Types of Business Coaching in Australia – Compare the Costs, Benefits & Choosing the Right Fit
About the Author: Ashley Thomson
Growing a business in the construction and trades sector can feel like piecing together a complex jigsaw puzzle. You have built a successful operation, charted revenue to the million-dollar mark and beyond, and managed a payroll that reflects your ambition. Yet despite your achievements, there is still a ceiling you have not quite broken through. That is where choosing the right business coaching or mentoring model can make all the difference.
I am Ashley Thomson, a business engineer turned business coach with over 20 years of experience guiding businesses through strategic growth, financial rigour and operational excellence. I have worked on the front line of corporate consulting, driven efficiencies in multibillion-dollar organisations and owned, operated and sold my own ventures. Today, I lead a team of award-winning coaches at Tenfold, specialising in one-to-one coaching for trades and construction owner-operators aiming to lift annual revenue from one million dollars to ten million dollars and beyond.
Group Business Coaching
Group business coaching brings together owner-operators from a variety of industries, each participating in a structured curriculum over a predetermined period. Sessions are typically held on a weekly or monthly basis, either online or face-to-face, guided by general blueprints and templates. Participants will explore fundamental topics such as basic financial literacy, team structures and sales funnels, often utilising prescribed workbooks.
In Australia, the investment for a group coaching program typically sits around $12,000 per year, or approximately $1,000 per month. Some national providers position their monthly group programs between $1,000 and $2,000, depending on additional workshops or live events included in the package. Because the content must serve a broad audience, sessions may spend time on topics irrelevant to your specific trade, such as workforce culture initiatives that feel more suited to mid-tier corporate environments.
Who It Suits
This format is ideal for start-ups or sole traders seeking a low-risk way to get started with coaching fundamentals. If you are still becoming familiar with business planning, systems mapping and peer accountability, group business coaching is a cost-effective way to access general guidance.
Ask Yourself
Is it more important for me to get cheaper group coaching than to invest a bit more in targeted results from one-on-one coaching? Would I mind paying for group coaching where the sessions are only sometimes relevant to my business? Do I learn effectively from listening to other business owners’ problems and complaints?
One-to-One Dedicated Business Coaching
Dedicated one-to-one business coaching pairs you with a seasoned coach who tailors every session to your unique business challenges. Whether you are a builder expanding into tier 2 commercial work or a plumber looking to streamline your back-office, your coach delves deeply into your strategy, finances, operations, sales and marketing. You can expect weekly or fortnightly meetings, accompanied by customised action plans and direct access to your coach between sessions to address urgent issues.
At Tenfold Business Coaching, our one-to-one coaching programs are priced to reflect the depth of analysis, bespoke modelling and ongoing support clients receive. Coaching firms in Australia generally price one-to-one coaching from $2,500 to $6,000 per month, depending on coach credentials and the complexity of the engagement.
Who It Suits
Established owner-operators in the construction trades with annual revenues ranging from one million to ten million Australian dollars, who are prepared to invest in strategic growth and increased profitability. If you require customised financial forecasting, market-specific sales strategies or operational blueprints tailored to your workflow, this premium option provides the solution.
Ask Yourself
Do I prefer to do my homework on my own or to receive customised advice and practical support? Can I obtain the information I need for my specific business from broad, non-industry-specific guidance? Is foundational advice sufficient for my goals, or do I need a coach who has walked in my shoes and overcome these exact challenges?
Executive and Leadership Business Coaching
Executive and leadership business coaching usually concentrates on building managerial skills, emotional intelligence, workplace culture, and influencing abilities. You will work one-to-one with an accredited coach, often a former CEO or human resources executive, focusing on mindset adjustments, communication styles, and leadership presence. While these programs are valuable in large corporate settings, their focus on soft skills can sometimes mean that operational, strategic, and financial outcomes are not given as much attention.
In Australia, executive coaches charge on average between $150 and $300 per hour, with packages ranging up to $6,000 per month or higher for board-level support. Many programs position themselves as pathways to enhanced personal performance rather than direct profit acceleration.
Who It Suits
Senior executives in medium to large enterprises seeking personal development in leadership, culture change or succession planning. If your primary objective is to hone management capabilities or navigate a C-suite transition, this model can deliver significant value.
Ask Yourself
Is a focus on emotional intelligence and leadership presence going to move the profitability needle in my trades business? Would I mind diving deep into cultural initiatives when what I really need is a pragmatic growth plan? Do I expect to translate every coaching session into measurable commercial outcomes?
Business Mentoring
Business mentoring in Australia often operates through government-backed or non-profit schemes where experienced business owners volunteer their time to guide smaller enterprises. Mentors bring a wide range of industry backgrounds, covering areas such as marketing, finance, and planning. Sessions are usually conducted on a one-to-one basis and offered at a low cost, with some state programs providing vouchers to help offset fees.
In Victoria, the Small Business Mentoring Service pairs volunteers with small businesses at little or no cost. The focus is on addressing foundational challenges and sharing lived experience rather than following structured growth frameworks. While mentoring grants access to seasoned insights, it typically lacks the rigour of professional business coaching models, and response times can vary.
Who It Suits
Microbusinesses or owner-operators who are just starting out or those on a tight budget and in need of immediate, straightforward advice. This is ideal if you are exploring whether formal coaching is suitable for you or if you simply want to troubleshoot day-to-day hurdles.
Ask Yourself
Can I settle for occasional mentoring advice rather than engaging a dedicated coach who tracks my progress through a tailored program? Is cost my primary barrier, even if it means I receive less structured strategic support? Do I need someone to hold me accountable every week, or am I comfortable finding my own way between irregular mentoring sessions?
Choosing the Right Fit
With so many options available, selecting the right model depends on aligning your ambition, business stage, and desired outcomes with the investment required. If you’re onboarding staff, scaling services, or preparing to bid on commercial contracts, generic group programs or ad hoc mentoring can introduce you to best practices, but they often stop short at theory. Executive coaching will refine your leadership style, yet may not provide the granular financial models or trade-specific sales pipelines you need.
For owner-operators in construction trades, one-to-one business coaching represents the premium choice; it pairs deep industry experience with bespoke strategic advice. At Tenfold Business Coaching, we have seen clients in plumbing, carpentry, concreting, and commercial painting boost profitability by up to 40% within 12 months, thanks to tailor-made growth plans and continuous support.
If you are ready to break through your current limits, have ambitious revenue targets and want a coach who speaks your language, one-to-one business coaching could be the game-changer your business needs.
