How to start a dress hire business in Australia
Last updated 2 November 2026
You need stock people rent for dated events, an ABN, a plan for cleaning between bookings, a clear damage policy, and a place customers find you and book. Most of the work after day one is logistics: cleaning days, postage and not double-booking a dress.
This is a general guide, not legal or tax advice. Check with the ATO and your accountant for your own situation.
Stock: start with what is asked for
Pick one or two categories you can do well: wedding guest, formal and black tie, bridal, races, menswear or maternity. Depth in the sizes people ask for beats one of everything. Record the retail price and the date you bought each piece, because you will need both for pricing and for damage claims.
ABN, GST and insurance
You need an ABN to trade as a business. You must register for GST once your turnover reaches the ATO threshold, currently $75,000 a year, and you can register earlier. Talk to a broker about stock cover and public liability. Ask whether your policy covers items while they are out with customers, as a home contents policy usually does not.
Cleaning and bookings
Block out a cleaning and turnaround gap between rentals. If you post, add postage days both ways. Our care guide covers cleaning. Without a shared calendar, double-bookings come from spreadsheets and DMs.
Damage and bonds
Decide your damage policy before the first booking. On Ourfit, no cash bond is taken: a card is held on file, claims need photos, and any damage charge is capped at the item's retail price.
Where customers come from
Instagram, word of mouth and Google. Our guide on getting found locally covers the Google and suburb side. On Ourfit your pieces sit in the same search as real wardrobes, by occasion, city and brand. See about.ourfit.app/for-businesses for what the platform includes.
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Frequently asked questions
- Do I need an ABN to rent out dresses?
- If you rent as a business, yes. If you occasionally lend your own wardrobe, ask your accountant whether it counts.
- Do I need to register for GST?
- Once your turnover reaches the ATO threshold, currently $75,000 a year. You can register earlier. Check with the ATO or your accountant.
- Can I list my business on Ourfit?
- Yes. Businesses can list their whole range. See about.ourfit.app/for-businesses.
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