Small business energy cost consultant
Review energy bills and usage for shops, cafes and offices, and show them where to save.
- A$1k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
You analyse a business's electricity and gas contracts, usage patterns and equipment, then recommend changes such as better contracts, load shifting, efficient equipment or solar. You may also help with grant and rebate applications.
Your first three steps
- Learn how commercial energy contracts and metering work, and look at free tools from your state government
- Prepare a sample audit report using your own or a friendly business's bills
- Approach local business groups, accountants and chambers of commerce to offer a free bill review
Who pays
Small and medium businesses such as cafes, retailers, farms, workshops, gyms and offices with large energy bills.
How it makes money
Flat fee for an energy audit and report, monthly retainers for ongoing monitoring, or a fee linked to savings agreed in advance.
Skills that help
- Reading energy contracts and interval data
- Spreadsheet analysis
- Sales and relationship building with business owners
Watch out for
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Check whether brokering energy contracts needs any registration or licence, and how commissions must be disclosed
- Large audits may need formal qualifications, check what clients or grant programs require
- Savings estimates can be wrong, so word them as estimates and be clear about assumptions
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: small business energy cost consultant
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 energy consulting business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,000 to $8,000, depending on your software, insurance and any qualifications clients or grant programs require. Check what applies before you budget.
How much can a business energy consultant earn?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on how many business clients you take on and the size of each job. Word any savings estimates carefully and state your assumptions.
Do I need a licence to advise businesses on energy contracts?
Things to check include professional indemnity and public liability insurance, whether brokering energy contracts needs registration or a licence, how commissions must be disclosed, and whether larger audits need formal qualifications for clients or grant programs.
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