Trades business ideas you can start in Australia

357 ideas

This page collects 358 trades business ideas, from hands-on contracting to supplying the people who do the work. Some suit qualified tradespeople who want to go out on their own, such as a subcontract decking installer or a solo timber floor installer for builders and retailers.

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5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
Heating engineer servicing a boiler in a home utility room.

Mobile heating and boiler repair

Repair and service gas heaters, furnaces and hydronic boilers at homes and small businesses as a licensed mobile tradie.

  • A$8k-35k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Engineer fitting a wall-mounted air conditioning unit in a room.

Home air conditioning install and service

Install, service and repair split systems for homeowners, working from a ute or van.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about

Subcontract air conditioning installer

Fit units as a sole trader for bigger installers and builders, with no need to find your own customers.

  • A$5k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
A craftsperson repairing a leather bag at a workbench with tools.

Home leather repair workshop

Fix bags, jackets and shoes from a home workshop, with customers dropping off or posting items.

  • A$1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Leather repair shop

Open a small shopfront repairing leather bags, shoes and jackets for walk-in customers.

  • A$12k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Workers assembling a new play structure in a school playground.

Playground equipment reseller (subcontracted install)

Quote and sell play equipment to schools, councils and nurseries, and hire a local crew to install it.

  • A$2k-10k
  • Part-time
  • From home

Playground supply and install crew

Supply and fit play equipment and soft-fall surfacing for schools, councils and nurseries with your own small crew.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
Workers laying block paving on a new driveway outside a house.

Patio and driveway paving

Lay pavers and concrete patios, paths and driveways for homeowners in your area.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Car park and commercial paving crew

Run a small crew laying asphalt and concrete for car parks, driveways and businesses.

  • A$80k-400k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
A craftsman shaping a copper vessel with hammer and anvil in a workshop.

Custom copper fabrication and repair workshop

Make and repair copper vessels, cookware and fittings for breweries, venues and homeowners from a small workshop.

  • A$8k-40k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises

Home copper studio: homewares and repairs

Hand-make copper homewares and repair cookware and garden pieces from a garage or shed.

  • A$1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Joiner fitting a wooden door into its frame in a workshop.

Home-based door and hardware supplier

Quote and order-in doors, frames and hardware for local builders and renovators, with no shopfront needed.

  • A$2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Door showroom and trade counter

Open a small showroom and stockroom selling doors, frames and hardware to builders, joiners and homeowners.

  • A$40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Bins of bolts, screws and nails stacked in a supplier warehouse.

Mobile fastener supplier to tradies

Stock a ute or van with screws, bolts and anchors and restock local builders and tradies on site.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Online bulk fastener shop

Sell screws, bolts and anchors in bulk boxes online to tradies, makers and small manufacturers.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
A technician repairing a wheelchair wheel on a workbench in a workshop.

Mobile wheelchair and mobility aid repairs

Drive to homes and care facilities to fix and service wheelchairs, scooters and walkers on the spot.

  • A$6k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Home workshop wheelchair repairs

Repair and service wheelchairs and mobility aids from a garage or small workshop, with drop-off and pick-up.

  • A$2.5k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A cabinetmaker shaping wood on a workbench to build a fitted furniture unit.

Fitted cabinetry maker with a workshop

Make and install kitchens, wardrobes and built-ins for homeowners, builders and renovators.

  • A$20k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Coils of rubber hoses and brass fittings are stacked in a supplier's warehouse.

Mobile hose and fittings van

Drive to farms, workshops and worksites with hose stock, and make or replace hoses on the spot.

  • A$25k-80k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Online hose and fittings reseller

Sell hoses, clamps and fittings online to farms and tradies from home, posted from a small stock room.

  • A$3k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Hose and fittings trade counter

Run a small unit selling hose and fittings over the counter and making up hoses for local trades and farms.

  • A$40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Demolition excavator breaking down a building on a cleared urban site.

Residential demolition and site clearing

Take down houses, garages, sheds and pools for homeowners and builders, then clear the site.

  • A$30k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about

Strip-out and soft demolition

Remove old kitchens, walls, ceilings and fit-outs by hand for renovators and shop owners.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Electrician installing wiring in a fuse box inside a home.

Residential electrician for local homes

Install lighting, power points and switchboard upgrades for homeowners and landlords in your area.

  • A$6k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

About these ideas

Others suit people who prefer making or selling, like a custom furniture maker from a home workshop or a trade counter for paints and finishes. Before you compare ideas, think about the skills and experience you already have, how much equipment or stock you would need to buy, and whether you want to work on site, from a workshop or online. It also pays to check which licences, insurance and registrations apply to the work in your state or territory.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need a licence to start a trades business in Australia?

It depends on the trade and the state or territory. Some work, such as electrical or plumbing, usually needs a licence, while other work may not. Check with your state or territory licensing body before you quote for any job.

Should I start a trades business from home or rent premises?

Many people start from a home workshop or a vehicle to keep costs down. Check your local council's rules on home-based businesses, noise and deliveries, and compare that with the rent and fit-out costs of a unit or showroom.

What insurance should I look into for a trades business?

Common things to check include public liability, tools and equipment cover, vehicle insurance and workers compensation if you hire staff. Some trades or clients may also expect other cover, so ask an insurance broker what suits your work.