Small-Scale honey producer

Locals at farmers' markets, neighbours, friends and workplaces, plus small cafes and gift shops that like local products.

Sell jars of honey at a set price per jar, with extra from beeswax candles or wraps. Earnings depend on how many hives you keep and how good the season is.

• Patience and calm around bees
• Willingness to learn hive management
• Basic jarring, labelling and selling

• Beekeeper registration, which differs by state and territory, so check with your state's primary industries department
• Council rules on hive numbers and distance from neighbours if you keep bees in a suburban area
• Bee stings and allergies, so check first aid and personal safety for yourself and family
• Honey sold to the public must meet food labelling and safety rules, check with your local council and state food authority
• Pests and diseases such as varroa mite, which can affect hive health and movement rules, check current guidance
• Public liability insurance, especially if selling at markets

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000 for a small-scale setup, depending on how many hives you keep, your equipment and your jarring supplies. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own gear.

Monthly revenue is typically around $200 to $1,500, depending on how many hives you keep, the season and where you sell. Treat it as a side income, and remember revenue is not the same as profit.

Check beekeeper registration with your state's primary industries department, and council rules on hive numbers and distance from neighbours. Honey sold to the public must meet food labelling and safety rules, so check with your council and state food authority.