10 Best Businesses to Start in Melbourne, Australia 2025
Melbourne, known for its vibrant culture and thriving economy, is an awesome spot to begin your entrepreneurial venture. This magnificent city is often ranked as the most liveable city in the world. It boasts a diverse population, strong infrastructure, and a supportive business environment for starting a successful business.
If you're considering launching your very own business in this bustling Australian city, here are the best business ideas to explore in Melbourne in 2025.
Best Businesses to Start in Melbourne: A Complete List
Coffee Shop or Specialty Cafe
Melbourne is known for its coffee culture, and opening a coffee shop can be a great venture. The city attracts a ton of foreigners who are eager to take a sip of Australian Coffee. Japanese cafes have taken the world by storm. Their uniqueness never fails to catch the attention of anyone that hears about them.
From cat cafes or anime-themed cafes to gaming cafes or forest cafes, there are different types to choose from. But no matter which one you choose to start, make sure to give it your own unique touch.
E-commerce and Online Retail
The rise of e-commerce and online shopping has unlocked new avenues for entrepreneurs. Setting up an online ordering system, to sell niche products to a target audience, can be a viable business idea. Focus on creating a seamless user experience, offering personalised recommendations, and providing exceptional customer service. This might as well be the best retail business to start in Melbourne.
Restaurant
Melbourne's multicultural nature makes it a foodie's paradise. So, the restaurant industry is also a very thriving one to get into. There are many steps that go into opening up a restaurant from choosing a strategic location to getting all your licences down. But if you want to explore the full process, check out our blog on “How to Start a Restaurant Business in Australia”.
Eco-Friendly Home Products and Services
With evolving times, people’s interests and concerns have changed as well. Sustainability has become a key concern for many households today. Taking this into consideration, starting a business in Melbourne that offers eco-friendly home products and services can be highly lucrative. This includes energy-efficient appliances, organic cleaning supplies, renewable energy installations, or sustainable home improvement services.
Educational Technology (EdTech) Platforms & Online Courses
With the advancement of technology, the demand for online learning and educational platforms is on the rise. Just look at Apple’s most recent product, the Apple Vision Pro. Augmented reality and virtual reality are the future of technology and there are a lot of business opportunities to look for.
Starting an EdTech platform that offers e-learning courses, tutorials, or educational apps can cater to the needs of today’s students. You could also begin with online tutoring and expand to vocational training in areas that you specialise.
Social Media Agency
In 2022, people spent an average of 147 minutes per day on social media. In this social media-addicted world, starting up a Social Media Agency can be a very lucrative business. Digital marketing, especially social media management, is essential for businesses today.
Start a social media agency that offers comprehensive social media marketing services to other businesses. Help them enhance their online presence and reach their target audience effectively. On top of being very profitable, a social media agency is also among the cheapest businesses to start in Melbourne.
Personalised Pet Services
Melbourne has a high pet ownership rate. And who wouldn’t want a cute little pup to accompany them everywhere they go? Most people living in Melbourne already own a pet, whether it's a cat, dog, or something else. This makes a pet-care service provider an ideal business to start in Melbourne, Australia. Offering personalised pet care services such as dog walking, pet grooming, or pet training can be a profitable business opportunity.
Offer Event Planning Services
Melbourne is known for its lively events and parties. So, setting up your own event planning business can work out pretty well. You can offer to plan corporate events, weddings, family meetings, concerts, and more. Establish connections with people like makeup artists, florists, etc. to make your event flawless.
Gym or Fitness Centre
Unlike the 1800s when most people’s jobs were physically demanding and that’s what kept them fit. Today jobs come with little to no physical movement. Especially in developed cities like Melbourne, most people just sit on a chair and work on their daily schedules.
That’s why people have developed concerns for their fitness and are pivoting more and more towards gyms and fitness centres. So, starting a gym can be a rewarding business opportunity. Invest in well-located premises, high-quality equipment, and skilled personal trainers. Consider extended trading hours to cater to a wide range of customers.
Florist
And finally, Melbourne's love for flowers makes the florist business an evergreen opportunity. Create stunning bouquets and offer door-to-door delivery services. Enhance your business by providing online booking options and catering to special occasions and events. Implement a florist POS system to manage sales and inventories from one robust system.
Things to Know Before Starting a Small Business in Melbourne
To make a successful entrepreneurial journey, there are a few things you need to know before starting a small business in Melbourne. Let’s go through them one by one:
Business Registration
You need to first register your business with the appropriate authorities before you begin any of your legal activities. In Australia, you can register your business name and obtain an Australian Business Number (ABN) through the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Additionally, you may need to register for Goods and Services Tax (GST) if your business meets certain criteria.
Melbourne-Specific Rules
Melbourne has specific regulations and requirements that may differ from other cities or regions. It's crucial to understand the local laws and regulations pertaining to your industry and business type. Make sure you’re familiar with all the Melbourne-specific permits, licences, and compliance requirements.
Business Software
Utilising efficient business software can significantly streamline your operations and save you tons. Point of Sale (POS) systems can help manage sales, inventory, and customer data. They also allow you to make transactions faster, your customers happier and your sales higher. If you are planning to start a cafe, get a cafe POS system and if you are thinking of a retail business, you can get a retail POS. It is always better to get software that aligns with your business. Moreover, look for a Melbourne-specific POS system so that whenever you need customer support, you can easily get it.
Market Research
Conduct thorough market research to understand your target audience, competitors, and industry trends in Melbourne. Identify your unique selling proposition (USP) and position your business accordingly. This research will help you tailor your offerings to meet the demands and preferences of Melbourne's diverse and dynamic market.
Budget Planning
No matter which business idea you choose to pursue, you will need some amount of budget to get started. It doesn’t necessarily have to be your money, as there are many ways to acquire a budget for your business from other sources like crowdfunding or investors. However, you will need to have proper planning for how you want to use your budget if you want your business to succeed.
Melbourne: The Hub for New Businesses
These were the ten business ideas for an aspiring entrepreneur like yourself. Whichever venture you aim for, make sure to add your own unique touch to it. Do proper market research to understand the demands of Melbourne’s residents. Finally, you’re ready to carve your path to success in Melbourne's thriving business landscape.
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