Transport business ideas you run out and about in Australia
51 ideas
These 51 ideas suit people who would rather be on the road than behind a desk. Some are simple to begin, like a van courier for local businesses or a ute pick-up and delivery on demand service.
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
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
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
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
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
Pre-booked rickshaw rides for events and tours
Hire out a rickshaw and rider for weddings, festivals, corporate days and private sightseeing tours.
- A$4k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile boat repair and servicing
Drive to boats at marinas, ramps and driveways to service engines and fix fittings, hulls and electrics.
- A$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Airport and corporate chauffeur driver
Drive pre-booked airport transfers and business clients in your own presentable car, charged per booking.
- A$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Man and van removals
Move units, small homes and single items with your own van or ute for local customers.
- A$1k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Household removals with a truck and crew
Run a small removals business moving full homes locally and between towns with a truck and a small crew.
- A$50k-150k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Owner-operator taxi driver
Run your own taxi, joined to a booking network, and pick up phone, app and rank fares in your city or town.
- A$35k-150k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Wheelchair-accessible taxi
Run a modified taxi for passengers who use wheelchairs, with steady demand from disability and health transport.
- A$50k-170k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile bike repair and sales
Fix and tune bikes at people's homes and workplaces from a van, and sell parts and accessories.
- A$3k-20k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
One-on-one motorcycle rider coaching
Coach new, returning and nervous riders one-on-one in quiet car parks and on local roads.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Heavy vehicle driving school with your own truck
Train drivers for rigid and heavy combination licences using your own training truck and a booking system.
- A$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Heavy vehicle licence test-prep coaching
Coach learners for their heavy vehicle test using hired or partner trucks, without buying your own.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Scooter hire delivered to holiday stays
Keep a small fleet at home and drop scooters to holiday rentals, hotels and campsites for the day or week.
- A$5k-20k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small-group minibus day tours
Drive visitors on set day trips to wineries, coast or sights in your own minibus, paid per seat.
- A$25k-120k
- Part-time
- Out and about
About these ideas
Others need more setup, such as pre-booked private airport transfers or an owner-driver truck on contract to a carrier. If you prefer something lighter, mobile bike repair and sales needs tools and a small vehicle rather than a large fleet. Before choosing, think about the vehicle you would need, how it will be financed and insured, and whether your state or territory requires particular licences, accreditation or registrations. Also consider your hours, fuel and maintenance costs, and where steady work will come from.
More ideas
- Event-day car park
- Upright piano mover (part-time)
- Specialist piano removal team
- Mobile horse float servicing and repairs
- Wheelchair-accessible van transport
- Door-to-door rides for less mobile people
- Small truck local freight carrier
- Owner-driver truck on contract to a carrier
- 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
- 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
- Event and venue valet parking
- Hotel and restaurant valet contract
- Contract school bus route operator
- Private school-run minibus
- Local courier and delivery van
- Airport transfers and private hire driver
- Ute pick-up and delivery on demand
Questions
What licences might I need to start a transport business in Australia?
It depends on your state or territory and the type of work. Check driver licence class, any passenger transport accreditation, vehicle registration and inspection rules, and whether heavy vehicle requirements apply. Your state transport authority is the best place to confirm.
What insurance should I check before I start driving for work?
Standard car insurance often does not cover commercial use, so ask insurers about cover for your vehicle, goods in transit, passengers and public liability. Compare what each policy excludes, and check whether any contract or platform you work with requires specific cover.
How do I find regular customers for a mobile transport business?
Start by approaching local businesses, venues, hotels and event organisers who need reliable transport. Check whether bookings platforms or carrier contracts suit you, and build a simple website and Google Business listing so repeat customers can find and book you easily.