Spare-room bed and breakfast

Holiday travellers, visitors for weddings or family events, and people travelling for work or short contracts.

A nightly room rate that includes breakfast, usually higher on weekends and in peak holiday seasons. Listing on booking sites gets you guests while you build repeat and word-of-mouth bookings.

• Friendly, welcoming manner
• Basic cooking and kitchen hygiene
• Keeping rooms spotless
• Handling bookings and guest messages

• Council approval and planning rules for short-stay accommodation vary by state and council, so check before taking bookings
• Public liability insurance and a check that your home insurance covers paying guests
• Food handling: check with your local council about food business registration and any food safety training for serving breakfast
• Smoke alarms and fire safety requirements for guest rooms in your state
• Strata or lease rules that may restrict short-term stays
• Income is lumpy and seasonal, and you need to be home for check-ins

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $6,000, depending on how much you spend preparing the rooms and what you already have. These are estimates, so price your own setup before taking bookings.

Monthly revenue is typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many rooms you offer and how often they are booked. Income is lumpy and seasonal, and you need to be home for check-ins.

Check council approval and planning rules for short-stay accommodation in your state. Also check public liability and home insurance, food business registration for serving breakfast, smoke alarm and fire safety rules, and any strata or lease restrictions.