Event and party equipment hire
Hire out marquees, tables, chairs and staging to parties, markets and community events.
- A$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A hire business built around event gear such as folding tables and chairs, marquees, generators, lighting and portable staging. You deliver, set up if needed, and collect after the event.
Your first three steps
- Talk to local event planners, schools and clubs about what gear they struggle to find
- Start with a core package, such as tables, chairs and a marquee, and price it against local competitors
- Arrange a van or trailer and storage space, and check insurance and any council rules for your premises
Who pays
Families planning parties and weddings, schools, clubs, councils, market organisers and small businesses running events.
How it makes money
Per item or package hire fees for a day or weekend, plus delivery and setup charges. Busy seasons like summer and spring bring most of the bookings.
Skills that help
- Planning and scheduling around event dates
- Safe lifting and setting up equipment
- Friendly, reliable customer service
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and cover for equipment stored, transported and on hire
- Marquee and generator safety, such as secure anchoring and electrical testing (check your state's requirements)
- Strong seasonality and weather cancellations, so check your booking and refund terms
- Storage space needs, and council rules if you store gear at home
- Heavy lifting, so plan for a helper or proper handling aids
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: event and party equipment hire
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 an event and party hire business?
Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the range of gear you buy, storage and transport. These are estimates, and your own costs will vary with how large a stock you start with.
How much can an event hire business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many events you supply and the hours you work. This is an estimate only, and demand can vary with season and weather.
What should I check before starting an event hire business?
Check public liability insurance and cover for equipment stored, transported and on hire. Also check your state's requirements for marquee and generator safety, such as secure anchoring and electrical testing, plus council rules if you store gear at home.
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