Trade business ideas you can start for under $20,000

128 ideas

These 129 trade business ideas suit people with practical skills, or the means to hire them, who want to start without taking on heavy debt. Some are hands-on services, such as bathroom and renovation tiler, stair installer for builders or mobile air compressor repair and servicing.

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Over 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
Engineer fitting a wall-mounted air conditioning unit in a room.

Subcontract air conditioning installer

Fit units as a sole trader for bigger installers and builders, with no need to find your own customers.

  • A$5k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
A craftsperson repairing a leather bag at a workbench with tools.

Home leather repair workshop

Fix bags, jackets and shoes from a home workshop, with customers dropping off or posting items.

  • A$1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Workers assembling a new play structure in a school playground.

Playground equipment reseller (subcontracted install)

Quote and sell play equipment to schools, councils and nurseries, and hire a local crew to install it.

  • A$2k-10k
  • Part-time
  • From home
A craftsman shaping a copper vessel with hammer and anvil in a workshop.

Home copper studio: homewares and repairs

Hand-make copper homewares and repair cookware and garden pieces from a garage or shed.

  • A$1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Joiner fitting a wooden door into its frame in a workshop.

Home-based door and hardware supplier

Quote and order-in doors, frames and hardware for local builders and renovators, with no shopfront needed.

  • A$2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Bins of bolts, screws and nails stacked in a supplier warehouse.

Online bulk fastener shop

Sell screws, bolts and anchors in bulk boxes online to tradies, makers and small manufacturers.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
A technician repairing a wheelchair wheel on a workbench in a workshop.

Home workshop wheelchair repairs

Repair and service wheelchairs and mobility aids from a garage or small workshop, with drop-off and pick-up.

  • A$2.5k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Coils of rubber hoses and brass fittings are stacked in a supplier's warehouse.

Online hose and fittings reseller

Sell hoses, clamps and fittings online to farms and tradies from home, posted from a small stock room.

  • A$3k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Electrician installing wiring in a fuse box inside a home.

Electrical subcontractor for builders

Wire new builds and renovations as the go-to sparky for local builders and renovators.

  • A$5k-20k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
A building contractor supervising workers on a house renovation site.

Small works builder: decks, pergolas and refits

Take on smaller building jobs like decks, pergolas and bathroom refits, doing much of the work yourself with a few subbies.

  • A$4k-18k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
A builder assembling a wooden pergola over a patio in a back garden.

Carport and pergola kit installer

Install ready-made carport and pergola kits for homeowners, with less design work and lower setup costs.

  • A$2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Locksmith fitting a new lock on a residential front door.

Mobile locksmith

Drive to homes and businesses to open locked doors, change locks and fit security hardware.

  • A$4k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Rental property rekeying and lock upgrades

Rekey and upgrade locks between tenancies for agents and landlords, on planned scheduled jobs.

  • A$3k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Shelves of paint tins and varnish cans in a trade supply warehouse.

Online specialist finishing products shop

Sell a focused range of oils, stains, varnishes and finishing products online to trades and woodworkers.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
Tradesperson fitting a new bath and tiles in a bathroom renovation.

Bathroom fit-out subcontractor

Do the tiling, fit-off and finishing on bathroom jobs for builders, plumbers and renovation companies.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Construction workers and tradespeople working together on a building site.

Small building works contractor

Take on smaller jobs like decks, repairs and fit-outs, bringing in subbies only when needed.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Engineer fitting an air conditioning and ventilation unit on a commercial building wall.

Heating and ventilation servicing rounds

Service and maintain heaters, air con and ventilation for regular households and small businesses on yearly plans.

  • A$5k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Tradesperson laying flooring planks across a room in a renovated home.

Solo flooring installer for builders and agents

Lay vinyl, laminate or carpet as a sole trader, taking jobs from builders, renovators and property managers.

  • A$3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
A technician repairing piano action and strings inside an open piano.

Mobile piano repair technician

Visit homes, schools and churches to fix sticking keys, broken strings and worn actions.

  • A$3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Rows of red fire extinguishers and fire blankets stocked in a supply warehouse.

Online fire safety supplies shop

Sell extinguishers, fire blankets and signage online to small businesses, landlords and maintenance firms.

  • A$2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
Craftsperson cutting and polishing a gemstone on a lapidary wheel in a workshop.

Home gemstone cutting and polishing studio

Cut and polish gemstones on commission for jewellers, collectors and people with a special stone.

  • A$3k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Electrician mounting a wall-mounted electric vehicle charging point on a house driveway.

Home EV charger installer

Install and service wall-mounted EV chargers at homes, working from your ute as a licensed electrician.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Carpenter fitting timber deck boards into a frame in a garden.

Subcontract decking installer

Install decks for builders and landscapers who find the clients while you handle the framing and boards.

  • A$5k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Builder renovating a kitchen with new cabinets in a house under refurbishment.

Home renovation project manager

Run kitchen, bathroom and small home renovations for homeowners, hiring licensed trades to do the work.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

About these ideas

Others sell to tradies and farmers online, such as online water pump shop with fitting advice. Before you choose, think about what you already know how to do, what tools and a vehicle you would need, and whether you can work from home or need a unit. Check which licences, insurance and registrations apply to your trade and state, because requirements differ. Then compare how quickly each idea could bring in your first paying customer.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need a licence to start a trade business in Australia?

It depends on the trade and your state or territory. Work such as electrical, plumbing and some building jobs is often regulated, while other work may not be. Check with your state licensing body before quoting for any job.

What costs should I plan for beyond tools?

Look at vehicle costs, public liability and tools insurance, software for quoting and invoicing, workwear, materials, and possibly workshop rent. It is also worth checking whether you need a licence, a course or a registration, and what each costs.

Is a product-based trade business easier than a service one?

Not necessarily. Online supply shops avoid some on-site work but may need stock money, storage and returns handling. Service businesses usually need less stock but depend on your time. Compare both against your skills, cash and the hours you can work.