Shared woodwork and craft workshop

Hobbyists, renters and apartment dwellers without space, small makers testing products, and people wanting to learn a skill.

Monthly memberships or casual hourly bench hire, plus paid induction sessions and beginner classes.

• Confident with workshop tools and safety
• Teaching beginners patiently
• Organising bookings and keeping the space tidy

• Public liability insurance that covers members using machinery, check the wording with your insurer
• Council zoning and planning rules for the unit, and noise and dust limits, check with your local council
• Workplace health and safety duties, check with your state's WHS regulator
• Machine safety, member waivers and training before anyone uses power tools
• Workers compensation insurance once you hire staff, check your state scheme

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $120,000, depending on the unit you rent and the benches, hand tools and machines you buy. Get quotes for equipment and insurance before signing a lease.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how many members you have, how often benches are booked and whether you run intro classes. This is revenue before rent and other costs.

Check that public liability insurance covers members using machinery, council zoning and planning rules plus noise and dust limits, and your state's WHS duties. Also check member waivers, safety training and workers compensation once you hire staff.