Home studio painter selling art and commissions

Home owners, interior decorators, gift buyers, small businesses decorating offices or cafes, and collectors who like your style.

Sales of original works at set prices, commission fees agreed before you start (often with a deposit), and optionally prints or cards of your best pieces.

• Strong painting skills and a recognisable style
• Photographing your work well
• Talking to buyers and managing commission briefs
• Basic social media and online selling

• You'll need an ABN to operate as a sole trader; check when you need to register for GST as your turnover grows
• Check with your local council whether a home-based business needs approval, especially if customers visit
• Public liability insurance is worth checking for market stalls, as many markets ask for it
• Copyright: only paint from your own photos or reference material you have the right to use
• Income from art can be uneven, so keep records and set money aside for tax

Startup costs are typically around $300 to $2,000, depending on your paints, canvases, framing, photography and how you sell. Starting small and building up as sales come in keeps early costs down.

Monthly revenue is typically around $200 to $2,500, depending on your style, prices and how many pieces and commissions you sell. Income from art can be uneven, so keep records and set money aside for tax.

You'll need an ABN to operate as a sole trader, so check when you need to register for GST as turnover grows. Also check council approval for a home business, insurance for markets, and copyright for any reference photos.