Alterations for bridal and clothing shops

Bridal boutiques, menswear and formal wear shops, dry cleaners and uniform suppliers, who pay you per job or on invoice.

Agreed rates per alteration, billed to the shop. Specialist work like bridal fitting earns more per job, and a few steady shop clients give more predictable income.

• Advanced sewing, including fine and structured fabrics
• Pattern and garment construction knowledge
• Reliable deadlines and professional communication

• Public liability insurance, and cover for high-value garments in your care
• Tight deadlines before weddings and events, so don't over-commit
• Reliance on one or two shops, so spread your clients
• GST registration once your turnover reaches the threshold, so check with the ATO

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your equipment, workspace and insurance. Treat these as estimates and price your own setup before taking on work from local shops.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many shops you work with and how many jobs you take. The estimates assume at least about 15 hours a week.

Check public liability insurance and cover for high-value garments in your care. Also check GST registration with the ATO once turnover reaches the threshold, and avoid over-committing before weddings and events or relying on one or two shops.