Australian Couple Earns Over A$120,000 Annually from Low-Effort Laundromat Side Business

In Australia, a young couple has transformed a seemingly modest laundromat into a highly profitable venture, generating around A$120,000 (approximately NT$2.69 million) in revenue within a single year. Lyanne Nguyen, 26, and her boyfriend Andy Chiem, who both hold full-time jobs, established the laundromat in Adelaide two years ago as a means to build financial flexibility beyond their regular salaries.

Their choice of a self-service laundromat was strategic, recognizing laundry as an essential service less susceptible to economic downturns. The business model also allows for manageable operations, enabling them to balance it with their careers, family life, and travel. The couple handled all aspects of the setup, from site selection and renovation to purchasing equipment and managing utility installations.

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We chose to run a laundromat because laundry is a daily necessity service and is not easily affected by the economy. The store's operation is relatively simple, and it can be maintained even if we balance full-time work, family, and travel.

Despite a slow start, the laundromat achieved profitability within its first month, exceeding their initial expectations. Nguyen reported that in April alone, the business earned approximately A$10,932 (about NT$245,000), primarily from self-service laundry, supplemented by commercial contracts for washing, drying, and folding services. After deducting operational costs like rent, utilities, and insurance, their monthly net profit reached about A$6,324 (NT$142,000).

The business currently operates without full-time staff, relying on a cleaning service for regular maintenance. Nguyen and Chiem dedicate only 4 to 6 hours weekly to administrative tasks, store checks, and bookkeeping. They noted that winter months typically see higher revenue due to increased dryer usage. The success has allowed them to travel for nearly two months last year, and they are considering opening additional locations to further diversify their income.

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The biggest advantage of a laundromat is that once the operating model is established, management is very time-saving.