Local gas bottle shop and exchange

Households, caravan and camping users, tradies, small cafes and food vans, and local landlords or farms.

Margin on cylinder swaps and refills, plus sales of appliances, fittings and accessories. Regular cylinder customers bring repeat visits, and accessories lift the average sale.

• Customer service
• Careful with safety procedures
• Basic stock control and retail sales

• Dangerous goods storage and handling rules differ by state and territory, so check with your state's workplace safety regulator and the local council
• Public liability and product liability insurance, and check your insurer is happy with gas storage on site
• Installing gas appliances usually needs a licensed gas fitter, so check before offering installation
• Fire safety, signage and cage or storage distance requirements for your premises
• Margins on cylinders can be thin, so check your lease and rent against likely volumes

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on your premises, storage area and stock. Margins on cylinders can be thin, so check your lease and rent against likely volumes before committing.

Check dangerous goods storage and handling rules with your state's workplace safety regulator and local council. Also check fire safety, signage and storage requirements, insurance (including whether your insurer accepts gas storage), and that installing appliances usually needs a licensed gas fitter.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on bottle exchanges, appliance sales and accessories. The estimate assumes at least about 35 hours a week. Thin margins on cylinders mean you should check your numbers carefully.