Mobile food machinery service and repair
Service, repair and install commercial food machines at customers' sites, and supply parts and refurbished units.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
You travel to food businesses to install, maintain and repair machines like mixers, slicers, ovens and packaging equipment. You can also supply spare parts and sell reconditioned machines, which suits the sales and servicing side of this business.
Your first three steps
- Work out which machine types you can confidently service, and line up trade accounts with parts suppliers and manufacturers
- Register an ABN, get insurance, and fit out a ute or van with tools and common spare parts
- Offer a discounted first service to local food businesses and ask for service contracts and referrals
Who pays
Bakeries, butchers, restaurants, caterers, food factories and packers that cannot afford machines sitting idle.
How it makes money
Call-out fees and hourly labour, planned service contracts, plus margin on parts and refurbished machines.
Skills that help
- Mechanical or electrical trade background
- Fault finding and fixing under time pressure
- Clear communication and reliable timekeeping
Watch out for
- Electrical or gas work usually needs a licensed tradie, check your state's licensing body before taking on that work
- Public liability insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
- Food safety: repairs must not contaminate food areas, so check customers' hygiene rules and use food-safe materials where needed
- Warranty on parts and labour, set out clear terms in your quotes
- Safe lifting and working around moving parts and blades
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: mobile food machinery service and repair
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 a mobile food machinery repair business?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your vehicle, tools, parts stock and insurance.
How much can a food machinery service business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how many customers and call-outs you have, and any parts or refurbished machines you sell.
Do I need a licence to repair commercial food machines?
Electrical or gas work usually needs a licensed tradie, so check your state's licensing body. Also check public liability insurance, workers compensation once you hire, customers' food safety and hygiene rules, and clear warranty terms in your quotes.
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