Small neighbourhood day spa

Locals seeking regular relaxation or pain relief, couples and friends buying gift vouchers, and workplaces booking staff wellbeing sessions.

Fees per treatment, packages and memberships, gift vouchers, and extras such as products and add-on treatments. Rent and staff are the main costs, so keeping rooms booked matters.

• Customer service and a calm manner
• Running bookings and rosters
• Recognised massage or spa therapy qualifications (yours or your team's)

• Council planning and building approval for the premises, and fire and safety rules for saunas or steam rooms
• Some treatments may need premises registration with the council or state health authority, so check what applies in your state
• Public liability and professional indemnity insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
• Therapist qualifications and association membership, which affect insurance and health fund rebates
• Lease commitments and slow early months, so keep a cash buffer

Startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on your premises, fit-out, number of treatment rooms and whether you add a sauna or steam room. Treat this as an estimate and get quotes before signing a lease.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your location, number of rooms, treatment prices and how busy you are. These are estimates of revenue, not profit, and early months may be slower.

Check council planning and building approval, plus fire and safety rules for saunas or steam rooms. Some treatments may need premises registration with the council or state health authority. Also check therapist qualifications, association membership and insurance.