Small shared office with rentable desks
Lease a modest office and rent out desks and a meeting room by the month or day, keeping the fit-out simple.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A scaled-down coworking setup in a small leased office or upstairs unit, with a handful of desks, good internet, shared amenities and one meeting space.
Your first three steps
- Find a small office with flexible lease terms and confirm the landlord allows desk-sharing
- Buy secondhand desks and chairs, set up reliable internet and a simple online booking and payment system
- Pre-sell desks to freelancers and small firms through local business groups and online listings
Who pays
Solo professionals, tradies needing an admin base, consultants and small start-ups who want a desk without a long lease.
How it makes money
Monthly desk rental, casual day desks and hourly meeting room hire, with simple pricing and minimal extras.
Skills that help
- Organised and reliable
- Friendly, practical customer service
- Simple marketing and online listings
Watch out for
- Check your lease allows you to rent desks to others, and get the landlord's written consent if needed
- Check with your local council about permitted use for the premises
- Public liability insurance and cover for equipment
- Written membership terms covering notice periods, house rules and damage
- Empty desks in the early months, so only commit to rent you can cover
- Internet reliability and privacy for calls, as members will expect both
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: small shared office with rentable desks
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 a shared office with rentable desks?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the office you lease, the furniture and equipment you buy, and your internet setup.
How much can I earn renting out desks?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on how many desks you fill and your rates. Desks can sit empty early on, so only commit to rent you can cover. Allow about 10 hours a week at minimum.
What should I check before renting desks in a leased office?
Check your lease allows you to rent desks to others, and get the landlord's written consent if needed. Also check permitted use with your local council, arrange insurance, and use written membership terms covering notice periods, house rules and damage.
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