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

Renting a salon chair in a salon in Melbourne varies greatly depending on location, with weekly costs ranging from $320 to $600. The average weekly rent is about $448, though factors like suburb, foot traffic, and clientele can impact prices. Here’s an overview of chair rental prices in key areas across Melbourne.

Melbourne CBD and Inner Suburbs

In Melbourne's CBD and inner suburbs, chair rentals are among the highest due to demand and foot traffic. Aronsalon in Fitzroy charges $540 per week, reflecting the area's trendy and artsy reputation. Hair Retreat in South Melbourne offers chair rentals at $480 per week, while Piccadilly Smith Hair Design tops the list at $600 per week. Finally, Zane’s Hair in North Melbourne charges $400 per week for a chair.

South-East Suburbs

The southeastern suburbs offer a range of high to moderate chair rental rates. In Prahran, Beatnik Studio charges $400 per week, while The DO Salon in St Kilda asks for $520. Nylon Salon in Ripponlea charges $528 per week for a chair, and both Ambyanz Hair in Brighton and Sochi Hair in Malvern East rent chairs for $480. These suburbs are known for affluent clientele, making them more expensive options.

Northern Suburbs

In the northern suburbs, Alexiamane Salon in Northcote rents chairs for $500 per week, reflecting the area's growing popularity. Connie in Princes Hill offers one of the lowest rental prices at $360 per week. In Flemington, Studio58 Hair Salon matches the city's highest price of $600 per week, while Blondes and Co in Templestowe Lower rents chairs for $480 per week.

Western Suburbs

The western suburbs of Melbourne are the most affordable for salon chair rentals. Barbie Dream Salon in Braybrook charges $380 per week, and Highland Hair in Avondale Heights offers one of the lowest rates at $340 per week, making these areas attractive for salon professionals looking to keep costs down.

Day rates and multi-day discounts

Many Melbourne salons also rent chairs by the day, typically between $80 and $160 depending on the suburb (MuseAvenue figures, April 2024). Many offer a discount for consecutive days booked in the same week, often 5% to 20% for each extra day, which makes longer bookings better value for hairdressers and keeps chairs filled for salon owners.

What to consider beyond price

• Location and foot traffic: high-traffic areas bring more walk-in clients, while suburban salons rely more on repeat customers and local referrals.
• Salon reputation and atmosphere: the salon's look, branding and client base should match your personal style and professional image.
• Included amenities and services: some salons provide marketing support, product discounts or reception services, which can make a real difference to your business.

Tips before you sign

• Compare different salons: visit several, ask how their pricing works and get a feel for the environment.
• Understand your rental agreement: check for hidden costs, the length of the rental and any obligations that come with it.
• Browse Melbourne salons to compare chair rental rates and amenities.

Conclusion

Chair rental prices for salons in Melbourne can vary widely depending on the location. Central areas like South Melbourne and Fitzroy command the highest rates, while the outer suburbs offer more affordable options. On average, chair rentals cost $448 per week, but it's essential to weigh the rental price against the potential clientele and foot traffic when choosing a location for your salon business.

Sources: MuseAvenue database figures for October 2024. Prices exclude GST and are for a 5-day week.