Indoor play centre with parties and café

Families with children from toddlers to primary school age, parents booking birthday parties, schools and community groups on excursions.

Entry fees, birthday party packages, memberships and holiday programs, and café sales. Parties often bring in the most per booking.

• Managing a team and rosters
• Customer service
• Marketing to local families
• Budgeting and cash flow

• Council development approval and building classification for the site; check early, as this can take months
• Fire safety, exits, and maximum occupancy rules, so check with your council and state authorities
• Working with Children Check requirements for staff differ by state; check your state's rules
• Check which Australian Standards apply to your equipment, and arrange regular safety inspections
• Public liability insurance and workers compensation for your staff
• Food registration with your local council for the café, and allergy handling at parties
• High fixed costs such as rent and wages, and quieter periods in good weather

Startup costs are typically around $250,000 to $900,000, depending on the site, building work, play structures, party rooms and café fit-out. These are estimates. High fixed costs such as rent and wages are worth planning for.

Monthly revenue is typically around $35,000 to $140,000, depending on size, location, party bookings and café sales. Quieter periods in good weather can reduce income. These are estimates of revenue before costs, and 40 hours a week is a typical minimum.

Check council development approval and building classification early, as it can take months. Also check fire safety, exits and maximum occupancy, Working with Children Check rules, Australian Standards for equipment, insurance, and food registration and allergy handling for the café.