ideas

Examples include a rainwater tank yard and supply shop, a cut-to-size glass and mirror supplier, or a full-time B&B on a small property. Before you fall for an idea, work out how much of your budget is fixed cost such as rent, fit-out and a lease, and how long you could cover those costs with little income. Check council zoning, licensing and insurance early, because these can change the true price. Compare ideas by running costs and how quickly you could recover your outlay, not just by the headline startup figure.

More ideas

Questions

How do I decide if a higher-cost business is worth the investment?

Estimate your fixed monthly costs, a realistic first-year income range, and how long you could carry a shortfall. Speak with an accountant about the numbers, and consider whether any equipment could be resold if the business does not work out.

What licences or approvals might I need for a business like this?

It depends on the business and location. Things to check include council zoning and planning rules, state or territory licences for regulated trades or food and alcohol, vehicle requirements and insurance. Your local council and the relevant state regulator are good starting points.

Should I borrow money or use savings to start?

Both are common. Check the interest rate, repayment terms and any personal guarantees or security a lender would require. It can help to keep a cash buffer for slow months and to get independent financial advice before committing.