Small-Batch Toy Maker with a Workshop Unit

Independent toy and gift shops, museum and tourist shops, early learning centres, schools and online customers.

Wholesale orders at a lower price per toy, direct online and market sales at full price, and custom or branded runs for organisations.

• Product design and prototyping
• Running production equipment
• Costing, pricing and selling to retailers

• Check the toy safety standards, testing and recall obligations that apply to products you supply to others
• Check council zoning and planning rules for your unit, plus fire safety and dust or fume controls
• Workers compensation insurance once you hire, plus public and product liability insurance
• Equipment costs and slow-paying wholesale customers can strain cash flow
• Register an ABN and check when GST applies

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your unit, production equipment and stock. Equipment costs can strain cash flow, so get quotes before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your wholesale accounts and online sales. This is an estimate, and it's a full-time model of about 30 hours a week.

Check the toy safety standards, testing and recall obligations for products you supply to others. Also check council zoning, planning and fire safety rules for your unit, and arrange workers compensation once you hire, plus public and product liability insurance.