Small pond farm for yabbies or freshwater fish

Local restaurants and cafes, farmers markets shoppers, seafood retailers and households buying direct.

Sales by the kilo or by the piece, either live or chilled. You can also sell direct on-farm or at markets for a better price than wholesale.

• Patience and daily routine
• Basic water quality and animal care
• Selling direct to customers and chefs

• Aquaculture permits or licences, which differ by state and may restrict species in some regions, so check first
• Council approval and planning rules for ponds, water use and selling from your property
• Water access rights, dam rules and the risk of escapes into waterways
• Food safety rules for selling seafood, check with your council and state food authority
• Drought, heat and disease can cause stock losses, so plan for slow and uneven income

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on whether you build ponds or use an existing dam, and on your stock and equipment. Treat this as an estimate and check your land and water setup first.

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on your species, harvest size and who you sell to. Expect to spend at least about 8 hours a week. Drought, heat and disease can cause stock losses, so income can be slow and uneven.

Check aquaculture permits or licences, which differ by state and may restrict species in some regions. Also check council approval and planning rules, water access rights and dam rules, escape risks, and food safety rules for selling seafood.