Retail business ideas you can start from home in Australia

98 ideas

These 98 retail ideas let you sell from a spare room, garage or laptop rather than a shopfront. They suit people who want to test a product with modest outlay, work around family or another job, and grow only if demand is there.

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1k to 5k 5k to 20k Over 20k Out and about Own premises Online

Jeweller at a shop counter showing rings and watches to a customer.

Home-based online jeweller

Sell jewellery online and at markets, with custom orders, repairs and engraving by appointment from home.

A$2k-10k
Side hustle
From home

A shop assistant weighs gold jewellery on digital scales at a counter.

Online mail-in gold buyer

Buy gold and silver by post: customers send items, you test, weigh, offer and pay by bank transfer.

A$3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

Large rolls of fabric stacked in a wholesale warehouse.

Online niche fabric wholesaler from home

Stock a focused range of fabrics at home and sell by the roll or bolt to small makers and boutique labels online.

A$3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

A tailor pinning and adjusting a garment on a mannequin in a workshop.

Home clothing alterations and repairs

Hem, taper and mend clothes for locals from a sewing space at home, by appointment.

A$800-4k
Side hustle
From home

Alterations for bridal and clothing shops

Take on alterations for local bridal, suit and fashion shops that need a reliable seamstress.

A$1.5k-6k
Part-time
From home

Customers browsing vinyl records and CDs in an independent record shop.

Online record seller with market stalls

Buy, grade and sell second-hand vinyl online and at weekend markets, with no shop rent.

A$1k-5k
Side hustle
From home

Stacks of fabric lampshades arranged on shelves in a supplier's warehouse.

Home-based lampshade wholesaler

Source lampshades from overseas or local makers and sell them in bulk to lighting shops and retailers from home.

A$5k-20k
Side hustle
From home

Buyer examining gold and diamond jewellery with a loupe at a counter.

Appointment-only gold and diamond buyer

Buy unwanted gold, diamonds and jewellery by appointment or post, then sell on to dealers or refiners.

A$3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

Wedding dresses on racks and a bride being fitted in a bridal boutique.

Home-based bridal boutique

Sell and fit wedding dresses from a spare room at home, by appointment, with low overheads.

A$3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

Customers viewing displayed products in a bright modern showroom.

By-appointment showroom at home

Show furniture, lighting or homewares in a spare room or garage studio, and book customers in to view.

A$3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

Tailcoats and evening gowns displayed on a rack in a formal wear rental shop.

Formal dress hire from home

Hire out gowns and formal wear by appointment from a spare room, for school formals, balls and weddings.

A$3k-12k
Side hustle
From home

Lizards and snakes in glass terrariums displayed in a specialist reptile shop.

Online reptile supplies store

Sell enclosures, heating, décor and feeder supplies to reptile keepers online and at reptile expos, from home.

A$3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

A parent and child choosing picture books from shelves in a bright bookshop.

Online children's bookshop with school book fairs

Sell curated children's books online and run pop-up book fairs at schools and markets from home.

A$3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

Stacks of suitcases and travel bags packed in a wholesale warehouse.

Luggage wholesaler to local shops

Buy suitcases and bags in bulk from makers and supply gift shops, travel stores and small retailers.

A$5k-25k
Part-time
From home

Postage stamps and collecting albums laid out on a shop counter.

Online stamp and philatelic dealer

Sell collectable stamps, albums and supplies to hobbyists through online marketplaces and your own site.

A$500-5k
Side hustle
From home

Bags of chicken feed and poultry equipment on shelves in a rural farm supply shop.

Home-based poultry feed and equipment supplier

Sell feed, coops and gear (and birds where allowed) from your property, at local markets or by local delivery.

A$3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

Hands arranging dried flowers in vases inside a bright, tidy flower shop.

Online dried flower studio

Make dried flower bouquets and arrangements at home and sell them online to gift buyers and home decorators.

A$500-3k
Side hustle
From home

Pallets of bricks, blocks and stone stacked in a builders merchant yard.

Delivery-only masonry supplier

Sell bricks, pavers, blocks and cement by phone and online, with supplier-direct delivery and no shopfront.

A$3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

Small wedding favour boxes and keepsakes arranged on a table.

Home-based custom favour maker

Make and personalise wedding favours at home, selling through your website, markets and local wedding suppliers.

A$800-4k
Side hustle
From home

Bonsai trees displayed on benches in a nursery greenhouse.

Backyard bonsai grower selling online and at markets

Grow and shape bonsai trees at home and sell them to hobbyists and gift buyers online and at local markets.

A$500-3k
Side hustle
From home

Installer fitting rows of commercial seating in a public venue.

Commercial seating reseller (home-based)

Source chairs and booth seating for cafes, offices and clubs, then manage delivery through suppliers and installers.

A$1.5k-6k
Part-time
From home

Courier carrying a wrapped flower bouquet to a front door.

Home-based online flower delivery

Take bouquet orders online, make them at home and deliver them locally in your own car.

A$1k-5k
Side hustle
From home

Florist arranging colourful cut flowers into a bouquet at a shop counter.

Home-based florist with local delivery

Make bouquets and gift arrangements at home, sell them online and deliver locally.

A$800-4k
Side hustle
From home

Rows of cleaning product bottles and drums stacked in a chemical distribution warehouse.

Online cleaning products shop

Sell household cleaning products to local households online and post or deliver them from home.

A$1.5k-6k
Side hustle
From home

About these ideas

Some are online stores, such as an online reptile supplies store or an online refurbished computer seller. Others serve local trade customers, like a home studio picture framer. Before choosing, think about storage space, how much stock you'd need to hold, and whether you can source products reliably at a price that leaves a margin. Also check whether your council allows business activity at your address, and whether you'd need insurance or an ABN.

More ideas

Questions

How much space do I need for a home-based retail business?

It depends on the stock. Dropshipping or low-stock models need little room, while furniture or equipment resellers need a garage or shed. Check what your lease, strata rules or council require before storing inventory at home.

Do I need approval to run a retail business from home in Australia?

Often it depends on your local council's zoning and home business rules, and on whether customers visit or deliveries are frequent. Check with your council, and also look at strata or rental agreement restrictions.

What should I check before selling products online from home?

Check whether you need an ABN, whether GST registration applies to your turnover, and which consumer law obligations cover refunds and product safety. Also confirm supplier reliability and shipping costs so your margins hold up.