Beauty business ideas you can start for up to $20,000
29 ideas
These 29 beauty business ideas are for people who want to work for themselves without a salon fit-out bill. Many keep costs down by working from a home studio, travelling to clients or renting a chair or treatment room by the day.
Spray tan studio
Run a small appointment-only spray tan studio from a rented room or shopfront.
- A$5k-20k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Home studio hairdresser
Set up a small private hair studio at home and see regular clients by appointment.
- A$2k-9k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home studio spa treatments
Turn a spare room into a calm treatment space for massages and facials by appointment.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home studio aromatherapy treatments
Treat regular clients in a calm treatment room set up at home, with no premises rent.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Aromatherapy in a rented treatment room
Rent a room in a salon, gym or wellness centre and build a steady client base for aromatherapy.
- A$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile teeth whitening for busy clients
Offer professional whitening at clients' homes, offices or events, if you are a registered dental practitioner.
- A$3k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home studio facials and massage
Run a calm treatment room at home and book regular clients for facials and massage.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home barber studio
Set up a private one-chair studio at home and cut hair by appointment.
- A$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home studio facial treatments
Offer cleansing, massage and skin care facials by appointment from a dedicated room at home.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home beauty studio: facials, waxing and tanning
Turn a spare room into a treatment space for facials, waxing and spray tans, by appointment.
- A$3k-9k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based cosmetic tattoo studio
Offer eyebrow, lip and eyeliner cosmetic tattooing from a dedicated treatment room at home.
- A$5k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home studio hot stone spa treatments
Set up a calm treatment room at home and offer hot stone massage by appointment.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home hair studio
Set up a small private styling space at home and take hair clients by appointment.
- A$3k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home studio facial and skin treatments
Offer facials and skin treatments by appointment from a treatment room set up at home.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Eyebrow shaping from a rented salon chair
Rent a chair or small room in a salon and book in clients for shaping, tinting and threading.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Mobile beauty therapist
Bring facials, waxing and nails to clients' homes, offices and event venues.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home studio beauty therapist
Set up a treatment room at home and offer facials, waxing and nails by appointment.
- A$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
Beauty therapist renting a salon room
Rent a treatment room in an existing salon or clinic and run your own client list.
- A$2.5k-10k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Home beauty studio
Offer nails, brows, lashes or facials from a dedicated room at home for regular local clients.
- A$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
Loc studio or rented chair
Run your own loc studio, or rent a chair in a salon, to build a full client book.
- A$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Ear piercing from a rented room in a salon
Offer ear piercing from a clean room or corner you rent inside a hair salon, beauty salon or boutique.
- A$2k-6k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Beauty short courses in a small studio
Teach small groups makeup, nails or hair styling in short paid workshops and skills courses.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Home studio hair extension technician
Fit and maintain hair extensions for clients in a private studio room at home.
- A$2k-7k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile hair extension technician
Travel to clients' homes or events to fit clip-in and bonded extensions.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
You might start with a mobile beauty therapist service, a home waxing studio or a private hair system fitting studio. Before you choose, think about where you want to work, what training or qualifications clients will expect, and whether your home or a rented space suits the treatments you plan to offer. Also work out how many bookings you need each week to cover equipment, products, insurance and your own time. Compare the ideas below and shortlist the ones that match your skills and budget.
More ideas
- Extension specialist renting a salon chair
- Home waxing studio
- Private hair system fitting studio
- Mobile hair system fitting and care
- Piercer renting a room in a salon or tattoo studio
Questions
Can I run a beauty business from home in Australia?
Often yes, but check your local council's rules on home-based businesses, any approvals you may need, and whether your lease or strata rules allow clients to visit. Also confirm your insurance covers treatments given at your home.
Do I need qualifications to offer beauty treatments?
Requirements vary by treatment and state or territory. Check which qualifications, hygiene standards or registrations apply to your services, and ask your insurer what training they expect before they will cover you.
What costs should I plan for beyond equipment?
Check insurance, products, laundry, sterilising supplies, booking software, marketing and any rent for a chair or room. Also allow for quiet weeks while you build a client base, so your budget covers slower early months.