Manufacturing business ideas you can start in Australia

210 ideas

Making things for a living can mean a spare-room sticker studio or a workshop with a few machines. This page lists 214 manufacturing ideas, including a home studio custom sticker maker, a small-batch precision machining workshop and made-to-order furniture from a home workshop.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
Stacked metal bars and sheets stored in a supplier's warehouse.

Online metal and fixings supplier for small workshops

Sell cut-to-size metal, fixings and consumables to small fabricators online, with stock sent direct from your wholesalers.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
Workers assembling timber roof trusses in a manufacturing workshop.

Small roof truss workshop

Make timber roof trusses to order for local builders, joiners and roofers from a rented industrial unit.

  • A$120k-300k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
A worker operating a lathe to shape a metal part in a machine shop.

Small machine shop for custom parts

Turn metal and plastic into one-off and short-run parts on lathes and mills for local businesses.

  • A$25k-120k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Home workshop machining for repairs and prototypes

Use a small bench lathe and mill in your shed to make repair parts and prototypes on the side.

  • A$6k-30k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A craftsman shaping a metal bracket at a bench in a small workshop.

Custom metal fabrication workshop

Make and repair gates, brackets and fittings for homes, farms and small businesses from a small rented unit.

  • A$8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Home workshop metal repairs and small jobs

Repair and make small metal items like brackets, trailer fittings and garden pieces from your own shed or garage.

  • A$1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Stainless steel food processing machine operating on a production line.

Mobile food machinery service and repair

Service, repair and install commercial food machines at customers' sites, and supply parts and refurbished units.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
A designer building a detailed architectural scale model of a building.

Prototype and product model workshop

Turn inventors' and product designers' sketches into prototypes and display models from a small workshop unit.

  • A$8k-40k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Stacked marble slabs and tiles displayed in a stone supplier's yard.

Marble sourcing for tradies and renovators

Source marble slabs and tiles from wholesalers and deliver to site, with no big yard to run.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Marble slab and tile yard with showroom

Hold marble slabs and tiles in a small unit or yard so tradies and homeowners can see and buy stock.

  • A$40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Engineer inspecting a precision machined metal component at a workbench.

Small-batch precision machining workshop

Machine accurate metal and plastic parts to customer drawings for local manufacturers and engineers.

  • A$40k-200k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Prototype and one-off parts machinist

Use a compact lathe or mill in a garage or shed to make prototypes and repair parts on the side.

  • A$8k-40k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Close-up of steel ball bearings arranged on a workbench in a workshop.

Online bearing supplier for workshops

Sell ball, roller and plain bearings online to local workshops, farms and garages, shipped direct from your supplier or a small home stock.

  • A$2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Online

Local bearing and industrial parts counter

Open a small trade counter stocking bearings, seals and belts for nearby garages, farms and factories, with same-day pick-up.

  • A$25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Copper stills and barrels inside a working distillery.

Spirit brand made at an existing distillery

Create your own gin or spirit recipe, make it at a host distillery and sell it without building your own plant.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A craftsman grinding and shaping a steel knife blade in a workshop.

Custom knife maker from a home workshop

Grind and finish chef, hunting and everyday knives in your shed or garage and sell them online and at markets.

  • A$2k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Forged knife maker with a workshop unit

Rent a small industrial unit, forge and grind knives for chefs and outdoor users, and sell direct and to local shops.

  • A$10k-40k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Watchmaker using a loupe to repair a mechanical watch movement at a bench.

Home-based watch and clock repair

Service and repair watches and clocks from a home workshop for private owners and local jewellers.

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

Watch and clock repair workshop

Run a small shopfront for walk-in battery changes, repairs and restorations of watches and clocks.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Mobile antique and grandfather clock service

Visit homes to service, set up and repair grandfather, wall and mantel clocks that are hard to move.

  • A$3k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Craftsman building a wooden guitar in a musical instrument workshop.

Custom guitar and ukulele maker

Build guitars, ukuleles or similar instruments to order from a home workshop for local players.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Small-batch instrument workshop

Rent a small unit and make a range of instruments in batches for music shops and online buyers.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Machinist working on a precision metal die in an industrial workshop.

Precision tool and die workshop

Make custom moulds, dies and jigs for local manufacturers from a small rented industrial unit.

  • A$80k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Tooling repair and fixture toolroom

Repair, sharpen and modify moulds and dies, and make jigs, from a small shared unit with second-hand machines.

  • A$25k-90k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises

About these ideas

They suit people with a trade, a craft or technical skill who want to sell something they produce, rather than their time alone. Before choosing, think about where the work will happen, how much equipment you need and whether you have a steady first customer, such as a local trade or retailer. Check noise, power, storage and insurance needs early, and ask your local council what rules apply to running production from home. Start with one product or service you can do well, then grow from there.

More ideas

Questions

How much space do I need to start a manufacturing business?

It depends on the idea. A sticker maker or lamination service may fit in a spare room, while machining or metalwork usually needs a garage or rented unit. Check your lease or council zoning, and plan for storage of materials and finished stock.

Do I need licences or insurance to make and sell products in Australia?

Requirements vary by product and location. Check with your local council, your state or territory regulator and an insurer about zoning, product safety, labelling and public liability cover. Some products also carry standards you may need to meet before selling.

How do I find my first customers as a small manufacturer?

Start with people who already buy what you make, such as local tradies, builders, shops or online buyers. Ask for small trial orders, show samples and quote clearly. Check whether a few repeat customers could cover your main costs before buying more equipment.