Local dive shop with air fills and servicing

Recreational divers, dive students, local clubs, instructors and visitors who need to hire or buy gear.

Margin on gear sales, fees for air fills and cylinder checks, servicing charges, and sometimes equipment hire or commission from training partners.

• Good diving knowledge and ideally dive qualifications
• Retail and stock management
• Technical aptitude for equipment servicing
• Customer service

• Rules for filling and testing compressed gas cylinders and air quality, check your state or territory work safety regulator
• Manufacturer training or accreditation for servicing regulators, which suppliers may require
• Public liability and product liability insurance, as faulty or badly serviced gear is a safety risk
• Seasonal sales in cooler areas and heavy stock costs, so plan your cash flow
• Council approval for the premises and compressor noise, check with your local council

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your premises, fill and servicing equipment, and how much stock you carry. Stock is a heavy cost, so plan your cash flow before committing to a lease.

Check the rules for filling and testing compressed gas cylinders and air quality with your state or territory work safety regulator. Also check whether suppliers require manufacturer training for servicing regulators, and ask your local council about premises approval and compressor noise.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $12,000 to $50,000, depending on location, stock and the services you offer. Sales can be seasonal in cooler areas, so it is worth planning your cash flow around quieter months.