Opening a salon in Australia (2026): ABN, GST, Fair Work, state licensing

5/11/20267 min read

ABN registration, $75k GST threshold, Hair and Beauty Industry Award rates, and skin-penetration licensing per state.

ABN and GST

Apply for an ABN free at abr.gov.au. Register for GST once turnover reaches $75,000 AUD in any 12 months (or from day one if you want to claim GST credits on fit-out).

Hair and Beauty Industry Award

Wages and conditions are set by the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010 (MA000005). Junior rates, weekend penalty rates (Saturday +33%, Sunday +75%), and minimum 3-hour shifts apply. Underpayment claims are common — use compliant rostering software.

Skin-penetration licensing

Tattooing, microblading, piercing, and some advanced beauty services require a skin-penetration permit from your local council. NSW, VIC, and QLD each have their own infection-control standards.

Superannuation

Pay 11.5% super (rising to 12% July 2025) on top of wages, into the employee's chosen fund, quarterly minimum. Contractors who are mostly working for you may also be entitled.

Online bookings

70%+ of bookings now come through phone, Instagram, or Google. Beautifyx routes Google Reserve and Instagram DMs straight into your calendar with no booking fees.

Everything Beautifyx actually does

One place to run bookings, payments, clients, staff and marketing — built for beauty, wellness and birth professionals.

Online booking

A booking page clients can use 24/7, with deposits, reminders and no double-bookings.

Payments & checkout

Take cards, cash, tap to pay and payment links, with receipts sent automatically.

Client records

Visit history, notes, photos, consent forms and intake forms in one client file.

Marketing & reminders

Automatic appointment reminders, review requests and campaigns to past clients.

Inventory & costs

Track product use per service so you can see the real profit on every appointment.

Your own website

A booking-ready site and public profile that gets you found by new clients.

Start free, grow into the full platform

Pick the door that fits where you are today. All three lead to the same place: a business that books itself.

Claim your free profile

Free profile: add your services, photos and hours so clients can find and book you.

Price your services properly

Free calculators for pricing, profit, no-shows and commission — no account needed.

Run the whole business

Bookings, payments, clients, staff, marketing and reports. 14-day free trial, then $29.99/month with unlimited staff.

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