Transport Business Ideas You Can Start in Australia
99 ideas
This page collects 99 transport and travel business ideas for people who want to move people, vehicles or luggage, or help others do it. Some are very hands-on, like home workshop bike repairs, minibus charter with driver or small boat and tinnie hire.
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
Local delivery runs for businesses
Collect goods from suppliers and deliver them to local shops, offices and homes on regular runs.
- A$1.5k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Weekend delivery for local food and craft makers
Deliver orders for small local producers to customers' doors on set days, using your own car.
- A$300-2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local courier and same-day delivery runs
Collect and deliver parcels, documents and orders for local businesses in your own car or van.
- A$500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Delivery partner for local food and retail shops
Offer local cafes, grocers and shops their own delivery service so they don't need to hire drivers.
- A$800-4k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Refrigerated van delivery for local food businesses
Run a temperature-controlled van delivering chilled and frozen goods for cafes, caterers and producers.
- A$25k-80k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Refrigerated truck runs for wholesalers and producers
Operate a refrigerated truck on regular pallet runs between farms, markets, wholesalers and stores.
- A$60k-250k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Used boat reseller (home-based)
Buy small used boats and trailers, tidy them up and resell them online without a showroom.
- A$12k-60k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small boat dealership with yard
Run a small yard selling new and used boats, with servicing and finance options for buyers.
- A$150k-500k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small local car hire fleet
Rent out one to three well-kept cars by the day, with bookings handled online and keys handed over near home.
- A$20k-80k
- Side hustle
- From home
Ute and van hire from a small yard
Hire utes and vans by the day to movers, tradies and DIYers from a small yard or unit with a simple counter.
- A$200k-500k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Weekly car rental for rideshare drivers
Rent a few suitable cars by the week to drivers who want to work rideshare or delivery without owning a car.
- A$20k-100k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile bike mechanic
Fix and service bikes at people's homes and workplaces from a van or ute.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home workshop bike repairs
Run a small bike repair workshop from your garage, with drop-off and pick-up.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Bike repair shopfront
Open a small workshop with a shopfront for walk-in repairs, servicing and parts.
- A$15k-70k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bike hire delivered to holiday stays
Deliver and collect bikes at holiday rentals, caravan parks and hotels with a ute or trailer.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Bike hire shop near trails and waterfront
Rent bikes by the hour or day from a small shop or kiosk near a popular path, beach or town centre.
- A$10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Campervan hire from home, listed online
Buy one or two campervans and hire them to travellers through online hire marketplaces and your own simple booking page.
- A$25k-90k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small independent motorhome hire fleet
Run a fleet of motorhomes and campervans from a small depot, taking bookings through your own website and agents.
- A$80k-400k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Guided quad bike rides on rural land
Run guided quad bike rides for holidaymakers and groups on a farm or bush property, with a small fleet and a set riding track.
- A$20k-90k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Quad bike hire at events and holiday parks
Trailer a few quad bikes to holiday parks, farm stays and private events and run supervised rides for guests.
- A$15k-60k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Kayak and paddleboard hire stand
Hire kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to holidaymakers and day visitors from a beach or lake spot.
- A$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small boat and tinnie hire
Hire out tinnies and small motor boats from a jetty or boat ramp base to visitors and anglers.
- A$20k-100k
- Part-time
- Own premises
City and tourist-area cycle rickshaw
Carry visitors and night-out crowds short distances by pedal-powered rickshaw in a busy city or tourist precinct.
- A$4k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Others are lighter on equipment, such as a home-based flight and travel booking agent. Many suit people who already have a licence, a trade or local knowledge. Before you pick one, think about the licences and accreditation the work might need, how your state or territory regulates it, the insurance you would have to carry, and what vehicles or vessels cost to buy, run and store. Also consider seasonality, since tourist-led ideas can be quiet for part of the year.
More ideas
- Pre-booked rickshaw rides for events and tours
- Mobile boat repair and servicing
- Boat repair workshop
- Small truck local freight carrier
- Owner-driver truck on contract to a carrier
- Storage and pick-and-pack for online sellers
- Online boat cover shop
- Custom boat cover maker
- Airport and corporate chauffeur driver
- Man and van removals
- Household removals with a truck and crew
- Owner-operator taxi driver
- Wheelchair-accessible taxi
- Home-based flight and travel booking agent
- Local travel agency shopfront
- Local bike shop with servicing
- Mobile bike repair and sales
- Used and refurbished bike seller
- One-on-one motorcycle rider coaching
- Motorcycle licence training school
- Heavy vehicle driving school with your own truck
- Heavy vehicle licence test-prep coaching
- Caravan and motorhome storage on your land
- Secure caravan and motorhome storage yard
- Scooter hire stand near a tourist spot
- Scooter hire delivered to holiday stays
- Small-group minibus day tours
- Group day trips using hired coaches
- Small-fleet motorcycle hire from a small base
- Micro-fleet motorcycle hire (2 to 3 bikes)
- Small trailer hire from home
- Trailer hire yard with a mixed fleet
- Local van hire with a small fleet
- Starter van hire with one or two vans
- Small pay-by-the-hour car park
- Event-day car park
- Upright piano mover (part-time)
- Specialist piano removal team
- Used horse trailer trader from home
- Horse trailer dealership with a small yard
- Mobile horse float servicing and repairs
- Used horse float sales and refurbishing
- Wheelchair-accessible van transport
- Door-to-door rides for less mobile people
- Domestic freight booking service for small businesses
- Import and export shipping agent for small traders
- Home-based freight and delivery coordinator
- Local storage, pick-and-pack and dispatch service
- Van courier for local businesses
- Bike courier for city deliveries
- Minibus airport and group transfers
- Weekend minibus hire for events and groups
- Pre-booked private airport transfers
- Shared airport shuttle van service
- Home-based vehicle transport broker
- Vehicle shipping agent for dealers and importers
- Home-based freight forwarder for small importers
- Small freight forwarding office with a niche
- Minibus charter with driver
- Owner-operator full-size coach hire
- Weekend estuary and bay fishing charters
- Full-time offshore and reef fishing charter
- Airport and corporate transfer driver
- Wedding and event chauffeur
- Secure outdoor boat and trailer storage yard
- Covered boat storage shed with racking
- Luggage storage shop near a station or tourist area
- Event and venue valet parking
- Hotel and restaurant valet contract
- Contract school bus route operator
- Private school-run minibus
- Online coach and bus ticket agent
- Local courier and delivery van
- Airport transfers and private hire driver
- Ute pick-up and delivery on demand
Questions
Do I need a special licence to start a transport business in Australia?
Often, yes. Passenger transport, taxis, charters and boat hire can need driver accreditation, vehicle or vessel approvals and operator licences. Rules differ between states and territories, so check with your local transport authority before you spend money.
What insurance should I look into for a transport business?
Check what cover your work might need, such as public liability, commercial vehicle or marine insurance, and passenger cover. Ask an insurer or broker whether your planned activity is covered, because standard personal policies often exclude paid work.
How can I test a transport idea before buying expensive vehicles?
Start with lower-cost options, like bike repairs from home or booking services, or hire or lease equipment first. Speak to local customers, check council or permit requirements for your location, and work out your running costs before committing.