What does it cost to start a hairdressing salon business?
A hair salon's cost depends heavily on the model: renting a chair in an existing salon is cheap, while fitting out your own shopfront is a major investment. Equipment, a salon fit-out and the lease bond are the main drivers if you open your own space.
As a guide, plan for around $28,300 – $108,500 in one-off setup costs and $8,700 – $33,300 per month in running costs. Adding a three-month cash buffer puts a realistic launch figure at $54,400 – $208,400.
One-off setup costs
The costs you pay once to get up and running:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Lease bond & first month rent | $4,000 – $14,000 |
| Salon fit-out & chairs | $15,000 – $60,000 |
| Wash basins & plumbing | $3,000 – $12,000 |
| Tools, dryers & equipment | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| Initial stock (colour, product) | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Signage & branding | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| Insurance & licences | $800 – $2,500 |
Totals roughly $28,300 – $108,500. Buying used or starting lean lands you near the lower end.
Monthly running costs
The ongoing costs of operating each month:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Rent | $2,500 – $8,000 |
| Wages/contractor pay | $4,000 – $18,000 |
| Stock & colour | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Utilities | $400 – $1,200 |
| Marketing & booking software | $200 – $800 |
| Insurance | $100 – $300 |
Totals roughly $8,700 – $33,300 per month. Work out your break-even point →
Licences & registrations
- ABN registration
- Skin penetration registration with council if offering certain treatments
- Public liability & professional indemnity insurance
- Music licence (OneMusic)
- Trade qualification (Certificate III in Hairdressing) for cutting/colouring
Not legal advice — requirements vary by state and council. Check business.gov.au and your local council.
Tips to start lean
- Chair rental or a home studio dramatically lowers your entry cost and risk.
- Booking software that reduces no-shows pays for itself quickly.
- Retail product sales add high-margin revenue on top of services.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a hairdressing salon business in Australia?
A small, owner-operated start typically costs around $54,400 – $208,400. That covers roughly $28,300 – $108,500 in one-off setup costs plus a three-month buffer for running costs of about $8,700 – $33,300 per month. Your actual figure depends heavily on scale, location and whether you buy new or used.
What are the ongoing monthly costs?
Expect ongoing running costs of roughly $8,700 – $33,300 per month, covering items like rent, wages/contractor pay, stock & colour and more. Use the break-even calculator to see how many sales cover these.
What licences or registrations do I need?
Common requirements include: ABN registration; Skin penetration registration with council if offering certain treatments; Public liability & professional indemnity insurance; Music licence (OneMusic); Trade qualification (Certificate III in Hairdressing) for cutting/colouring. Always confirm the exact requirements with your state and local council.
Can I start a hairdressing salon business cheaply?
Yes — the low end of the range (around $54,400) is realistic if you start lean: buy used equipment, start from home or solo where possible, and avoid a fixed lease until demand is proven.
Cost ranges are general estimates for 2025–26 and vary widely by location, scale and choices. Not financial or business advice.