Australia’s beauty industry is one of the most accessible for new entrepreneurs. With the right qualifications, a few hundred dollars in setup costs, and a smart approach to client acquisition, you can be booked out within months of graduating. Here’s how.
Step 1: Get qualified
Most beauty services in Australia require a Certificate III or IV in Beauty Therapy, or a specialist certification for services like lash extensions, cosmetic tattooing, or injectables. Choose a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that is nationally recognised. TAFE courses are widely respected; private academies vary in quality, so check reviews and graduate outcomes before enrolling.
Step 2: Register your ABN
If you’re operating as a sole trader or starting a company, register for an Australian Business Number (ABN) through the Australian Business Register at abr.gov.au. It’s free and takes about 15 minutes. You’ll need your ABN to invoice clients and register for GST (required once turnover exceeds $75,000 annually).
Step 3: Get insured
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance is essential before you see a single client. Most beauty-specific insurers in Australia offer combined policies starting from around $500 per year. Popular providers include BizCover, Aon, and specialist beauty industry insurers. Check that your policy covers all the treatments you offer.
Step 4: Set up your space
Mobile beauty, renting a salon chair, and home-based setups are all valid starting points. Each has different council zoning, insurance, and hygiene requirements. Check with your local council if you plan to operate from home. Mobile beauty is the lowest-overhead starting point for many new practitioners.
Step 5: Build your portfolio with model calls
New businesses without reviews or a portfolio struggle to attract full-price clients. Model calls solve this. List your services on Model Call at a reduced or free rate to fill your book, build before-and-after photos, and generate your first verified reviews. Many practitioners go from zero reviews to fully booked within 4–6 weeks of listing.
Step 6: Invest in your online presence
You need, at minimum: a Google Business Profile (free), an Instagram account, and a way to take online bookings. A website helps but isn’t essential at the start. Consistent, high-quality content — especially short-form video showing your work — drives discovery far more effectively than paid ads for new beauty businesses.
How Model Call helps new beauty businesses
Model Call is free to list during our launch period. It takes about 5 minutes to set up your first listing and 1 business day for approval. You get online booking, automatic confirmations and reminders, no-show protection, and a growing directory of models in your city looking for exactly what you offer.