Hosted karaoke setup for events

Bring the gear, set it up and run the karaoke for parties, pubs and corporate events.

Startup costA$2k to A$8k
Monthly revenueA$600 to A$3.5k
Time needed6+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • A$2k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

A step up from drop-off hire: you bring a full karaoke rig (speakers, screens, mics, lights), set up on site and run the night, keeping the queue moving and the crowd involved.

Your first three steps

  1. Put together a portable rig that fits in your car, ute or van, and test it at a few friends' events
  2. Create a simple package list with prices and a short video of a night in action
  3. Approach local pubs, clubs and event planners and offer a trial night
Who pays

Venues and pubs, corporate event organisers, schools and community groups, and private hosts wanting a hands-off night.

How it makes money

A fixed fee for a set number of hours, plus extra hours, travel and packages with lighting or a second screen. Repeat venue nights can bring steady income.

Skills that help
  • Confident with a crowd
  • Audio setup and troubleshooting
  • Basic marketing and quoting
Watch out for
  • Music licensing: check what your song source covers and what the venue's licences cover
  • Public liability insurance, and check what a venue or corporate client requires
  • Noise limits and venue rules, check with the venue and local council
  • Equipment safety and electrical testing: check requirements in your state
  • Late nights and heavy lifting

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: karaoke setup with host for events

Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a hosted karaoke business?

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on the speakers, screens, microphones and lighting you buy. Treat this as an estimate and get quotes for the rig you plan to run.

How much can a karaoke host earn?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $3,500, depending on how many events you book and what you charge. Hours start from about 6 a week. These are estimates, not guarantees.

What rules should I check before running karaoke at events?

Check what your song source covers and what the venue's licences cover for music. Also check public liability insurance and client requirements, noise limits with the venue and council, and equipment safety and electrical testing requirements in your state.

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