Perth is a good city for a small business right now. The population is growing faster than in any other Australian capital, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics putting the 2023-24 increase at around 3.1%. More people in Perth means more demand for cleaners, tutors, mobile services, online help and local food. This guide lists 22 business ideas in Perth that need little money to begin, and most can run from home or from a van.
For each idea you will see who it suits, what the startup costs look like and the first step to take. You will also find what to sort out in Western Australia before you trade, such as an ABN and approval for a home-based business. If you want to start a business in Perth without a big loan, begin with the list below. Some tool links in this guide are affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
All 22 Business Ideas in Perth at a Glance
Here are all 22 business ideas in Perth in one list. Each idea has its own review below with a short description, a table with cost and timing, and a list of pros and cons. Costs are rough and depend on your equipment, insurance and how fast you grow.
- Online Store and Dropshipping – Sell all over Australia from a spare room
- Freelance Web Design and Hosting – Websites for local tradies, clinics and cafes
- Online Tutoring, Courses and Coaching – Lessons, courses and coaching
- Print-on-Demand and T-Shirt Design – Custom shirts and mugs with no stock
- Domain Name Flipping – Buy and resell good domain names
- Virtual Assistant Services – Admin help for busy owners
- Bookkeeping for Perth Small Businesses – Monthly books and reports for sole traders
- Local SEO and Digital Marketing – Google rankings for local businesses
- Social Media Management – Posts and ads for local shops
- Mobile Car Detailing and Car Wash – Cleans cars at homes and offices
- Home and Commercial Cleaning – Regular visits for homes and offices
- Dog Walking and Mobile Grooming – Daily care for busy owners’ dogs
- Solar Panel Cleaning – Keeps rooftop panels working well
- Handyman and Small Home Jobs – Repairs and small jobs around the house
- Mobile Massage and Wellness – Treatment at home or at work
- Home Baking and Market Stalls – Cakes and bread sold at weekend markets
- Meal Prep Service – Weekly healthy food delivered
- Mobile Coffee Cart – Coffee at events and building sites
- Vintage and Second-Hand Store – Retro clothes and homewares
- NDIS and Aged Care Services – Home support for older people and people with a disability
- Family Day Care – Care for a small group of children at home
- Pilates or Allied Health Studio – Memberships and class packs
Why Perth Is a Good Place to Start a Business
Perth has the numbers to back a new small business. The 3.1% population growth in 2023-24 was the fastest among the capital cities. Western Australia has more than 238,000 small businesses, and around 97% of all businesses in the state count as small. The state treasury expects the economy to grow by about 2.25% in 2025-26.
The city is also far from Sydney and Melbourne, which works in two ways. Customers prefer to buy from local owners, and many services cannot be delivered from the east coast. The flip side is a smaller market, so you need to know your suburbs and your regular customers well.
Local habits help too. Perth has a strong coffee and cafe culture, a lot of dog owners, plenty of weekend markets and many fly-in fly-out families who need help at home while one partner is away. Each of these creates steady demand for a specific type of small business.
Best Perth Suburbs and Local Markets for a New Business
Where you trade in Perth shapes which idea works. Inner suburbs such as Subiaco and Northbridge suit cafes, studios and anyone who sells to office workers and young professionals. Outer northern suburbs like Joondalup attract many families, which helps tutors, family day care and services for children. In the south and the hills, mobile trades and market stalls do well because homes are spread out and owners like a service that comes to the door.
Weekend markets give you a cheap way to test a product. Fremantle Markets and the Kalamunda Farmers Market draw regular crowds, so a stall shows you what people will pay before you set up a shop or an online store. Fly-in fly-out households live across the Perth metro area, so cleaning, lawn care and home help sell well in suburbs where one partner is often away on site.
Before you pick a suburb, search Google Maps for your trade plus the suburb name. A handful of busy competitors usually means demand exists. An empty map can mean a gap or can mean no customers, so ask a few residents in local Perth Facebook groups before you spend money.
What You Need Before You Start a Business in Perth
The paperwork in Western Australia is lighter than most people expect. Most of the ideas below need only an ABN, a business name and insurance. A few need extra approval, so read the review of your idea below to see what applies.
ABN, GST and Business Name
Sole traders can apply for an ABN for free through business.gov.au. You only need to register for GST once your turnover reaches $75,000, although some owners register earlier. If you trade under a name that is not your own, register that name as well. Open a separate bank account from day one, because it makes tax time much easier.
Home-Based Business Approval From the City of Perth
Running a business from your house can need council approval, depending on the type of work and the local planning scheme. The City of Perth lists a home-based business approval fee of $222 for 2025-26. Other councils in Greater Perth set their own rules, so call your local council before you advertise. The state register of licences and permits at wa.gov.au shows what applies to your trade.
Free Help From the Small Business Development Corporation
The Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) is the state agency for new owners. It runs free and low-cost workshops, publishes a guide to starting a business and offers a Business Licence Finder that lists the permits your trade needs. You can reach an adviser by phone, email or in person. It is worth a call before you spend money on equipment.
Best Business Ideas in Perth to Start With Our Recommended Tools
These five business ideas in Perth are built around tools that let you start fast and cheaply: an online store, a hosted website, a course platform, a design tool and a domain name. If you want a low-cost start with a clear first step, begin here, then read the other ideas further down.
1. Online Store and Dropshipping
An online store lets you sell to all of Australia from a spare room. Dropshipping keeps your costs down because the supplier ships the product for you. A store builder like Shopify gets you live in a weekend.
Pick a narrow niche, such as pet accessories or eco cleaning products, so you are not competing on price with big retailers. Watch supplier delivery times, because Australian buyers expect fast shipping.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $500 to $2,000 |
| Time to first customer | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Income model | Product margins |
| Best for | People who can pick a clear niche |
Pros
- No stock to hold with dropshipping
- Sells to all of Australia
- Store builders are easy to learn
Cons
- Margins are thin on common products
- Supplier delays upset customers
- Ads can eat the profit
2. Freelance Web Design and Hosting
Local tradies, cafes, clinics and trainers across Perth all need a website that loads fast and works on a phone. If you can build in WordPress or Webflow, you can charge by the project or sell a monthly care plan for updates and backups.
Start by building two or three sample sites for imaginary Perth businesses. Our guide on how to start an online business in Trinidad shows how the same freelance model works in a smaller market. Host client sites on Hostinger, which has affordable plans, a site builder and WordPress options, and register each client domain with Namecheap or a similar registrar. Aim at one niche, such as plumbers or physios, so your marketing is easier.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | Under $500 |
| Time to first customer | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Income model | Per project or monthly care plans |
| Best for | Designers who like clean layouts |
Pros
- Very low startup costs
- Works fully from home
- Care plans create monthly income
- Portfolio sites double as marketing
Cons
- Early projects can pay little
- Clients expect fast changes
3. Online Tutoring, Courses and Coaching
Parents in Perth pay for help with maths, science, English, music and coding, and many lessons now run over video. You can also coach adults in a skill you have, such as resume writing, fitness or language practice.
Register with a tutoring platform to find first students, then move regulars to your own booking page. A course or email list can be set up with Systeme.io. If you are young and want to try it early, read how to start an online business under 18. Check the Working with Children Check rules before you teach minors.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | Under $300 |
| Time to first customer | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Income model | Per lesson or monthly packages |
| Best for | Teachers and subject experts |
Pros
- Very low startup costs
- Parents pay for steady weekly lessons
- Online lessons reach all of Australia
- Regulars refer other families
Cons
- Income depends on your hours
- Working with Children Check rules apply
4. Print-on-Demand and T-Shirt Design
Custom shirts, mugs and posters sell well for sports clubs, school events and gifts. With print-on-demand, a partner prints and ships each order, so you never hold stock. Design in Canva or a similar tool, upload to a print service and sell through your own store or a marketplace.
Local themes work well, like Perth beaches, quokkas or football clubs. Start with five to ten designs and keep the ones that sell. For more small-budget product ideas, see these online business ideas in Kenya.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | Under $300 |
| Time to first customer | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Income model | Per item sold |
| Best for | Creative people with simple design skills |
Pros
- No stock and almost no setup cost
- Local designs have a clear audience
- Designs can be reused for years
Cons
- Margins per item are small
- Needs steady traffic to make sales
5. Domain Name Flipping
Domain flipping means buying good domain names and selling them for more. A short name tied to a trade or a suburb, such as a plumber or a cafe name idea, can sell to a local business that wants a clean web address.
Register names on Namecheap, park them with a simple sales page and list them on a domain marketplace. A .com.au name needs an ABN or another Australian link, so check which names you can hold. Start with a handful of names and learn what sells before you buy more.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | Under $300 |
| Time to first customer | 1 to 6 months |
| Income model | One-off sales or yearly renewals |
| Best for | Patient people with an eye for names |
Pros
- Very low startup costs
- Works fully from home
- One good sale can pay for many names
Cons
- Sales can take months
- Renewal fees add up on names that do not sell
Home-Based and Online Business Ideas in Perth
These four home-based business ideas in Perth also need only a laptop, an internet connection and a skill that people will pay for. Perth businesses of every size need this kind of help, and you can work with clients anywhere in Australia once you have a few referrals.
6. Virtual Assistant Services
Small business owners in Perth lose hours to emails, bookings, invoices and social media. A virtual assistant takes that work off them for a monthly retainer or an hourly rate, often between $25 and $60 an hour.
Startup costs stay under $500 because you only need a computer and a few subscriptions. Pick a specialty, for example real estate agents or trades, and build a simple page that lists your packages. Read more about the role in this guide to the online business manager, which is the next step up from a virtual assistant.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | Under $500 |
| Time to first customer | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Income model | Hourly rates or monthly retainers |
| Best for | Organised people with admin skills |
Pros
- Almost no setup cost
- Works fully from home
- Skills carry over from office jobs
- Retainers give steady income
Cons
- Hourly pricing caps your income
- Needs a steady flow of new clients early on
7. Bookkeeping for Perth Small Businesses
Sole traders and small companies in Perth need someone to track expenses, send invoices and prepare reports. Learn Xero or MYOB, take a short course if you lack formal training and offer fixed monthly packages.
If you want to lodge BAS for clients, you need to register as a BAS agent. The work is steady, because owners rarely switch bookkeepers once they trust one. Good places to find your first clients are local business groups and accountants who prefer to hand off the routine work.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $200 to $800 |
| Time to first customer | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Income model | Monthly packages |
| Best for | Detail-minded people who like numbers |
Pros
- Low startup costs
- Clients rarely switch once they trust you
- Fixed monthly fees are predictable
- Accountants can send you referrals
Cons
- BAS lodging needs agent registration
- Busy periods around tax time
8. Local SEO and Digital Marketing
A plumber who wants to rank for emergency plumber Perth is the classic client. You help local businesses get found on Google through a better Google Business Profile, local pages, reviews and content.
Tools cost a few hundred dollars a year, and results build over several months, so offer a monthly retainer. Start with a free website check for a few businesses you know, then turn the best result into a case study.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $300 to $1,500 |
| Time to first customer | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Income model | Monthly retainers |
| Best for | Marketers who can show results |
Pros
- Local businesses always need leads
- Retainers build recurring income
- Free site checks make easy sales pitches
- Case studies sell new clients
Cons
- Results take months to appear
- Clients can leave if rankings stall
9. Social Media Management
Many Perth cafes, salons and tradies know they should post online but lack the time. You plan content, schedule posts, reply to messages and report on results. Use Canva for templates so each client gets a consistent look without hours of design work.
Offer two or three tiers, from basic posting to a full package with ads. A short portfolio of before and after pages from a few local clients is the quickest way to win larger accounts.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | Under $500 |
| Time to first customer | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Income model | Monthly retainers |
| Best for | People with a strong eye for content |
Pros
- Low startup costs
- Local owners need the help
- Templates can be reused across clients
- Monthly fees give predictable income
Cons
- Results take weeks to appear
- Clients may leave if growth is slow
Service Business Ideas in Perth
Perth is spread out, and people are busy, so mobile services do well. Most of these ideas need a vehicle, basic equipment and public liability insurance. Word of mouth drives work in most suburbs, so reliable service pays off.
10. Mobile Car Detailing and Car Wash
Plenty of Perth drivers want a clean car but have no time to queue at a car wash.
A mobile detailer travels to homes and offices with water, a vacuum and quality products. Equipment is the main cost, and margins are strong because you sell time and skill. Offer packages for interior, exterior and full detail, then add a subscription for fleet clients and small businesses.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Time to first customer | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Income model | Per job or subscriptions |
| Best for | People who like hands-on work |
Pros
- Strong margins on each job
- Customers come to you
- Fleet and office clients give repeat work
- Easy to explain and advertise
Cons
- Equipment and insurance cost money
- Weather can cancel jobs
11. Home and Commercial Cleaning
Cleaning has steady demand, and many owners start alone and hire later. Residential clients want regular visits, while offices and clinics sign contracts for evenings.
In Perth, fly-in fly-out families are a good niche because they need reliable help while one partner is on site. Add extras like end-of-lease cleaning, oven cleaning and windows to raise the value of each job. Insurance and good references matter more than fancy equipment.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $500 to $2,000 |
| Time to first customer | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Income model | Hourly rates or regular contracts |
| Best for | Reliable people who can build trust |
Pros
- Low equipment costs
- Demand stays steady all year
- Contracts bring repeat income
- Easy to hire help later
Cons
- Physical work with long hours
- Needs insurance and good references
12. Dog Walking and Mobile Grooming
Perth has many dog owners, and long work hours leave dogs waiting at home.
Walking and pet sitting need almost no equipment, and you can grow into mobile grooming or training. Send owners photo updates and offer discounts for two dogs. Check council rules on how many dogs you can walk at once, and take out insurance that covers animals in your care.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $500 to $2,000 |
| Time to first customer | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Income model | Per walk or monthly plans |
| Best for | Animal lovers with flexible days |
Pros
- Almost no equipment needed
- Regular weekday demand
- Easy to add grooming later
Cons
- Council limits on dogs per walk
- Insurance must cover animals in your care
13. Solar Panel Cleaning
Rooftop solar is common across Perth, and dust and bird droppings cut how much power the panels produce.
A cleaning service offers one-off jobs and yearly plans for homes and small commercial roofs. You need a long pole system or safe roof access, insurance and training for working at heights. Many owners also add gutter cleaning, which fills the quiet months of the year.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $2,000 to $8,000 |
| Time to first customer | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Income model | Per clean or yearly plans |
| Best for | Safe and tidy workers |
Pros
- Solar is common across the city
- Yearly plans bring repeat work
- Few competitors in many suburbs
Cons
- Working at heights training is needed
- Roof work carries safety risks
14. Handyman and Small Home Jobs
Painting, furniture assembly, repairs, shelf fitting and garden tidy-ups keep a handyman in Perth busy.
Many homeowners will pay a fair rate to avoid the weekend chore. Be clear about what you can do, because electrical and plumbing work needs a licence in Western Australia. Free quotes and clear pricing build trust, and platforms like Airtasker can bring in your first customers.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $500 to $3,000 |
| Time to first customer | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Income model | Hourly rates or fixed quotes |
| Best for | People with practical skills |
Pros
- Constant demand for small jobs
- Low equipment costs
- Platforms can bring first customers
Cons
- Electrical and plumbing work needs a licence
- Jobs are often one-off
15. Mobile Massage and Wellness
Office workers in the Perth CBD, athletes and older clients like treatment at home or at work. A portable table and a calm manner are the main startup costs, plus qualifications and insurance. Corporate chair massage at workplaces gives you regular bookings.
You can add stretch therapy or breathwork sessions once you have a client base.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $500 to $2,500 |
| Time to first customer | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Income model | Per session or corporate bookings |
| Best for | Qualified therapists |
Pros
- Low equipment costs
- Corporate chair massage gives regular bookings
- Clients rebook often
Cons
- Qualifications and insurance are required
- Physically tiring work
Food and Retail Business Ideas in Perth
Food and retail need more care with permits and stock, but Perth shoppers like local products. These four ideas let you test the market before taking on a lease.
16. Home Baking and Market Stalls
Cakes, cookies, bread and gift boxes can start from a home kitchen once your council approves the premises.
Sell through Instagram, Facebook and weekend markets such as Fremantle or Kalamunda, where you meet buyers face to face. Price your products with the cost of ingredients, packaging and your time. Strong photos and a short menu of signature items matter more than a long list.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $500 to $2,500 |
| Time to first customer | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Income model | Per item sold |
| Best for | Bakers with a short signature menu |
Pros
- Low startup costs
- Markets show you what sells
- Strong photos help social sales
- Gift boxes raise the price of each sale
Cons
- Needs council approval for the kitchen
- Stall fees and early mornings
17. Meal Prep Service
Busy professionals and gym members across Perth want healthy food ready to eat.
A meal prep business cooks weekly menus and delivers them to homes or offices. Special diets like vegan, gluten-free and high protein give you an easy way to stand out. You will need a registered kitchen and food safety training, so check the rules before you sign up customers.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $3,000 to $10,000 |
| Time to first customer | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Income model | Weekly subscriptions |
| Best for | Cooks who like planning |
Pros
- Weekly customers give steady income
- Special diets help you stand out
- Can sell to offices and gyms
Cons
- Needs a registered kitchen
- Food costs and waste cut margins
18. Mobile Coffee Cart
Perth loves its coffee, and a mobile cart costs far less than a shopfront.
Set up at markets, building sites, sports events and corporate days, then take bookings for private functions. You need a cart or van, a quality machine, a food registration and event permits. Build a loyal following by posting your locations on social media each week.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $8,000 to $30,000 |
| Time to first customer | 6 to 12 weeks |
| Income model | Per cup and event bookings |
| Best for | Baristas and people who like events |
Pros
- Costs far less than a shopfront
- Events and markets bring bookings
- Easy to build a loyal following
Cons
- Needs food registration and event permits
- Quiet weeks hurt cash flow
19. Vintage and Second-Hand Store
Buyers care more about sustainability, and second-hand fashion and homewares keep growing across Australia, including Perth.
Source stock from op shops, markets and online auctions, then sell through Instagram, an online store or a pop-up stall. Pick one style, such as retro clothes or mid-century furniture, so your shop feels curated. Tell the story behind each piece, because it helps justify the price.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $1,000 to $5,000 |
| Time to first customer | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Income model | Per item sold |
| Best for | Collectors with a good eye |
Pros
- Low stock costs
- Sustainable shopping keeps growing
- Stories behind each piece justify the price
Cons
- Sourcing takes time
- Stock sells at uneven rates
Care, Health and Education Business Ideas in Perth
An ageing population and a growing number of young families keep these fields busy. They need more setup time and compliance, but the demand is steady and the work is meaningful.
20. NDIS and Aged Care Services
In-home support for older Australians and people with a disability is one of the fastest growing service sectors. Your work can include personal care, household help, transport and community access.
You need to understand NDIS registration, staff screening and record keeping before you start. Many new Perth providers begin as a sole trader support worker and then hire a small team.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $2,000 to $10,000 |
| Time to first customer | 6 to 12 weeks |
| Income model | Hourly rates paid by funding |
| Best for | Caring people with the right checks |
Pros
- Demand is high and growing
- Many providers start as sole traders
- Work is meaningful
Cons
- Registration and screening take time
- Record keeping is strict
21. Family Day Care
Working parents in Perth need flexible and trusted childcare.
Family day care lets you care for a small group of children in your own home, working under an approved service that handles compliance. Startup costs are low compared with a centre, but you need safe premises and the right checks and qualifications. For other ways to earn while working with young people, see these ideas for business ideas working with kids.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $500 to $3,000 |
| Time to first customer | 8 to 16 weeks |
| Income model | Weekly fees per child |
| Best for | Patient people with safe premises |
Pros
- Low startup costs compared with a centre
- Work from your own home
- An approved service handles compliance
Cons
- Long hours with young children
- Premises must pass safety checks
22. Pilates or Allied Health Studio
Pilates, physiotherapy, chiropractic and similar clinics grow with the focus on health and recovery. Studios bring in regular income from memberships and class packs. This is the most expensive idea on the list, because of equipment, a lease and insurance, so many owners start by renting a room in a shared clinic.
Build referral links with local Perth doctors and personal trainers.
| Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical startup cost | $15,000 to $60,000 |
| Time to first customer | 3 to 6 months |
| Income model | Memberships and class packs |
| Best for | Qualified instructors and clinicians |
Pros
- Memberships give regular income
- Referrals from doctors and trainers
- Premium prices for skilled care
Cons
- Equipment, lease and insurance are costly
- Needs qualifications
Buying a Business or Franchise in Perth
If you have a bigger budget, buying an existing business can be faster than building one. You take over customers, staff and income on day one. Listings of businesses for sale in Perth range from cafes and pet shops to cleaning rounds and trade services. One large listing site puts the average asking price of a Perth business at roughly $693,000, so prices vary a lot by industry and size.
A franchise is another route. You pay a fee and follow a proven system, with training and brand support. Common franchise opportunities in Perth include cleaning, food, fitness and home care. Whichever path you choose, hire an accountant and a lawyer to review the accounts and the contract, and speak to a licensed business broker before you commit.
How to Choose the Right Business Idea in Perth
A long list can be confusing, so narrow it down with a few questions. What skills do you already have? How much can you put in without stress? How many hours a week can you give? Does your part of Perth have enough customers? A simple test is to ask five people whether they would pay for your service, and at what price.
Look at your local competition on Google Maps and in Facebook groups. If a dozen businesses already do the same thing, find a niche, like pet-friendly cleaning or bookkeeping for tradies. For more on picking and testing an idea, read this page on business ideas application. Start small, keep your day job if you need to, and add clients one by one.
Most Profitable Business Ideas in Perth
Profit depends on pricing, hours and overheads more than on the idea itself. Still, some work keeps higher margins because you sell skill and not stock. A Perth business valuation firm lists margins of roughly 15% to 40% for digital marketing, 15% to 30% for professional services such as bookkeeping, 10% to 28% for cleaning, 10% to 15% for childcare and 5% to 20% for food businesses, where ingredients and wages take a big share.
That is why many of the profitable picks on this list are service jobs you run alone at the start. Web design, local SEO, bookkeeping and mobile detailing carry few overheads, and you can raise prices as your calendar fills. A product business can be profitable too, but only if you buy well and keep returns low. Whichever of the best business ideas in Perth you choose, track your hours, because a profitable business on paper can still pay badly per hour.
Tools to Start Your Business Online
Most of the business ideas in Perth above need a website, a domain and a few design tools. These are the ones we would use. Each one can be started on a free trial or a low monthly plan.
Shopify for Your Online Store
Shopify lets you build a store, take payments and manage orders without coding. It suits product sellers, print-on-demand shops and dropshippers who want a clean store quickly.
Hostinger for Web Hosting
Hostinger offers affordable hosting plans for service businesses that need a simple site, such as web designers, cleaners and bookkeepers. It also has a site builder and WordPress options.
Namecheap for Domain Names
A domain name is the first purchase for any online business. Namecheap sells many domain types at a low price. A .com.au domain needs an ABN or another Australian link, so check which registrar sells the one you want.
Canva for Logos and Social Posts
Canva covers logos, flyers, social posts, menus and print designs. The free plan is enough to start, and the paid plan adds brand kits and extra templates.
Systeme.io for Courses and Email
Systeme.io brings together a website, email lists, sales funnels and online courses. It suits tutors, coaches and anyone selling a digital product to a list.
Funding and Support for New Businesses in WA
You do not have to pay for everything out of savings. The SBDC offers free advice and workshops across Western Australia, and the City of Perth runs a program called Fill this Space that gives start-ups short-term, rent-free use of empty buildings so they can test an idea. Council and state grants change often, so check current rounds before you plan around one. Many Perth owners also start part-time to keep their income steady while the business grows.
Conclusion
The best business ideas in Perth match a real local need with a skill you already have. Online services and mobile trades are the low-cost options, while food, care and studios take more time and money. Pick one idea, register your ABN, check the approvals for your idea and land your first three customers before you spend on anything big. If you are comparing markets, see how business ideas in the Netherlands differ from what works in Western Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best business to start in Perth?
The best choice depends on your skills and budget. Cleaning, bookkeeping, virtual assistant work, tutoring and mobile car detailing are popular because the startup costs are low and local demand is steady. Pick the one that matches work you already do well and try it part-time first.
How much does it cost to start a small business in Perth?
Costs range from under $500 for online services such as virtual assistant work to $10,000 or more for studios and food vans. Add an ABN, insurance, equipment and marketing. A home-based approval from the City of Perth is listed at $222 for 2025-26.
Do I need a licence to run a business from home in Perth?
Many home-based businesses need council approval, and some trades need a licence, such as electrical and plumbing work. Food businesses must register with the local council. Check the state licence finder and call your council before you start advertising.
What are the best side hustles in Perth?
Good side hustles include dog walking, tutoring, virtual assistant work, handyman jobs, baking for markets and reselling second-hand items. They fit around a job because you control your hours. Start with one and add more only when you have regular customers.
Can I start a business in Perth with no experience?
Yes, if you choose an idea that is easy to learn. Dog walking, cleaning and reselling need little training. For bookkeeping, care or trades you need qualifications first. Take a short course, work for someone else for a while and start with a few clients.
Is it better to buy a business or start one in Perth?
Starting is cheaper and has less risk if you have little capital. Buying gives you customers and income from day one but costs much more. Look at the accounts, the lease and the staff before you buy, and get advice from an accountant and a broker.
What grants and support can new businesses in WA get?
The Small Business Development Corporation offers free advice, workshops and a licence finder. The City of Perth supports start-ups with programs like Fill this Space. Grant rounds change often, so check the state and council websites for what is open now.
Which online business ideas work best in Perth?
Freelance web design, local SEO, virtual assistant work, bookkeeping and online tutoring work well because clients can be found both in Perth and across Australia. An online store can also work if you choose a clear niche and a reliable supplier.
