Beauty Australia Checklist
The Complete Checklist for Starting a Beauty Salon in Australia
Whether you're opening a hair salon, nail bar, spa, or barbershop - here's everything you need to succeed.
VisROI Team • • 12 min read
Australia's beauty industry is worth over $22 billion. With the right preparation, your salon can claim its share. This comprehensive checklist covers everything from qualifications to the marketing that fills your appointment book.
Phase 1: Qualifications & Registration
Industry Qualifications
- ✓ Hair - Certificate III in Hairdressing (minimum for stylists)
- ✓ Beauty therapy - Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy
- ✓ Nail technician - Certificate III in Nail Technology
- ✓ Massage - Certificate IV or Diploma (for insurance and fund rebates)
- ✓ Skin treatments - Additional certifications for laser, injectables, etc.
Business Registration
- ✓ ABN registration - Free at abr.gov.au
- ✓ Business name - Register through ASIC
- ✓ GST registration - Required if turnover exceeds $75,000
- ✓ Local council registration - Beauty premises often need health registration
- ✓ Skin penetration license - Required in NSW for tattooing, piercing, some treatments
Phase 2: Location & Fit-out
Location Considerations
- ✓ High foot traffic - Shopping strips, centres, near cafes
- ✓ Parking - Suburban locations need accessible parking
- ✓ Competition analysis - What's missing in your area?
- ✓ Demographics - Match services to local income/age profiles
- ✓ Visibility - Street frontage for brand awareness
Fit-out Requirements
- ✓ Plumbing - Hair basins, treatment room sinks
- ✓ Electrical - Adequate power points, appropriate lighting
- ✓ Ventilation - Essential for chemical treatments
- ✓ Storage - Product display, back of house supplies
- ✓ Accessibility - Disability access compliance
Phase 3: Equipment & Supplies
- ✓ Styling chairs - Quality chairs last 10+ years
- ✓ Wash basins - Comfortable, ergonomic design
- ✓ Treatment beds - Electric for adjustability
- ✓ Tools - Hair tools, beauty equipment, sterilization
- ✓ Initial product stock - Retail and professional lines
- ✓ Reception area - Comfortable waiting, retail display
Phase 4: Systems & Software
The Booking Problem
Phone tag kills salon businesses. Clients want to book at 10pm, not during your busy hours. Online booking isn't optional anymore - it's expected.
- ✓ Salon software - Timely, Fresha, Shortcuts, Kitomba
- ✓ Online booking - 24/7 booking essential (see our booking solution)
- ✓ Point of sale - Integrated with booking software
- ✓ Payment processing - EFTPOS, Afterpay, Zip
- ✓ Accounting - Xero or MYOB with bank feeds
- ✓ SMS reminders - Reduce no-shows by 50%+
Phase 5: Insurance & Compliance
- ✓ Public liability - $10-20 million coverage
- ✓ Professional indemnity - For treatment-related claims
- ✓ Product liability - If selling retail products
- ✓ Workers compensation - If employing staff
- ✓ Contents insurance - Equipment, stock, fit-out
Phase 6: Staffing
- ✓ Qualified staff - Verify certificates and experience
- ✓ Apprentices - Consider training future talent
- ✓ Employment contracts - Hair and Beauty Award rates
- ✓ Commission structures - If applicable
- ✓ Continuing education - Keep skills current
Phase 7: Marketing & Online Presence
Essential Digital Setup
- ✓ Website - Services, pricing, online booking (see our website service)
- ✓ SEO + AI SEO - Get found locally on Google and AI assistants (see our SEO service)
- ✓ Instagram - Visual showcase of your work (before/after photos)
- ✓ Facebook - Community engagement, events, specials
Salon Marketing Essentials
- ✓ Before/after portfolio - Get client permission, showcase transformations
- ✓ Referral program - Reward clients who bring friends
- ✓ Email marketing - Birthday offers, rebooking reminders
- ✓ Local partnerships - Cross-promote with nearby businesses
- ✓ Grand opening event - Mini treatments, champagne, social buzz
Get More Clients While You Style
We help salons across Australia build their online presence. From Google visibility to review automation - we handle the digital marketing so you can focus on clients.
Estimated Startup Costs
| Category | Cost Range (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Lease deposit & legal | $10,000 - $30,000 |
| Fit-out (4 chair salon) | $50,000 - $150,000 |
| Equipment & furniture | $20,000 - $60,000 |
| Initial stock | $5,000 - $15,000 |
| Marketing launch | $5,000 - $15,000 |
| Working capital (3 months) | $20,000 - $50,000 |
| Total Estimated | $110,000 - $320,000 |
V
VisROI Team
Helping Australian beauty businesses shine online.