Owner-driver truck on contract to a carrier

Larger freight carriers, construction and quarry firms, retailers' distribution centres and agricultural businesses.

Paid per load, per kilometre or per hour under contract. Revenue is before fuel, finance, insurance, tyres and maintenance, so margins depend on keeping costs under control.

• Heavy vehicle driving experience
• Managing fatigue and long hours
• Budgeting and cost tracking
• Building long-term client relationships

• Heavy vehicle licence class and any medical requirements (check your state's transport authority)
• Heavy vehicle laws on fatigue, mass, dimensions and chain of responsibility, check the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator or your state or territory rules, as WA and NT work differently
• Accreditation schemes and registration costs that may apply to your work
• Dependence on one or two contracts, so check payment terms and notice periods
• Large finance commitments and breakdown downtime, so keep a cash buffer and get advice from an accountant
• Workers compensation and other insurance if you later hire drivers (check your state scheme)

Startup costs are typically around $50,000 to $250,000, depending on the truck, trailer or tipper, finance terms and registration costs. These are estimates, so get quotes and advice from an accountant before taking on a large finance commitment.

Things to check: your heavy vehicle licence class and any medical requirements; heavy vehicle laws on fatigue, mass, dimensions and chain of responsibility (WA and NT work differently); accreditation schemes and registration costs; and workers compensation if you later hire drivers.

Monthly revenue is typically around $15,000 to $45,000, depending on routes, contracts and hours. Finance and breakdown downtime come out of that, so keep a cash buffer. Expect around 40 hours a week at minimum.