How much does it cost to rent a chair in a hair salon in Australia?

If you're a salon owner looking to offer a chair to rent in your space, you're likely interested in understanding the variation in the market and how businesses around you currently charge.

What are the costs like in various Australian cities? Let's explore the chair rental prices and compare them across the country.

Day rates in the capital cities (October 2023)

Sydney, New South Wales: In the heart of Sydney, you can find a range of chair rental prices. Salons like "Quarry Avenue" in the CBD offer full-day chair rentals for $140. The stylish "La Libertine Hair" in the CBD sets the price at $130 per day.

Melbourne, Victoria: Melbourne's chair rental prices also show some diversity. "RHB Salon" on St Kilda Rd asks for $135 per day. Meanwhile, some salons in Eltham offers chair rentals for just $90. Melbourne's price range allows hairstylists to find options that suit their budgets in both the city center and suburbs.

Brisbane, Queensland: In Brisbane, Salon Lane in West End offers chairs from $115 per day, making it an attractive option for those looking to get started without a hefty upfront investment. "Bardon Hair Design" in Bardon also charges $80 per day, giving hairstylists an affordable opportunity to work in Queensland's capital.

These prices represent just a selection of the options available across Australia.

Please see the chart below to have a more precise idea of how these prices are spread out across salons in Australia.

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Weekly rates by city (January 2025)

By January 2025, average weekly chair rental in Australia's main cities looked like this:

• Sydney: $420 to $720
• Melbourne: $400 to $600
• Brisbane: about $600
• Adelaide: $300 to $700
• Gold Coast: about $500

What drives the price

• Location: chairs in affluent neighbourhoods of the big cities cost more because of the clientele they attract.
• Amenities: some salons include professional tools, hair products and reception services in the fee.
• Flexibility: short-term or part-time rentals are often pricier pro rata.
• Reputation: a prestigious salon may justify a higher fee and can also bring more clients.

Ways to keep costs down

• Compare options: research several salons to find the best value.
• Negotiate: salon owners may offer a discount for a longer commitment.
• Share a chair: splitting a chair with another freelancer can cut costs sharply.

When considering chair rental costs, hairstylists take into account their budgets, the foot traffic in their chosen location, and the benefits and amenities offered in the salon. The choice between a bustling city center or a quieter suburb can significantly impact the rental prices as well as what is included in the price.

For salon owners, setting the right chair rental price is a delicate balance. Consider your salon's location, local competition, the services provided, and the unique needs of the stylists you aim to attract. Offering a variety of pricing options, like daily, weekly, or monthly rentals, can make your salon an attractive destination for stylists and increase your salon's revenue.

You can promote your salon and the chairs available on MuseAvenue, the #1 platform dedicated to co-working salons in Australia.