Mobile household fridge repair

Drive to homes to diagnose and fix fridges and freezers, paid per call-out.

Startup costA$4k to A$20k
Monthly revenueA$2.5k to A$12k
Time needed15+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • A$4k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
  • Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

A van or ute-based service that visits homes to find faults in domestic fridges and freezers, such as faulty thermostats, fans, door seals, defrost systems and control boards. Where refrigerant is involved, it also covers gas-related repairs.

Your first three steps

  1. Check which licences and training you need in your state, including the ARC refrigerant handling licence and any electrical licensing rules for appliance repair
  2. Price your tools, a van or ute set-up and common spare parts, then set a call-out fee after checking local competitors
  3. Register an ABN, arrange insurance and list yourself on Google Business Profile and local community groups
Who pays

Households, landlords, property managers and real estate agents who need a quick repair instead of a replacement.

How it makes money

A call-out and diagnosis fee, plus labour and parts for the repair. Repeat work from property managers and word of mouth builds steady bookings.

Skills that help
  • Fault-finding and basic electrical knowledge
  • Comfortable working with tools and small parts
  • Clear, honest communication with customers
  • Organising bookings and parts
Watch out for
  • Handling refrigerant generally needs a licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council, check what applies to your work
  • Electrical work rules vary by state, check with your state's electrical licensing body before opening up appliances
  • Public liability insurance, and cover for your tools and vehicle
  • Customers may expect repairs on very old units that are not worth fixing, so be upfront about quotes
  • GST registration once your turnover reaches the threshold

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: mobile household fridge 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
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a mobile fridge repair business?

Startup costs are typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your vehicle, tools, spare parts and insurance. These are estimates only, so get quotes for your own setup before you commit.

How much can a mobile fridge repairer earn?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,500 to $12,000, depending on how many call-outs you take, your hours and the repairs you offer. That is revenue before costs, not profit.

Do I need a licence to repair fridges in Australia?

Check whether handling refrigerant needs a licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council for your work. Electrical rules vary by state, so check with your state's electrical licensing body, and look into public liability insurance and GST registration.

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