Model aircraft hobby shop with a shopfront

Local hobbyists, beginners, parents, collectors and flying club members who want to see and handle products before buying.

Margin on products, plus small income from repairs, build help and special orders. An online store can widen the customer base beyond your suburb.

• Strong model aircraft knowledge
• Retail and stock control
• Basic repair and building skills
• Customer service and community building

• Commercial lease terms and rent, check them carefully, ideally with a solicitor
• Council approval for the premises and signage, check with your local council
• Lithium battery storage and fire safety in the shop, check requirements
• Public liability, product liability and contents insurance
• Foot traffic alone is often not enough, so plan for online sales too
• GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold, and workers compensation if you hire

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the premises, how much stock you carry and your fit-out. Commercial lease terms are worth checking carefully, ideally with a solicitor.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on location, range and how well online sales supplement foot traffic. The estimates start from about 35 hours a week.

Check commercial lease terms, council approval for the premises and signage, and lithium battery storage and fire safety requirements. Also check public liability, product liability and contents insurance, GST registration at the threshold, and workers compensation if you hire.