Home help and errands for local households

Busy working families, older people living at home, people recovering from an injury, and relatives arranging help for a parent from a distance.

Hourly rate for visits, often with a minimum booking time. Regular weekly clients give steady income, and you can charge extra for travel or errands.

• Reliable and trustworthy
• Organised with a good eye for detail
• Friendly and patient with all kinds of people

• Public liability insurance, and check whether you need cover for handling clients' money or goods
• A police check, and a Working with Children Check if children will be present (check your state's rules)
• Personal care or nursing tasks may fall under different rules, so check what you can offer
• Clients funded through government aged care programs may need to use registered providers, so check the requirements first
• Handling clients' cards or cash for shopping, so keep clear receipts and records

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $200 to $1,200, depending on insurance, supplies and how you promote the service. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many clients you take on and the hours you work.

Things to check: public liability insurance, and whether you need cover for handling clients' money or goods. Also check a police check, and a Working with Children Check if children will be present. Personal care tasks may fall under different rules.

Clients funded through government aged care programs may need to use registered providers, so check the requirements first. Estimates suggest at least around 8 hours a week. Keep clear receipts and records when handling clients' cards or cash for shopping.