Start a mobile mechanic business

Busy households, small businesses with a few work vehicles, and people who can't easily drop a car at a workshop.

Quoted price per job, or labour at an hourly rate plus parts. Travel time is usually built into the price or a call-out fee.

• Trade qualification or solid mechanical experience
• Fault diagnosis
• Clear quoting and communication
• Organising a day's route

• Licensing differs by state and territory, so check with your state's licensing or fair trading body
• Public liability, tools and vehicle insurance, plus cover for work done on customers' vehicles
• Safe disposal of used oil, filters and coolant, and any rules on working at residential properties
• Air-conditioning work needs a refrigerant handling licence
• Warranty and logbook service rules, so you don't void a customer's new-car warranty

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your tools, diagnostic equipment and the ute or van you use. It's also worth budgeting for insurance, including cover for work done on customers' vehicles.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $18,000, depending on how many hours you work, the jobs you take on and how you price them. These figures are revenue, before costs such as parts, fuel and insurance.

Licensing differs by state and territory, so check with your state's licensing or fair trading body. Also check insurance requirements, the refrigerant handling licence for air-conditioning work, used oil and coolant disposal rules, and warranty and logbook service rules.