Franchise Opportunities in Tasmania
Tasmania, with about 575,000 people, is a smaller but distinctive franchise market driven by a strong tourism and food economy. Hobart and Launceston are the main centres, and lower competition means well-run franchises can capture a loyal local and visitor customer base.
Tasmania at a glance
| Metric | TAS | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 576,261 | 27,613,654 | 2.1% of AUS |
| Population growth (5-yr) | +3.4% | n/a | rank 8/8 |
| Median age | 42 | 38 | +4 |
| Median weekly household income | $1,358 | $1,746 | -22.2% |
| Total households | 218,412 | 9,275,217 | -97.6% |
| Renter households | 26.4% | 30.6% | -4.2pp |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | +0.2pp |
| Participation rate | 60.8% | 66.8% | -6.0pp |
| Actively trading businesses | 44,244 | n/a | n/a |
| Annual rainfall (Hobart) | 611mm | n/a | n/a |
Population & labour force: ABS. Demographics: ABS Census 2021.
Age distribution in Tasmania
A younger profile favours fitness, coffee and fast-casual food; an older one favours aged care, health and home services. Source: ABS Census 2021.
Housing & households in Tasmania
How people live shapes what they buy. Tenure, dwelling type and household make-up point to the categories most likely to work here.
| Indicator | TAS | What it signals |
|---|---|---|
| Renter households | 26.4% | Rental-heavy areas turn over faster and suit convenience, fitness and food. |
| Owned with a mortgage | 33.0% | Mortgage-belt families spend on services, childcare and casual dining. |
| Owned outright | 37.1% | Outright owners skew older, favouring health, aged care and home services. |
| Detached houses | 87.7% | Backyard suburbs lift lawn, pool, cleaning and home-trade demand. |
| Apartments & units | 5.3% | Higher density concentrates foot traffic for cafés and quick-service food. |
| Family households | 67.6% | Families anchor education, childcare, tutoring and family dining. |
| Single-person households | 29.0% | Singles favour convenience, meal-based food and fitness. |
Source: ABS Census 2021 (QuickStats) · 2021
Tasmania franchise opportunity map
Every marker is a real trade-area market, placed by its ABS centroid and coloured by opportunity score. Marker size reflects population; click a market for its full report.
Recommended franchise categories for Tasmania
| # | Category | Demand | Competition gap | Demographic fit | Growth | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hair & Barber | 32 | 70 | 31 | 78 | 45 |
| 2 | Quick-Service Food | 32 | 65 | 31 | 78 | 45 |
| 3 | Coffee & Café | 32 | 67 | 31 | 78 | 44 |
| 4 | Food & Beverage | 32 | 57 | 31 | 78 | 42 |
| 5 | Retail | 32 | 43 | 31 | 78 | 41 |
| 6 | Bakery & Dessert | 32 | 51 | 31 | 78 | 40 |
| 7 | Mortgage & Finance | 32 | 43 | 31 | 78 | 40 |
| 8 | Beauty & Health | 32 | 45 | 31 | 78 | 39 |
45/100Hair & Barber
Best TAS markets: Launceston (67), Hobart (66), Howrah - Tranmere (57).
Explore hair & barber
45/100Quick-Service Food
Best TAS markets: Hobart (60), Kingston Beach - Blackmans Bay (54), Cambridge (52).
Explore quick-service food
44/100Coffee & Café
Best TAS markets: Cambridge (53), Hobart (52), Kingston - Huntingfield (51).
Explore coffee & caféScores weight ABS population, income and growth, Census demographic fit, local competition (OpenStreetMap operator counts where available, else a trade-area model) and live franchise availability. Indicative only, not a guarantee of success.
Business landscape in Tasmania
Source: ABS Counts of Australian Businesses · 2025
Business churn: 12.7% of businesses were new entries, 12.1% exited, for net growth of +0.5% over the year. A steadily growing business base is a sign of a healthy local economy for a new franchise.
Available franchise opportunities in Tasmania
61 franchise systems have an open territory in Tasmania. A selection by network size:
| Franchise | Category | Units (AU) | Total investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jani-King | Cleaning | 700 | Not published |
| MTA - Mobile Travel Agents | Travel & Cruise | 436 | Not published |
| Loan Market | Mortgage & Finance | 417 | Not published |
| Raine & Horne | Real Estate | 300 | Not published |
| Zambrero | Quick-Service Food | 285 | Not published |
| The Cheesecake Shop | Food & Beverage | 225 | Not published |
| Blue Wheelers | Pet Services | 200 | Not published |
| Carpet Court | Retail | 200 | Not published |
| Nutrien Harcourts | Real Estate | 181 | Not published |
| Soul Origin | Quick-Service Food | 170 | Not published |
Franchise opportunity by location in Tasmania
Cities & regional centres
Hobart
75Launceston
67Devonport
65Suburbs & localities
Every ABS SA2 suburb or locality in Tasmania with 8,000+ residents, ranked by opportunity score, 15 areas.
Howrah - Tranmere
57Kingston - Huntingfield
56Sandy Bay
55Kingston Beach - Blackmans Bay
54Cambridge
53Glenorchy
50Sorell - Richmond
50Lenah Valley - Mount Stuart
49Huonville - Franklin
47Margate - Snug
47Newnham - Mayfield
42Dodges Ferry - Lewisham
42Claremont (Tas.)
38Rokeby
38Bridgewater - Gagebrook
36Population, income & growth: ABS Census 2021 and Estimated Resident Population. Opportunity score combines demand, competition, demographics, growth and franchise availability, see methodology.
Franchise cost benchmarks
| Category | Median initial fee | Royalty | Marketing levy | Total investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | $25,000 | 9.0% | 3.0% | $30K–$120K |
| Coffee & Café | $45,000 | 6.5% | 2.5% | $118K–$450K |
| Food & Beverage | $50,000 | 7.0% | 3.0% | $250K–$750K |
| Fitness & Wellbeing | $40,000 | 6.0% | 2.0% | $200K–$900K |
| Aged & Disability Support | $45,000 | 6.5% | 2.0% | $90K–$300K |
| Home & Trade Services | $35,000 | 8.0% | 3.5% | $45K–$180K |
| Automotive | $45,000 | 7.5% | 2.5% | $120K–$500K |
| Education & Tutoring | $40,000 | 7.5% | 2.0% | $60K–$180K |
National medians from the Australian Franchise Fee Index, verified from disclosure documents.
Climate & seasonality
| Climate zone (Hobart) | Cool temperate |
| Avg summer maximum | 21.8°C |
| Avg winter minimum | 4.6°C |
| Annual rainfall | 611mm (Uniform) |
| Sunshine | 5.9 hrs/day |
| Frost risk | Moderate |
Cool temperate climate with frequent frosts supports heating, indoor hospitality and warming food/beverage franchises over a long cold season.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology climate averages · BOM climate averages
Tourism & visitor demand
| Annual domestic visitors | 3,192,200 |
| Annual international visitors | 254,000 |
| Total visitor nights | 17,362,400 |
| Total visitor spending | $4.3B |
| Peak season | Summer (Dec–Feb) |
| Top tourism regions | Hobart and the South, Launceston and the North, North West |
Strong visitor volumes lift demand for food & beverage, coffee, retail and hospitality franchises, plan for peak/off-peak staffing.
Source: Tourism Research Australia · 2024
Transport & infrastructure
| Airport | Location | Annual passengers | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart Airport | Cambridge, Hobart | 2,821,811 | Domestic |
| Launceston Airport | Launceston | 1,433,462 | Domestic |
| Devonport Airport | Devonport | n/a | Regional |
- Midland Highway (National Highway 1), Hobart–Launceston (central corridor)
- Bass Highway (A1/1), Launceston–Devonport–Burnie (north coast)
- Tasman Highway (A3), Hobart–east coast–Launceston
- Port of Burnie (Container)
- Port of Devonport (Mixed)
Tasmania has no passenger rail; TasRail operates a freight-only network across the state.
Highway corridors suit drive-through food, fuel and automotive franchises; airport and transport hubs suit food and retail formats.
Source: BITRE aviation statistics & public infrastructure data · 2024-25
Commercial property & retail
Major shopping centres, prime anchor sites for retail, food and service franchises in Tasmania:
| Centre | Location |
|---|---|
| Eastlands Shopping Centre | Rosny Park, Hobart |
| Northgate Shopping Centre | Glenorchy |
| Channel Court | Kingston |
Entry costs in Tasmania are generally lower than the mainland capitals. The smaller market rewards owner-operators and single-site franchises over large multi-unit plays. Retail rents vary by centre and strip, confirm current rates with the landlord or a commercial agent.
Expanding your franchise into Tasmania?
| Total population | 576,261 |
| Population growth | 0.7% p.a. (rank 8/8) |
| Median household income | $1,358/wk |
| Systems already recruiting | 61 |
| Trade-area markets scored | 18 |
Lower-scoring categories with strong demographics signal white space. See the recommended-categories table above for where TAS demand outruns supply.
Franchises in Tasmania, FAQs
What are the best franchise opportunities in Tasmania?
Based on ABS population, demographics and competition analysis, the strongest franchise categories in Tasmania are Hair & Barber, Quick-Service Food, Coffee & Café. With a population of 576,261 growing 0.7% a year, Tasmania supports steady demand across food, fitness and home-service formats.
How much does a franchise cost in Tasmania?
Total investment ranges from about $30K for home-based and mobile models to $1.2M+ for full bricks-and-mortar formats. Tasmania's median weekly household income is $1,358 (-22.2% vs the national $1,746). See our verified Fee Index for category-by-category costs.
What franchise categories work best in regional Tasmania?
Regional TAS centres such as Launceston, Devonport, Kingston - Huntingfield typically have lower competition than Hobart and reward home services, food and fitness franchises. Entry costs are usually lower outside the capital.
Are there franchises for sale in Tasmania?
Yes, 61 franchise systems on FranchiseScope currently have an open territory in Tasmania. Browse available TAS opportunities or register your interest to be notified of new listings.
What is the population of Tasmania?
As of 2025, Tasmania has an estimated resident population of 576,261, about 2.1% of Australia's total. It grew 0.7% per year over the last five years, the 8th fastest-growing state or territory. Source: ABS National, state and territory population.
What is the climate like in Tasmania?
Hobart has a cool temperate climate, average summer maximums around 21.8°C and winter minimums near 4.6°C, with about 611mm of rain a year. Cool temperate climate with frequent frosts supports heating, indoor hospitality and warming food/beverage franchises over a long cold season. Source: Bureau of Meteorology.
What are the fastest growing areas in Tasmania?
The fastest-growing markets in Tasmania include Rokeby (+30.7% over 5 years), Kingston - Huntingfield (+19.8% over 5 years), Sorell - Richmond (+18.1% over 5 years). These growth corridors offer the strongest new-outlet franchise opportunities. Source: ABS Estimated Resident Population.
How do I compare franchise opportunities in Tasmania?
Use FranchiseScope's verified Fee Index, location opportunity scores and live territory availability to compare franchises side by side, filter by category, investment range and location across Tasmania.
Explore more
Methodology & sources
Opportunity scores use a weighted model: 30% demand (population, households, income), 25% competition gap (business density vs population), 20% demographic fit, 15% growth, 10% franchise availability. Data comes from ABS National, state and territory population; ABS Census 2021; ABS Labour Force; ABS Counts of Australian Businesses; Bureau of Meteorology; Tourism Research Australia; BITRE; OpenStreetMap; and FranchiseScope's verified Fee Index. Scores are indicative only and do not guarantee franchise success.
This page is general information only, not legal, financial or business advice. Franchise costs, territories and availability change frequently. Review the franchisor's disclosure document and seek independent legal and accounting advice before entering any franchise agreement.
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