Mobile lymph drainage therapist
Visit clients at home for gentle lymph drainage sessions, with only a portable table and your training.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
Gentle, slow manual lymphatic drainage treatments in the client's home, for wellbeing, puffiness or general swelling. You bring a portable massage table, linen and oils. Clients with medical swelling may need a referral or GP clearance.
Your first three steps
- Complete a recognised massage qualification and a manual lymphatic drainage course if you don't already have them
- Get public liability and professional indemnity insurance, an ABN and a portable table
- Offer discounted first sessions to friends, then ask local GPs, physios and wellness clinics if they will refer clients
Who pays
People wanting relief from puffiness or heaviness, people recovering from cosmetic or other surgery (with their surgeon's approval), and older or less mobile clients who prefer a home visit.
How it makes money
A set price per session, usually 45 to 90 minutes, plus a travel fee for longer trips. Course packages of several sessions bring repeat bookings.
Skills that help
- Specific lymph drainage training
- Calm, caring manner with clients
- Knowing when to refer to a GP or specialist
- Booking and travel planning
Watch out for
- Check which qualifications and association membership you need for insurance and health fund rebates
- Learn the contraindications (such as infection, blood clots or heart conditions) and always refer when unsure
- Don't claim to treat or cure medical conditions such as lymphoedema unless you are properly trained and working with their health team
- Check your insurer covers visits to clients' homes
- Plan for your own safety when visiting new clients alone
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: mobile lymph drainage therapist
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a mobile lymph drainage business in Australia?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your training, portable table and linen, and insurance. Get quotes for your course and cover before committing, as these are estimates only.
How much can a mobile lymph drainage therapist earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many clients you book and how much you travel. The estimates start from about 8 hours of work a week.
What should I check before offering lymph drainage at clients' homes?
Check which qualifications and association membership you need for insurance and health fund rebates, and that your insurer covers home visits. Learn the contraindications, refer when unsure, and avoid claiming to treat conditions like lymphoedema unless properly trained and working with the client's health team.
Other ways to run this business
Similar health and wellness ideas
Homeopathy practice from a home or shared room
See clients one-on-one for homeopathic consultations in a spare room or a room hired by the hour at a local wellness centre.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Event and worksite first aid cover
Provide trained first aiders and a stocked first aid post at local events, sports days and worksites.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home-visit lactation consultant
Visit new parents at home to help with feeding, attachment and milk supply worries.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile spa treatments at home
Bring facials, massage and body care to clients' homes with a portable treatment setup.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Life coach with group workshops
Coach clients face to face and run small group programs in a rented room or community space.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Home-based workplace health advisor
Give employers remote workstation assessments, return-to-work plans and wellbeing advice from a home office.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home