Takeaway food van or trailer

Market and festival visitors, event organisers, office and industrial-estate workers, and people at sports clubs.

Meals and drinks sold at each trading session, plus catering fees for private events. Some sites charge a site fee or a share of sales.

• Fast, consistent cooking in a small space
• Planning stock for each event
• Customer service
• Driving and setting up equipment

• Mobile food premises registration with the council, plus food safety supervisor rules, which differ by state
• Council permits for street trading, and event or market site fees
• Gas and electrical safety checks on the fit-out, and vehicle registration and insurance
• Public liability insurance, and workers compensation if you hire
• Weather and quiet event days can swing income a lot
• Early starts, prep time and cleaning outside trading hours

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the vehicle or trailer, the fit-out and your equipment. Also allow for vehicle registration, insurance and gas and electrical safety checks.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the events and spots you trade at and your menu. Weather and quiet event days can swing income a lot, and site fees come out of it.

Things to check: mobile food premises registration with the council and food safety supervisor rules, which differ by state. Also check council permits for street trading, event or market site fees, public liability insurance and gas and electrical safety.