Home-Based balloon decorator

Parents planning birthdays, people hosting baby showers or engagement parties, and small businesses wanting displays for openings.

Fixed prices per bouquet, garland or arch, plus delivery and setup fees. Extras like helium and custom colours add to each order.

• Creative eye for colour and shape
• Neat hands-on work
• Customer service and social media

• Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a business from home
• Public liability insurance, especially if you set up at venues
• Helium cylinders need safe storage and transport, check supplier guidance
• Get an ABN, and check when you need to register for GST
• Balloons are popular with children, so tell customers about choking risks and supervision

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $2,500, depending on how much stock, equipment and helium supply you buy at the start and how you set up your online ordering and delivery.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $400 to $3,000, depending on how many orders you take and the size of the jobs. Many people start with at least about 8 hours a week and build up as orders grow.

Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a business from home. Also check public liability insurance, safe storage and transport of helium cylinders, ABN and GST registration, and how you will tell customers about choking risks for children.