Online electric motor and parts shop

Sell electric motors, belts, bearings and spare parts online to workshops, farms and DIYers across Australia.

Rows of electric motors and spare parts on shelves in a trade supply store.
Startup costA$3k to A$15k
Monthly revenueA$1.5k to A$7.5k
Time needed10+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • A$3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Online

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

A website store focused on electric motors and related parts such as pulleys, capacitors, couplings and mounting kits. You can start by listing products that suppliers send direct, then hold stock of the fast sellers.

Your first three steps

  1. Contact Australian motor distributors and importers to compare trade prices, minimum orders and drop-shipping options
  2. Register an ABN, choose a small range of popular single-phase and three-phase motors, and build a simple online store
  3. Write clear product pages with ratings, frame sizes and mounting details, then list on a marketplace to test demand
Who pays

Small workshops, farmers, maintenance teams, hobbyists and people repairing or building machinery.

How it makes money

You earn the margin between your wholesale price and your sale price, plus extra on accessories and spare parts bought with a motor.

Skills that help
  • Basic knowledge of motor types, sizes and ratings
  • Online selling and product listings
  • Customer service and technical enquiries
Watch out for
  • Check that the motors you sell meet Australian electrical safety and energy efficiency requirements, and are properly marked, with your state regulator and the supplier
  • Public liability and product liability insurance
  • Freight costs on heavy items can eat into margin, so check carrier rates before pricing
  • Customers may ask for technical advice; only advise on what you know and suggest a licensed electrician for installation
  • Register for GST once turnover reaches the threshold

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: online electric motor and parts shop

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
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start an online electric motor shop in Australia?

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your website setup and how much stock you hold. Listing products that suppliers send direct can keep the starting amount lower.

How much can an online electric motor shop earn?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your product range, pricing and marketing. This is revenue, not profit, and freight costs on heavy items can reduce your margin.

What should I check before selling electric motors online in Australia?

Check that the motors meet Australian electrical safety and energy efficiency requirements and are properly marked, with your state regulator and supplier. Also check public liability and product liability insurance, freight rates on heavy items, and GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold.

Other ways to run this business

Similar retail ideas

Photo: hirenlathiya107 on Pixabay

More ideas →