Home-Based freight and delivery coordinator

Small manufacturers, online sellers, wholesalers and trade suppliers who ship regularly but have no time or staff to manage freight.

A margin added on top of carrier costs for each job, or a monthly management fee for handling a client's regular freight.

• Organised and good with detail
• Clear communication and negotiating with carriers
• Calm when deliveries go wrong

• Goods in transit and public liability insurance, and who is liable if freight is lost or damaged
• Check whether Chain of Responsibility duties under heavy vehicle laws apply to your role
• Rules on dangerous goods and restricted items, check before booking them
• Using subcontractors properly, check the rules on contractor arrangements
• Check whether your council requires approval for a home-based business
• Cash flow: you may pay carriers before clients pay you

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your equipment, software, insurance and how you find your first clients. Because the work is done from home with subcontracted carriers, you don't need to buy a truck.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $6,000, depending on how many clients you have and how much freight you book for them. You may pay carriers before clients pay you, so plan your cash flow carefully.

Check goods in transit and public liability insurance, and who is liable if freight is lost or damaged. Also check whether Chain of Responsibility duties apply to you, rules on dangerous goods, contractor arrangements, and council approval for a home-based business.