One furnished short-stay apartment

Business travellers, visiting families, people between homes and tourists, often booking on platforms or directly.

A nightly or weekly rate, with discounts for longer stays and sometimes a cleaning fee. Your costs are rent or mortgage, utilities, cleaning, linen and platform fees.

• Responsive to guest messages
• Organised with bookings and cleaning schedules
• Good eye for simple, comfortable furnishing

• Planning rules, strata by-laws or lease terms may limit or ban short stays, so check first
• Short-stay insurance, as standard home or landlord policies may not cover paying guests
• How GST and income tax apply to short-stay accommodation, so check with an accountant
• Fire safety, smoke alarm and safety requirements for your state
• Empty weeks, since rent still has to be paid in quiet seasons

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $4,000 to $18,000, depending on how much furnishing, linen and setup the apartment needs. Treat this as a guide and cost your own fit-out before you start.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your pricing and how often the apartment is booked. Hours start at about 6 per week, so it suits a side hustle.

Check planning rules, strata by-laws or lease terms first, as they may limit or ban short stays. Also check short-stay insurance, fire safety requirements for your state, how GST and income tax apply with an accountant, and plan for empty weeks when rent is still due.