How to earn from your driveway or shed in New South Wales
Sydney and regional NSW homeowners are earning steady income from unused garages, driveways and yards. Here's the practical guide to getting started.
Sydney has some of Australia's most expensive commercial storage rates. It also has one of the highest concentrations of boats, caravans and work vehicles that need somewhere to park. If you have a garage, covered hardstand, shed or open yard you're not fully using, there's real demand for it in your suburb.
What hosts in NSW are earning
$100 – $400 /month
Per space, depending on type and location. Covered storage earns more. You set your own price.
How to get started
Check your property rules
In NSW, renting your residential driveway, garage or yard for private storage is generally classified as incidental residential use. Under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, this does not typically require a development application. You are not changing the use of the land.
The main exception is strata and community title properties. NSW strata by-laws vary significantly. Some owners corporations allow casual storage; others restrict use of car spaces or common areas. Check your by-laws or speak to your strata manager before listing.
You stay in control
You choose who stores with you. You can decline any booking request.
Set your own schedule
Monthly arrangements, short-term stays, or flexible access. Your choice.
Payments handled for you
Stripe processes all payments. No chasing invoices or handling cash.
Decide what you're offering
Measure your available space and consider what suits it best:
- Single lock-up garage: cars, motorcycles, bikes
- Double garage or covered hardstand: caravans, boats, trailers
- Open driveway: additional vehicle parking or small trailer
- Yard or hardstand: trucks, earthmoving equipment
Set your price
NSW pricing by space type (Greater Sydney metro):
Indicative ranges only. Newcastle and Wollongong tend to sit 15–25% below Sydney metro rates. Regional NSW (Orange, Dubbo, Wagga) is lower again. Check local listings on StorageFinder to find the right price for your area.
Create your listing
Good listings have three things: accurate dimensions, clear photos of the access point, and a brief note on what you will or won't accept. Height clearance matters particularly for caravans and boats on trailers.
- Photo from the street showing vehicle access
- Photo inside showing dimensions — include something for scale
- Note height clearance if vehicles need to drive in
- Specify access hours and any restrictions on hazardous materials
Confirm your first booking
Once a storer contacts you, agree on access arrangements: key handover, lockbox code or accompanied access, before move-in day. Payment is collected securely through Stripe. Your payout is processed after the first month begins, with ongoing monthly payments automated.
NSW-specific notes
- Council planning: Renting your private garage or yard for incidental storage is not classified as a change of use in most NSW councils. You generally do not need a development application under the Standard Instrument LEP framework.
- Strata: NSW strata by-laws (governed under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015) vary by scheme. Common restrictions relate to car space use and common area access, not the apartment itself. Your by-laws are publicly available from NSW Fair Trading.
- Insurance: Standard home and contents policies generally do not cover a storer's belongings. StorageFinder recommends storers hold their own goods-in-storage cover. Hosts should check their home insurance for any exclusions related to commercial activity.
- Tax: Storage rental income is taxable. It is typically declared as "other income" on your tax return. You can deduct proportional expenses (e.g. electricity if applicable). Consult an accountant for your specific situation.
Also useful
Ready to list your space in NSW?
It takes about 10 minutes to create a listing. Most hosts receive their first enquiry within a week of publishing.
List your space