Water ski club with your own tow boat

Regular members, families, school-age skiers wanting coaching, and groups booking events or social days.

Annual or monthly memberships, session fees, lesson packages and event entry or group booking fees. Membership gives steadier income than one-off sessions.

• Boat handling and basic maintenance
• Coaching and encouraging all abilities
• Running a membership and bookings
• Managing volunteers or casual staff

• Boat purchase, insurance, fuel, storage and maintenance are large ongoing costs, so test demand before buying
• Check with your state's marine authority and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority about licensing, vessel standards and rules for paid or commercial use
• Public liability, participant accident and vessel insurance, plus waivers and a written safety plan
• A working with children check and coach accreditation may be needed for junior programmes, so check your state's rules
• If you hire staff, check workers compensation requirements in your state
• Income is seasonal and weather-dependent in many areas

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $30,000 to $120,000, depending mainly on the boat, gear, insurance and storage. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on membership numbers, lessons and events. Test demand before buying a boat.

Check with your state's marine authority and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority about licensing, vessel standards and rules for paid or commercial use. Also check whether you need a working with children check and coach accreditation for junior programmes, plus workers compensation if you hire staff.

Useful skills include boat handling and basic maintenance, coaching all abilities, running memberships and bookings, and managing volunteers or casual staff. Time is estimated at around 15 hours a week at minimum, and income is seasonal and weather-dependent in many areas.