Trades business ideas with a startup cost over $20,000

222 ideas

These 222 trades ideas suit people who already have a trade or site experience and are ready to put real money into vehicles, equipment or a workshop. Higher budgets open up options like a custom staircase workshop, a mobile abrasive blasting service or a small custom home builder, where tools and capacity set you apart from smaller operators.

Swipe through these ideas →

5k to 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
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
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
A craftsperson repairing a leather bag at a workbench with tools.

Leather repair shop

Open a small shopfront repairing leather bags, shoes and jackets for walk-in customers.

  • A$12k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Workers assembling a new play structure in a school playground.

Playground supply and install crew

Supply and fit play equipment and soft-fall surfacing for schools, councils and nurseries with your own small crew.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
Workers laying block paving on a new driveway outside a house.

Patio and driveway paving

Lay pavers and concrete patios, paths and driveways for homeowners in your area.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Car park and commercial paving crew

Run a small crew laying asphalt and concrete for car parks, driveways and businesses.

  • A$80k-400k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
A craftsman shaping a copper vessel with hammer and anvil in a workshop.

Custom copper fabrication and repair workshop

Make and repair copper vessels, cookware and fittings for breweries, venues and homeowners from a small workshop.

  • A$8k-40k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Joiner fitting a wooden door into its frame in a workshop.

Door showroom and trade counter

Open a small showroom and stockroom selling doors, frames and hardware to builders, joiners and homeowners.

  • A$40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Bins of bolts, screws and nails stacked in a supplier warehouse.

Mobile fastener supplier to tradies

Stock a ute or van with screws, bolts and anchors and restock local builders and tradies on site.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
A technician repairing a wheelchair wheel on a workbench in a workshop.

Mobile wheelchair and mobility aid repairs

Drive to homes and care facilities to fix and service wheelchairs, scooters and walkers on the spot.

  • A$6k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
A cabinetmaker shaping wood on a workbench to build a fitted furniture unit.

Fitted cabinetry maker with a workshop

Make and install kitchens, wardrobes and built-ins for homeowners, builders and renovators.

  • A$20k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Coils of rubber hoses and brass fittings are stacked in a supplier's warehouse.

Mobile hose and fittings van

Drive to farms, workshops and worksites with hose stock, and make or replace hoses on the spot.

  • A$25k-80k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Hose and fittings trade counter

Run a small unit selling hose and fittings over the counter and making up hoses for local trades and farms.

  • A$40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Demolition excavator breaking down a building on a cleared urban site.

Residential demolition and site clearing

Take down houses, garages, sheds and pools for homeowners and builders, then clear the site.

  • A$30k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about

Strip-out and soft demolition

Remove old kitchens, walls, ceilings and fit-outs by hand for renovators and shop owners.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Electrician installing wiring in a fuse box inside a home.

Residential electrician for local homes

Install lighting, power points and switchboard upgrades for homeowners and landlords in your area.

  • A$6k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
A building contractor supervising workers on a house renovation site.

Home renovation and extension contractor

Manage kitchen, bathroom and extension projects for homeowners, coordinating the subbies and trades on site.

  • A$6k-30k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
Diver in helmet inspecting a submerged structure underwater.

Underwater inspection and repair contractor

Inspect, clean and repair jetties, moorings and pipes underwater for marinas, councils and water operators.

  • A$25k-120k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about

Hull cleaning and boat dive services

Clean hulls and propellers, and check anodes and moorings for boat owners and marinas, working from a ute or small boat.

  • A$10k-45k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
A builder assembling a wooden pergola over a patio in a back garden.

Solo carport and pergola builder

Build timber or steel carports and pergolas for homeowners, working on your own or with one helper.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Stacked vehicle and industrial batteries in a wholesale warehouse.

Battery trade supply round by van

Buy batteries in bulk and deliver them to local garages, tradies and shops on a regular round.

  • A$8k-40k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Shelves of paint tins and varnish cans in a trade supply warehouse.

Mobile paint and finishing supplies van

Stock a van with paints, stains and sundries and deliver to painters and joiners on site.

  • A$8k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Trade counter for paints and finishes

Open a small trade-focused shop or unit selling paints, varnishes and finishing products to local tradies.

  • A$40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Tradesperson fitting a new bath and tiles in a bathroom renovation.

Bathroom renovator for homeowners

Strip out and refit bathrooms for homeowners, managing tiling, fittings and trades from quote to handover.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about

About these ideas

Before you commit, work out what you will need to buy outright and what you could lease. Check which licences, registrations and insurance your state or territory requires for the work. Also think about how you will win your first jobs, since expensive equipment sitting idle is the biggest risk. Compare ideas by how much steady work exists locally.

More ideas

Questions

What licences might I need to start a trades business in Australia?

Requirements vary by trade and by state or territory. Check with your local licensing body about trade licences, contractor or builder registration, and any permits for specialised work such as abrasive blasting. Confirm the rules before buying equipment or quoting for jobs.

Should I buy or lease equipment for a higher-cost trades business?

Compare the upfront cost against how often you will use the equipment. Leasing or financing can protect your cash early on, while buying may suit core tools you use daily. Check the terms, interest and tax treatment with an accountant before deciding.

What insurance should I look into before starting?

Ask a broker about public liability, tools and equipment cover, vehicle insurance and workers compensation if you hire staff. Some trades and clients also expect professional indemnity or contract works cover. Check what your licence and customer contracts require.