Small fireworks and effects company

Councils, event organisers, venues, sporting clubs, wedding and private clients, and film, TV or stage productions.

A fee per show covering design, stock, crew and permits, plus effects hire for stage and film jobs. Larger shows and repeat event contracts bring in more.

• Pyrotechnic licence and field experience
• Show design and safety planning
• Dealing with councils and event organisers
• Managing a small crew and suppliers

• Check with your state or territory regulator which licences apply. Expect to need licences for the people firing the displays, and possibly for the business and for storing and transporting explosives. Rules differ between states
• Insurance for pyrotechnics can be costly and hard to get, so get quotes before committing
• Start-up costs can add up quickly: approved explosives storage, a suitable vehicle, a firing system, initial stock, insurance and licence fees all need to be budgeted for
• Check what approvals each display needs. This can include notifying or getting permission from the council, emergency services and fire authorities, and sometimes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for shows near airports
• Check your state's workers compensation scheme before hiring staff, as employers usually need cover
• Bad weather, total fire bans and cancelled events can hit income

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on approved explosives storage, a suitable vehicle, a firing system, initial stock, insurance and licence fees. Get insurance quotes before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many displays you run and your client mix. Bad weather, total fire bans and cancelled events can affect income.

Check with your state or territory regulator which licences apply, as rules differ between states. Also check what approvals each display needs, such as council, emergency services, fire authorities and sometimes CASA for shows near airports.