Small business ideas
New Zealand
Southland
Senior companion care

Care and education Repeat customersFlexible hoursLicense needed

How to start a senior companion care business in Southland

Everything you need: what it costs, what you can make, what Southland asks for, and every step from your first idea to your tenth customer.

Start this business with PressUp

Checked October 2026 In New Zealand dollars 12-minute read

The prices and costs in this guide are estimates for New Zealand: researched US figures converted to New Zealand dollars by price levels. Registration fees and taxes are New Zealand's own.

To startNZ$869–1.3kLean to full setup

Per monthNZ$5k–16kOnce established

Profit margin75–90%After insurance, fuel and card fees

First customer2–6 weeksFrom today

DifficultyKindness matters more than experience

From homeYesOr you go to them

01Is it right for you?

A good fit if you're caring, patient and dependable

Companion care is non-medical help for older adults who want to stay in their own homes: conversation, meals, errands, rides and a friendly check-in. Families often book the same hours every week, and the need is growing as the population ages.

You'll like it if

You're patient, warm and a good listener
You're reliable: families count on you showing up
You have a clean driving record and a car
You'd find helping someone stay at home meaningful

Think twice if

You'd rather not handle sensitive family situations
You can't commit to regular weekly hours
You want to give medical or hands-on care without the right license
Losing clients you've grown close to would be very hard

02What it costs

From NZ$869 to start

Start lean with the essentials and upgrade as customers come, or set up fully from day one.

Total to startNZ$869

What	Cost
InsuranceFirst year of general and professional liability, plus a bond	NZ$690
Background checkA check on yourself that families can see	NZ$70
First aid and CPR courseAdult first aid, CPR and AED	NZ$95
Registering your businessFree as a sole trader; more to form a company	NZ$0
Cards and flyersFor senior centers, churches and doctors' offices	NZ$14
Total	NZ$869

Once you're running: about NZ$80 a month, plus about 10% of what you earn. Insurance and phone every month, plus fuel and card fees for each hour of care.

03What you can make

Work out your own numbers

Move the sliders to match your plans. The chart shows a first year that builds up as word gets around.

Average price per hour NZ$40 NZ$15NZ$110

Hours a week 30 160

Monthly costs NZ$80 NZ$0NZ$320

Typical in Southland: NZ$30–NZ$55 per hour, 10–40 hours a week once established.

Revenue a month—

Profit a month—

Pays back in—

Your first yearTotal: —

Money inCosts

Side hustleNZ$1.7k–2.6k

10–15 hours a week

Full-time, on your ownNZ$5k–6.9k

30–40 hours a week with a few regular clients

Small agencyNZ$6.9k–16k

Caregivers you hire, where your state allows

04Step by step

11 steps to your first customers

Each step says what it costs and how long it takes. Most owners get through them in a few weeks.

1
Check your state's rules first
1–2 weeks Free

Some states register or license even one-person companion businesses, and many require background screening. Find out what Southland asks before you take a client.
- Companion versus personal care rules
- Registration or license
- Background screening
2
Check the demand near you
2–3 days Free

See which home care agencies serve your area and what they charge. Many have minimum visit lengths that leave room for a flexible independent companion.
- Search "companion care near me"
- Note agencies and their rates
- Talk to a senior center
3
Choose your name
1 day Free

Pick a warm, trustworthy name. Some states don't allow words like "health" or "nursing" for companion services. Make sure no one in Southland already uses it.
- 3–5 name ideas
- Check your state's naming rules
- Check the domain
Get name ideas for your businessFind a name
4
Register your business in Southland
1 day to 2 weeks NZ$0–NZ$148

Most owners start as a sole trader; registering a company with the Companies Office keeps business debts separate.
- Start as a sole trader: free
- Register a company: NZ$148.05
5
Get your IRD number
1–5 days Free

Your business's tax number from Inland Revenue, for taxes and banking.
- Register with Inland Revenue
- Open a business bank account
6
Sort out GST
1–3 days Free

You must register for GST once your sales pass NZ$60,000 a year. The rate is 15%.
- Know when to register for GST
- Keep records of income and costs
- Set money aside for income tax
7
Get insured
1–2 days Quotes are free

Insurance protects you if something goes wrong on a job. Get quotes from two or three insurers.
- General liability
- Professional liability
- A fidelity bond
- Business use of your car
8
Get checked and trained
1–2 weeks NZ$160

Families are trusting you with someone they love. A background check and a first aid and CPR course are the minimum; dementia awareness training helps too.
- Background check
- First aid, CPR and AED course
- Dementia awareness
9
Set your rates and services
1 day Free

Charge by the hour with a minimum visit, and list clearly what you do and don't do. Regular weekly visits work best for everyone. See the prices below.
- Hourly rate and minimum visit
- What's included
- Weekend and holiday rates
10
Put your business online
1 day Included

Adult children often search for care from far away. A site with your story, services, rates and reviews helps them choose you.
- Website with your services
- A way to book a free visit
- Google Business Profile
Describe your business and PressUp builds your websiteBuild your website
11
Get your first clients
2–6 weeks Up to NZ$210

Senior centers, churches, doctors' offices and elder law attorneys all meet families who need help. One trusted client often leads to their friends.
- Senior centers and churches
- Doctors and care managers
- Ask every family for a review
Ask your customers for reviews by email with PressUpSee how

05Licenses in STL

What Southland asks for

Registering, taxes, and what this business needs. Check the details with each authority: rules change.

Start as a sole trader

There's nothing to register: you tell Inland Revenue you're working for yourself.

Inland RevenueFree

Register a company

Reserving the company name and incorporating, including GST. A company also files a yearly annual return, for a fee.

Companies OfficeNZ$148.05once

IRD number

Your business's tax number, for banking and taxes.

Inland RevenueFree

Know the limits of companion care

Hands-on help with bathing, dressing or toileting is personal care and usually needs a higher license than companionship.

Your state or national care regulatorVaries

06Equipment

What to buy first

Buy the "must haves" to start. Add the rest when customers pay for them.

Background checkOn yourself, to show families

NZ$40–NZ$130Must have

First aid and CPR courseAdult first aid, CPR and AED

NZ$95Must have

Business cardsFor senior centers and doctors

NZ$14–NZ$35Later

07Pricing

3 packages that sell

Simple choices make it easy to say yes. Most customers pick the middle one.

Hourly companion care

NZ$40 per hour · Minimum of a few hours

Company and conversation
Light meals and tidying
Errands and appointments

Half-day visit

NZ$160 per visit · 4 hours

Lunch together
An outing or errands
A note for the family

Regular weekly care

NZ$1,950 per month · Three 4-hour visits a week

The same companion every time
Set days and times
Monthly update for the family

Companion care, per hour in SouthlandTypical: NZ$35–NZ$60

Average NZ$50

NZ$0NZ$20NZ$40NZ$60NZ$80

08First customers

How to get your first customers

You don't need an ad budget. These work for new owners almost everywhere.

Google Business Profile

Families search "companion care near me". Reviews from other families matter more than anything.

Free

Senior centers and churches

Offer a free talk or volunteer. People hire someone they've met.

Partnership

Doctors and care managers

Geriatric care managers, discharge planners and elder law attorneys refer families every week.

Partnership

Reviews

Ask families to share how you've helped. Trust is the whole business.

With PressUp Reviews

Regular weekly visits

A set schedule helps your clients feel secure and keeps your income steady.

Repeat income

09Your first 30 days

A month from now, you could be open

Week 1

Set up

Check your state's rules
Register your business
Buy insurance

Week 2

Get ready

Get a background check
Take first aid and CPR
Write your service agreement

Week 3

Go live

Website with your services
Google Business Profile
Visit senior centers

Week 4

First clients

Offer free meet-and-greet visits
Aim for 2 or 3 regular clients
Ask for reviews

10Questions

Common questions

Do I need a license for companion care in Southland?

It depends on your state. Some states register or license even one-person companion businesses, others only license agencies that give hands-on personal care. Check with your state health or social services department before taking clients.

What's the difference between companion care and personal care?

Companion care is company, meals, light housework, errands and rides. Personal care is hands-on help with bathing, dressing or toileting, which usually needs more training and a different license.

Does Medicare pay for companion care?

Usually not. Most families pay privately, and some use long-term care insurance or veterans' benefits. Ask families how they plan to pay at the first visit.

Can I start part-time?

Yes. Many companions start with one or two regular clients a few days a week and grow from referrals.

Costs and earnings are estimates from the sources below, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the authorities named in this guide. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.

Sources