Sports and Fitness Business Ideas You Can Start in Australia

214 ideas

This page collects 221 sports and fitness business ideas for people who want to turn a love of movement, coaching or the outdoors into income. Some are low-cost and flexible, like a part-time jiu-jitsu class in a hired hall or a mobile kayak and paddleboard hire service.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
Students and an instructor practising kung fu forms in a training hall.

Kung fu classes in a hired hall

Teach kung fu to kids and adults in a hired community hall a few evenings a week.

  • A$800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
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
An instructor guides a child riding a pony during a lesson in an arena.

Freelance riding instructor

Teach riding lessons at local agistment properties and arenas, using students' own horses or hired school horses.

  • A$1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
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
Group of people doing toning exercises in a bright studio class.

Body shaping classes in a hired hall

Run weekly toning and shaping classes in a community hall or studio you hire by the hour.

  • A$800-3.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Group of people doing toning exercises in a bright studio class.

Outdoor body shaping in the park

Lead toning and shaping sessions in a local park with bands and light kit, with very low overheads.

  • A$500-2k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Group of people doing toning exercises in a bright studio class.

Online body shaping classes

Teach live toning and shaping classes over video from home to members anywhere in Australia.

  • A$300-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
Customer trying on running shoes while an assistant checks the fit in a store.

Independent running shop with gait advice

Open a small shop selling running shoes and gear, with friendly fitting advice for local runners.

  • A$60k-200k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Customer trying on running shoes while an assistant checks the fit in a store.

Online running store with pop-up fittings

Sell running shoes and gear online and offer fitting sessions at run clubs and events.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
Group of skiers with instructor gathered on a snowy mountain slope.

Social ski and snowboard trip club

Run a membership club that organises group snow trips, discounted passes and social nights for people in your city.

  • A$500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Group of skiers with instructor gathered on a snowy mountain slope.

Family and junior ski club with coached weekends

Run a membership club for families and kids with organised snow days, coaching from accredited instructors and social events.

  • A$2k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Players in protective gear running through an outdoor paintball arena with obstacles.

Weekend paintball site on leased land

Run a paintball field on leased bushland or farm land, with all gear supplied, for groups, parties and corporate days.

  • A$25k-80k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Fencers in white kit practising bouts with foils in a training hall.

Fencing club in a hired hall

Run weekly fencing classes for kids and adults in a hired community or school hall.

  • A$2k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Customer renting bicycles and sports gear at a rental counter.

Mobile sports gear hire

Deliver and collect bikes, paddleboards or beach gear for holidaymakers, groups and events.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Customer renting bicycles and sports gear at a rental counter.

Sports gear hire shop or beach hut

Rent equipment by the hour or day from a small shopfront or kiosk near a beach, park or trail.

  • A$15k-70k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Coach guiding a student lining up a shot on a snooker table.

Private pool and snooker coach

Teach cue skills one-on-one at local clubs and pubs, paid per lesson.

  • A$300-2k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Coach guiding a student lining up a shot on a snooker table.

Cue sports school with its own tables

Run a small training room with tables for lessons, junior programs and group courses.

  • A$10k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Recurve bows and arrows displayed for sale in a specialist archery shop.

Archery shop with in-store tuning

Sell bows, arrows and accessories from a small shop, with bow setup and tuning for local archers.

  • A$25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Recurve bows and arrows displayed for sale in a specialist archery shop.

Online archery gear store with home workshop

Sell archery accessories online and offer bow tuning from a home workshop, with no shopfront.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Club athletes training on a running track with a coach.

Adult running and track training club

Coach a paid membership group for runners and track athletes, with weekly sessions at a local oval or track.

  • A$600-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Club athletes training on a running track with a coach.

Kids' athletics training club

Run term-based athletics sessions for children after school or on weekends, building running, jumping and throwing skills.

  • A$1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Climbing instructor guiding a student up a rock climbing wall.

Outdoor rock climbing instructor

Teach beginners and improvers to climb on real rock, in small groups or one-on-one.

  • A$5k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Climbing instructor guiding a student up a rock climbing wall.

Indoor climbing coach and skills courses

Coach kids and adults in climbing technique at indoor gyms, using hired space.

  • A$500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Instructor teaching students climbing and mountain skills on a rocky slope.

Outdoor climbing and mountain skills courses

Run small-group courses on real rock and alpine terrain, teaching safe climbing, rope and navigation skills.

  • A$3k-9k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about

About these ideas

Others need more space, equipment or insurance, such as an indoor laser tag arena or a water ski club with your own tow boat. Start by asking what you can realistically deliver: your qualifications, your fitness, and the hours you can commit. Then think about where your customers are, whether you need a venue, and what safety and insurance requirements might apply. Use the ideas below to compare setup effort before you narrow your shortlist.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need qualifications to start a sports or fitness business in Australia?

It depends on the activity. Coaching, instruction and fitness training often work better with recognised accreditation, and insurers or venues may ask for it. Check the requirements for your sport, any first aid and working with children expectations, and what your insurer wants.

What insurance should I look into before I start?

Most sports and fitness businesses should look at public liability cover, and possibly professional indemnity, equipment cover and cover for participants. Activities involving water, horses, boats or heights may be treated as higher risk, so ask insurers early what they require.

Can I run a sports business from a hired venue or outdoors?

Often yes, and it can keep costs down. Check hire terms, council or land manager permissions for parks, beaches and waterways, and any local rules on noise, parking or commercial use. Also have a wet-weather or backup plan for outdoor sessions.