Top 10 Small Business Ideas in Australia You Can Start Today

The biggest hurdle to starting a business isn't finding the money. It's choosing the right idea that actually generates profit in the Australian market.

This guide will share 10 of the most promising business ideas to help you find the right way to make money.

1. Create Custom Products

Create custom products is focused on customizing blank or basic items by adding your own unique designs. People love buying things that feel unique or personal, and it's a space where you're not trying to compete with Kmart. In fact, a 2024 PwC survey found that 76% of Aussie shoppers are willing to pay more for products that are locally sourced.

You could design custom surfboard racks, create unique phone cases with your original art, or print on mugs and keychains with local landmarks. The profit margin is just so much better because you're selling a unique design, not just a product.

2. Sell Handcrafted items

Unlike the custom products, this business focuses on creating unique items entirely by hand. Australian have a real love for quality handmade items. You just have to visit a packed weekend market like Kirribilli in Sydney or the Eumundi Markets on the Sunshine Coast to see the demand.

A great way to start is by testing your products at a local weekend market. You'll get instant, honest feedback from customers. Once you know what people love, you can set up a shop on Etsy, or use a dedicated Australian platform like Madeit.

The key is to lean into your story. Customers enjoy supporting small businesses with a real person behind them, not just a large corporation.

Source: Tasmanian Craft Fair

3. Start Print-on-demand

Want to sell products but don't want to buy expensive machines or hold piles of stock? You must try print-on-demand. The Australian print-on-demand market is growing like mad-it's forecast to grow by over 24% every year for the next few years.

This is one of the best small business ideas from home because it takes away the risk and costs of inventory. Start by partnering with major global platforms that handle the logistics, such as Printful or Printify, or opt for local providers like The Print Bar or OGO for faster domestic shipping and Australian-preferred product quality.

These services integrate directly with e-commerce platforms like Shopify, allowing you to upload your designs, automate order fulfillment, and ship to Australian customers with minimal effort. This low-risk approach is ideal for first-time entrepreneurs testing the market.

4. Offer Pet Services

Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. We're talking nearly 70% of all households and almost 29 million pets. If you love animals and have experience caring for pets, offering pet-related services could be a great idea.

For example, pet sitting, dog walking (especially during the workday), home feeding, and specialised pet grooming are all highly sought after.

Also, you could consider high-end services like luxury pet spas or services catering to farm animals (e.g., horses, hobby farms) in regional areas.

Pro Tip: Having a Pet First Aid Certificate can be a major selling point for nervous pet owners.

5. Become a Tour Guide

Australia attracts thousands of tourists each year. If you're familiar with the country's culture and enjoy sharing travel experiences, becoming a local tour guide could be a rewarding business.

You could create personalized travel plans based on different cultural interests, giving tourists an experience like a local. Tourists are looking for unique, "local-like" experiences. Focus on niche tours, such as a small-group Aboriginal cultural walking tour, a boutique wine and food trail, or a specific city street art tour. By focusing on deep, memorable experiences, you can help tourists discover not just sites, but also the perfect Australia Souvenir to take home.

Don't forget use platforms like Airbnb Experiences and GetYourGuide to market your unique, personalised plans.

Source: pattyjansen

6. Start Photography Services

Many tourists want to capture unforgettable moments during their visit to Australia. If photography is your passion, offering services to tourists could be a great fit.

Additionally, don't forget the highly lucrative local market: weddings, events, real estate marketing, and professional corporate headshots. To truly stand out, you could utilize a UV printer to offer clients customised, high-quality photo products, such as wooden prints, ensuring an exclusive and premium keepsake that generic print shops cannot match.

7. Offer Home Cleaning Services

This is a unique small business idea you can genuinely start this weekend. It's a huge, $18 billion industry in Australia and it keeps growing steadily. No special skills needed. Cleaning is a task many Australian families prefer to outsource, and they are willing to pay well for it.

We've seen people get their first clients simply by posting on Airtasker or in local Facebook groups. The key to success in this business is reliability. If you show up on time and do a great job, you'll quickly build a base of regular clients.

8. Start Online Education

If you're interested in online business ideas, consider starting online education. The Aussie e-learning market is valued at over $10 billion and is forecast to grow at around 12% per year. You can create courses based on skills you're good at and sell them to a wide audience.

You could offer courses in areas like languages, music, business, programming, and more.

Also, you could focus on skills in high demand locally, such as Australian Tax and Superannuation basics for migrants, HSC and VCE subject tutoring, trades and vocational skills training, or specialised skills like 3D or UV printing for custom product design.

High-quality courses will help you build your own brand.

9. Provide Digital Marketing Services

Digital marketing is an important part of business. Many small businesses are constantly looking for affordable ways to promote themselves and build their brand online.

If you possess digital skills and do not wish to pursue any of the physical or handcrafted business ideas on this list, this is one of the best ideas for a small business for you. If you are familiar with SEO, advertising, or social media marketing, you can specialise in helping local businesses with challenges like optimising Google My Business profiles and running targeted local ad campaigns.

10. Build as an Influencer

If you enjoy platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, you can turn your passion into a business by becoming a content creator. To gain momentum quickly, focus on novel ideas and untapped niches that capture viewer attention, such as budget grocery hauls, sustainable living, or Australian travel and camping life. A particularly engaging new avenue is highly personalised DIY and crafting.

A great way to boost fan loyalty is by making high-quality, personalised gifts for your dedicated followers. Showing the process of creating these small, custom pieces, like unique keychains or tokens, drives strong engagement.

You can use a printer like the eufyMake E1 UV printer to print your unique designs directly onto small items, making the gifts feel special and high-quality.

This business idea helps you make money through sponsored content, selling your products, and promoting the tools you use.

FAQs

Is $5000 enough to start a business?

Of course, you can choose some low-cost business projects to start with, such as print-on-demand, photography, or online education. These business require minimal startup capital and can become profitable quickly.

What is the most profitable small business in Australia?

The most profitable small business in Australia is creating custom products. Australians love unique, personalized items. If you have excellent creativity, you can earn significant profits. High-quality prints allow you to set higher prices. You can try the eufyMake E1, which offers low-cost options for creating high-quality custom products.

Which business is best for daily income?

Home Cleaning or Pet Services is best for daily income. When you offer these services, you get paid right away, either by the hour or for the completed job. Because people always need help with cleaning and pet care, this business idea gives you the most reliable money every single day.