Event AV advisor and technician
Advise on and run sound, screens and lighting for conferences, weddings and community events on weekends.
- A$1k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
You plan the AV needs for an event, hire in or supply the gear, set it up, run it on the day and pack down. You can start by working with hired equipment before buying your own.
Your first three steps
- List the event types you will cover and write a simple package and price list for each
- Introduce yourself to local venues, wedding planners and event companies, and offer to be their go-to AV contact
- Work out your hire sources and test a full setup at home or a friend's event before taking paid jobs
Who pays
Event organisers, venues, community groups, schools, councils and couples planning weddings.
How it makes money
A day or event rate for planning and operating, plus equipment hire charged to the client with a margin.
Skills that help
- Operating sound desks, projectors and screens
- Staying calm under time pressure
- Planning and checklists
- Working well with event staff
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and check whether venues ask for a certificate of currency
- Check your state's rules on electrical safety, rigging and working at height, and whether any training or tickets are needed
- Insurance for hired or owned equipment against damage and theft
- Weekend and late-night hours can be tiring, plan your workload
- Venue noise limits and rules, check with each venue or council
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: event AV advisor and technician
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an event AV business?
Startup costs are estimates, typically around $1,000 to $8,000, depending on whether you hire equipment or buy your own, plus insurance. Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $4,000 as an estimate, depending on how many events you take on.
What rules and insurance should I check for event AV work?
Check public liability insurance and whether venues ask for a certificate of currency. Check your state's rules on electrical safety, rigging and working at height, and any training or tickets needed. Also check equipment insurance and venue noise limits.
What skills and hours does event AV work involve?
You need to operate sound desks, projectors and screens, stay calm under time pressure, and plan with checklists. As an estimate, plan on at least around 6 hours a week. Weekend and late-night hours can be tiring, so plan your workload.
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