Transport business ideas you can start from home
18 ideas
Running a transport business from home doesn't have to mean owning a big fleet. This page lists 18 ideas, from coordination and brokering work that needs little more than a laptop and a phone, to hands-on options like small trailer hire or campervan hire listed online.
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 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
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
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
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
Home-based flight and travel booking agent
Book flights and holiday packages for friends, family and local groups from home, working under an established host agency.
- A$500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Used and refurbished bike seller
Buy, fix up and resell used bikes from home through online listings and local pick-up.
- A$500-4k
- Side hustle
- From home
Caravan and motorhome storage on your land
Turn spare acreage or a large block into a fenced, secure yard where owners park caravans and motorhomes for a monthly fee.
- A$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- From home
Group day trips using hired coaches
Design and sell group day trips, and hire a licensed coach and driver for each one instead of buying a vehicle.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Micro-fleet motorcycle hire (2 to 3 bikes)
Start with a few bikes stored at home and hire them out by booking, with handover at your place or a set meeting point.
- A$12k-50k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small trailer hire from home
Buy a few box and cage trailers, store them at home and hire them out by the day to locals.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Starter van hire with one or two vans
Start small by renting out one or two vans on booking days, with handovers from home or a secure storage spot.
- A$20k-70k
- Side hustle
- From home
Used horse trailer trader from home
Buy tired horse floats, tidy them up and resell them online to riders and small stables.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Domestic freight booking service for small businesses
Book and track pallets and parcels across Australia for small businesses that have no time to compare carriers.
- A$500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based freight and delivery coordinator
Plan and book freight for small businesses using trusted carriers, without owning a truck.
- A$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based vehicle transport broker
Arrange car and bike transport between cities for private owners and buyers, using carriers you vet and book.
- A$500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Vehicle shipping agent for dealers and importers
Handle the transport and paperwork for dealers and buyers moving cars into or around Australia, by road or sea.
- A$2k-10k
- Part-time
- From home
Home-based freight forwarder for small importers
Book shipments, sort paperwork and work with carriers for small businesses that import or export.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
About these ideas
If you have a bit of land, caravan and motorhome storage may suit you. If you prefer working with people and paperwork, a home-based freight and delivery coordinator or vehicle transport broker could be a good fit. Before choosing, think about insurance, local council rules for running a business from your address, and whether you need any licences or registrations for the vehicles or services involved. Also check how much space you have, and how much you can spend before the first booking comes in.
Questions
Do I need a licence to run a transport business from home in Australia?
It depends on the idea and your state or territory. Hiring vehicles, carrying passengers or moving freight can each have different requirements. Check with your state transport authority and your local council before you spend money.
What insurance should I look at for a home-based transport business?
Standard home or car policies often exclude business use. Ask an insurance broker about public liability, commercial vehicle cover and cover for hired or stored vehicles. Check what is covered if a customer or their property is involved in an incident.
Can I run vehicle hire or storage from my home address?
Possibly, but council zoning and planning rules vary. Check whether you need approval for customer visits, parked vehicles or storage on your land. Also check your lease or strata rules if you rent or live in a shared property.