Man and van removals
Move units, small homes and single items with your own van or ute for local customers.
- A$1k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A one-person moving service using a van or ute to shift small loads: unit moves, student moves, single furniture items and marketplace pickups.
Your first three steps
- Check your vehicle suits the work and price up the local competition to set your hourly rate
- Get an ABN, then quotes for commercial vehicle, public liability and goods in transit insurance
- Buy blankets, straps and a trolley, then list your service on local community groups and online listing sites
Who pays
Renters, students, people buying furniture online, and small households moving locally.
How it makes money
Hourly rate for you and the vehicle, or a fixed price per job, with extra charges for stairs, long distances or a second helper.
Skills that help
- Safe lifting and loading
- Local knowledge and route planning
- Reliable and good with customers
Watch out for
- Public liability and goods in transit insurance, and check that your vehicle insurance covers business use
- Check your state's rules on vehicle registration and licence class for the vehicle you use
- Physical strain and injury risk, so use proper lifting technique
- Check whether you need workers compensation insurance if you hire a helper
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: man and van removals
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 man and van business in Australia?
Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $8,000, depending on whether you already own a suitable van or ute, and what you spend on insurance, equipment and advertising. Treat this as an estimate and get quotes.
How much can a man and van removalist earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many jobs you take, the area you work in and how many hours you put in. These are estimates of revenue, before your running costs.
What rules and insurance should I check before starting a removals business?
Check public liability and goods in transit insurance, and that your vehicle insurance covers business use. Check your state's rules on vehicle registration and licence class, and whether you need workers compensation insurance if you hire a helper.
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