Small-unit machining job shop
Run a rented industrial unit making metal and plastic parts to drawings for local engineering and manufacturing firms.
- A$40k-200k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small workshop with lathes, mills and ideally a CNC machine, making one-off and short-run parts, prototypes and replacement components from client drawings or samples.
Your first three steps
- Visit local engineering firms and ask what work they struggle to get made quickly, then note typical parts and turnaround times
- Price up a small set of used machines and tooling and a unit with suitable power, then build a simple cash flow forecast
- Register an ABN, get a quote for public liability and product liability insurance, and set up a quoting template
Who pays
Local engineering firms, manufacturers, mining and farming suppliers, maintenance teams and other trades that need parts made fast.
How it makes money
Quoted price per job or per part, based on machine time, material and setup. Repeat clients and regular short runs give steadier income.
Skills that help
- Machining trade skills or a trade qualification
- Reading engineering drawings
- Accurate quoting and job costing
- Quality checking with measuring tools
Watch out for
- Machinery and tooling costs are high, so check used equipment carefully before buying
- Check workplace health and safety duties with your state regulator, including machine guarding and safe work procedures
- Check council zoning and the lease terms for industrial use, noise and three-phase power
- Public liability and product liability insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
- Late-paying clients and reliance on one or two big customers
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: small-unit machining job shop
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
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a machining job shop in Australia?
Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $200,000, depending on whether you buy used or new machines and tooling. Machinery and tooling costs are high, so check used equipment carefully before buying.
How much revenue can a small machining workshop make?
Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your client base and machine capacity. Late-paying clients and reliance on one or two big customers can make income uneven.
What rules should I check before opening a machining workshop?
Check workplace health and safety duties with your state regulator, including machine guarding and safe work procedures. Also check council zoning and lease terms for industrial use, noise and three-phase power, plus insurance and workers compensation once you hire.
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