Home-based environmental compliance consultant

Small developers, builders, councils, farms and businesses that need to meet environmental conditions or lodge approvals. Larger consultancies may also subcontract overflow work to you.

Fixed fee per report or plan, or an hourly or daily rate for ongoing compliance support and subcontract work.

• Environmental science or related degree and relevant experience
• Clear technical report writing
• Knowing the planning and environmental rules in your state
• Managing deadlines and client expectations

• Professional indemnity insurance, as clients can claim if your advice is wrong
• Check whether your state requires specific accreditation or registration for the work you offer
• Consider membership or certification through a professional body such as EIANZ to build trust
• Check council rules on running a home-based business
• Work can be lumpy and slow to pay, so manage cash flow and use deposits

As an estimate, startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on your computer and software, professional indemnity insurance, memberships and marketing. Costs vary with the tools you already have.

Things to check include professional indemnity insurance, whether your state requires accreditation or registration for the work you offer, membership or certification through a professional body such as EIANZ, and council rules on running a home-based business.

As an estimate, monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your clients and report volume. Plan for at least about 15 hours a week. Work can be lumpy and slow to pay, so use deposits.