Bespoke tailoring studio
Run a small shopfront making made-to-measure garments and doing alterations.
- A$30k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small studio or shopfront offering made-to-measure suits, shirts and dresses alongside everyday alterations, with fittings by appointment or walk-in.
Your first three steps
- Price out small premises or a shared studio space in a suburb with passing foot traffic and check lease terms
- Build a portfolio of finished garments and a small range of fabric samples from suppliers
- Register your ABN, set up simple booking and deposit terms, and tell local wedding and formalwear contacts
Who pays
Grooms and wedding parties, professionals wanting well-fitted work wear, and customers needing formal or special-occasion outfits.
How it makes money
Higher-priced bespoke garments, with alterations bringing steady day-to-day income and often leading to bespoke orders.
Skills that help
- Pattern making and garment construction
- Fitting and measuring
- Customer service and quoting
- Basic business and bookkeeping
Watch out for
- Commercial lease commitments, including the bond or bank guarantee (often several months' rent) and fit-out costs, so check the full costs before signing
- Public liability and contents insurance, plus workers compensation if you hire staff
- Deposits and refund terms for made-to-measure orders, and Australian Consumer Law obligations
- GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold
🔒 Full research report for Australia
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to open a bespoke tailoring studio in Australia?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $30,000 to $90,000, depending on your lease, fit-out and equipment. Check the full costs of a commercial lease, including the bond or bank guarantee, before you sign anything.
How much can a tailoring studio earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $18,000, depending on your mix of made-to-measure orders and everyday alterations. Expect to put in at least about 30 hours a week to run a studio.
What should I check before opening a tailoring shopfront?
Check your commercial lease commitments, public liability and contents insurance, and workers compensation if you hire staff. Also check deposit and refund terms for made-to-measure orders, Australian Consumer Law obligations, and GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold.
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