Internet and print shop

Students, travellers, backpackers, people without a home printer and locals who need to print or scan documents.

Pay-by-the-hour computer use, per-page printing and copying, scanning and extras like laminating, binding and passport-style photo printing.

• Friendly customer service
• Basic computer and printer troubleshooting
• Simple bookkeeping and cash handling

• Lease terms, bond and fit-out costs, as rent is usually your biggest ongoing expense
• Council zoning and planning approval for the shop use, check with your local council
• Public liability insurance, plus cover for your equipment
• Customer privacy: set computers to clear browsing data and logins between sessions
• Software licences for the programs you install, and copyright rules for photocopying, check what applies
• Falling demand as more people have their own devices and home printers, so test the location before committing to a long lease
• GST registration once your turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on lease bond, fit-out, the number of computers and your printing equipment. Rent is usually the biggest ongoing expense, so get quotes for your chosen location.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $15,000, depending on your location, foot traffic and the services you offer. These are estimates only, and demand may fall as more people have their own devices and printers, so test the location first.

Check lease terms, bond and fit-out costs, council zoning and planning approval, public liability and equipment insurance, software licences, copyright rules for photocopying, customer privacy settings, and GST registration once your turnover reaches the threshold.