Home-Based specialist consultant

Small and medium businesses, not-for-profits and sometimes your former employer or industry contacts who need expertise they don't have in-house.

Fixed project fees, day rates or hourly rates, with some clients moving to a monthly retainer for ongoing support.

• Deep experience in one specialist area
• Clear writing and presenting
• Listening and asking good questions
• Self-discipline and managing your own time

• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, check what clients may require in contracts
• Some advice is regulated, such as financial, tax or migration advice, so check ASIC and other regulators before offering it
• Check whether your local council needs approval for a home-based business
• Check any restrictions or conflicts of interest linked to a current or recent employer
• Income can be uneven, so plan for quiet months and register for GST once you reach the threshold

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $2,500, depending on your home office setup, insurance and how you find clients. These are estimates, so check what insurance clients may require in their contracts.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many projects you win and your specialty. Estimates start from about 6 hours a week. Income can be uneven, so plan for quiet months.

Things to check include professional indemnity and public liability insurance, whether your advice is regulated (such as financial, tax or migration advice, via ASIC and other regulators), council approval for a home-based business, and conflicts with a current or recent employer.