Beauty therapist renting a salon room

Walk-in and regular clients, plus customers of the host salon who want extra services like waxing or nails.

Price per treatment, with a weekly or monthly room rent and sometimes a share of retail sales paid to the host.

• Recognised beauty qualification
• Client care and consultation
• Marketing yourself on social media
• Managing your own diary and money

• Make sure you are genuinely a contractor or tenant and not treated like an employee, check with the ATO or an accountant
• Your own public liability and professional indemnity insurance, even if the host has cover
• Rent is due whether or not you are busy, so start with a small commitment
• Premises must meet state and local hygiene requirements, check who is responsible
• Agree clearly who owns the client list and what happens if you leave

Startup costs are typically around $2,500 to $10,000, depending on your equipment, products, insurance and the rent arrangement. Rent is due whether or not you are busy, so start with a small commitment.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on your prices, hours and how quickly you build your client list. This is revenue before rent, products and other costs.

Check that you are genuinely a contractor or tenant rather than treated like an employee, by asking the ATO or an accountant. Also arrange your own insurance, confirm who meets hygiene requirements, and agree who owns the client list.