Online deli boxes and grazing platters

Households hosting get-togethers, small businesses ordering for meetings and people sending gifts.

A set price per platter or hamper, with extras for larger orders, delivery and corporate bookings.

• Food presentation
• Food safety knowledge
• Social media and photography
• Order planning and timing

• Food business registration and food safety supervisor rules, which vary by state and council
• Council approval if you want to run the business from home
• Allergen labelling and safe transport of chilled food
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Wasted stock, so buy ingredients only against confirmed orders

Estimates suggest startup costs typically sit around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on equipment, packaging, website set-up and how much stock you buy. Buying ingredients only against confirmed orders helps limit wasted stock while you're starting out.

Check food business registration and food safety supervisor rules, which vary by state and council. If you plan to operate from home, check whether your council needs to approve it. Also check allergen labelling, safe chilled transport and insurance such as public and product liability.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $1,000 to $6,000, depending on how many orders you take, your pricing and how well you market. The estimates assume at least about 10 hours a week, and revenue is not the same as profit.