Rubbish removal with a ute and trailer
Pick up household junk, garden waste and renovation rubbish and take it to the tip or recycling.
- A$2k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small one-person rubbish removal service. You load unwanted items, green waste and building offcuts from homes and take them to a licensed tip, transfer station or recycler.
Your first three steps
- Check local tip and transfer station fees, opening hours and what they accept, then work out your price per load
- Get a ute or van and trailer set up, with tie-downs, a tarp and basic safety gear, and sort an ABN and insurance
- List yourself on local community groups and Google Business, and ask real estate agents and tradies if they need a regular rubbish contact
Who pays
Homeowners, renters moving out, landlords, real estate agents and small tradies who need site rubbish cleared.
How it makes money
A price per load or by volume (for example a quarter, half or full trailer), plus extra for heavy items or tip fees passed on to the customer.
Skills that help
- Physical fitness and safe lifting
- Sorting waste and knowing what can go where
- Quoting jobs and managing your time
Watch out for
- Check whether your state or territory EPA requires a licence or registration to transport certain waste
- Asbestos, chemicals and other hazardous waste usually need licensed specialists, so check what you must refuse
- Public liability and commercial vehicle insurance, and check your policy covers carrying waste
- Illegal dumping fines are heavy, so keep tip receipts as proof of lawful disposal
- Secure loads properly and stay within your vehicle's weight limits
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: rubbish removal with a ute and trailer
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a rubbish removal business with a ute?
Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $12,000, depending on your vehicle, trailer and equipment. Price public liability and commercial vehicle insurance early, and check your policy covers carrying waste.
How much revenue can a one-person rubbish removal service make?
Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many jobs you take and how many hours you work. The estimates start from about 10 hours a week, so quote each job carefully.
Do I need a licence for rubbish removal in Australia?
Check whether your state or territory EPA requires a licence or registration to transport certain waste. Asbestos, chemicals and other hazardous waste usually need licensed specialists, so check what you must refuse, and keep tip receipts as proof of lawful disposal.
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Photo: J_Blueberry on Pixabay