Beauty business ideas you can start from home in Australia

21 ideas

These 21 ideas suit people who already have beauty skills, or are ready to train, and want to see clients without paying for a salon lease. Options range from a home studio nail technician or home waxing studio to a home hair studio or home studio facial and skin treatments.

Swipe through these ideas →

1k to 5k 5k to 20k Over 20k Out and about Own premises

A make-up artist applying foundation to a model's face before a photoshoot.

Home studio make-up artist

Welcome clients to a small studio space at home for make-up, lessons and photoshoot prep.

A$600-3k
Side hustle
From home

A hairdresser cutting a customer's hair in a bright salon.

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

Client receiving a relaxing massage in a calm, candlelit spa treatment room.

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

Therapist giving an aromatherapy massage with essential oil bottles nearby.

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

An artist applying intricate henna designs to a client's hand.

Home-based mehndi appointments

Offer by-appointment henna sessions from a spare room for brides, bridesmaids and small groups.

A$100-600
Side hustle
From home

A calm spa treatment room with massage table, towels and candles.

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

A barber trimming a male customer's hair in a barber shop.

Home barber studio

Set up a private one-chair studio at home and cut hair by appointment.

A$2k-8k
Side hustle
From home

Technician applying individual eyelash extensions to a client's lashes.

Home lash studio

Apply lash extensions and lash lifts by appointment from a dedicated room at home.

A$1.5k-5k
Side hustle
From home

Therapist massaging a client's feet in a calm treatment room.

Home foot massage studio

Set up a calm treatment corner at home and offer foot and lower-leg massage by appointment.

A$800-3.5k
Side hustle
From home

Client receiving a relaxing facial massage in a spa treatment room.

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

Client receiving a facial treatment from a therapist in a beauty salon.

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

Technician applying cosmetic tattoo to a client's eyebrow in a clinic.

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

Heated smooth stones are arranged on a towel during a spa massage session.

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

Stylist cutting and colouring a client's hair in a bright salon.

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

Client receiving a manicure from a nail technician in a salon.

Home studio nail technician

Offer manicures and gel or acrylic nails by appointment from a dedicated room at home.

A$1.5k-5k
Side hustle
From home

Therapist giving a facial treatment to a client in a calm clinic room.

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

A beauty therapist applying a skincare treatment to a smiling client.

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

A therapist giving a facial treatment in a bright, calm beauty salon.

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

Home-studio loctician

Install and maintain locks for regular clients from a private room at home.

A$800-3k
Side hustle
From home

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

Home waxing studio

Set up a clean, private waxing room at home and book regular clients by appointment.

A$1.5k-6k
Side hustle
From home

About these ideas

Before you choose, look at your space. You will need a clean, private, well-lit room that is separate from family life, with good hygiene routines. Think about which treatments need formal qualifications, how many clients you can comfortably host, and whether your neighbours and street can handle visitors. Compare start-up costs for equipment and products, then pick the idea that fits your skills and the time you can commit.

Questions

Do I need council approval to run a beauty business from home?

Often you do. Check with your local council whether a home business needs a permit or has limits on client numbers, signage or hours. Also check any rental agreement, strata rules or body corporate by-laws before taking bookings.

What qualifications and rules should I check before starting?

Check which treatments need a formal qualification in your state or territory, especially for waxing, skin treatments, tattooing and massage. Also look into infection control requirements, local health authority rules and any registration or inspection your chosen service may involve.

What insurance should I look at for a home beauty studio?

Look at public liability and professional indemnity cover designed for beauty therapists, and ask whether it covers treatments done at home. Check your home and contents policy too, since business activity and visiting clients may affect what is covered.