Beauty salons for sale in Melbourne are listed regularly across business-for-sale marketplaces including Business2Sell, Seek Business, and BizBuySell, with asking prices typically ranging from $30,000 for small nail bars through to $350,000 or more for established full-service salons with strong lease terms and loyal clientele. The Melbourne market is active across inner suburbs, shopping strips, and suburban centres, giving buyers genuine options at multiple price points.
What You Can Expect to Find on the Market
Listings in Melbourne span a wide range of business types: nail salons, waxing studios, hair and beauty combos, skin clinics, and lash and brow specialists. Inner-city suburbs such as South Yarra, Fitzroy, Richmond, and St Kilda regularly see turnover, as do shopping centre-based tenancies in the eastern and southeastern suburbs. A salon turning over $300,000 to $500,000 annually with a trained staff in place typically lists between $100,000 and $250,000, depending on lease length remaining, equipment condition, and whether the owner is willing to stay on for a handover period. Smaller walk-in nail or waxing studios with lower fit-out costs often appear under $80,000.
Fit-out value is a significant factor. A salon with hydraulic chairs, sinks, upgraded lighting, and quality reception furniture can justify a higher price than raw turnover alone would suggest, since replicating that fit-out from scratch in Melbourne typically costs $80,000 to $150,000 or more depending on size and location.
Where to Search and What to Check
The main platforms to search are Business2Sell (business2sell.com.au), Seek Business (seekbusiness.com.au), and BizBuySell (bizbuysell.com.au). Some listings also appear on Gumtree and through commercial business brokers such as LINK Business, Finn Business Sales, and First Choice Business Brokers, all of which operate Melbourne offices. Filtering by category (health and beauty) and by price range will narrow results quickly.
Before making an offer, request at least two years of profit and loss statements, current lease terms including options to renew, staff contracts, and a list of included equipment. A retail or commercial lease in Melbourne with fewer than two years remaining (and no option) is a material risk, particularly in high-foot-traffic strips where landlords may not renew on favourable terms.
Licences and Transfer Requirements
Most beauty salon services in Victoria do not require a specific state licence, but skin penetration procedures such as laser, IPL, and certain cosmetic treatments may require registration with the Department of Health. Council registration for skin penetration businesses is required in Victoria under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act, and this registration transfers with the premises rather than the owner, so confirm the current registration status before settlement. An ABN transfer or new ABN registration will also be needed depending on the sale structure (asset sale versus share sale).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a beauty salon cost to buy in Melbourne?
Entry-level nail bars and small waxing studios can be found from around $25,000 to $60,000. Mid-tier salons with staff and established clientele typically list from $80,000 to $200,000. Full-service salons in premium locations with long leases can exceed $300,000.
Do I need experience in beauty to buy a salon in Melbourne?
You do not need to be a qualified therapist to own a salon, but most lenders and brokers will expect you to demonstrate business management experience. Hiring a qualified manager or retaining existing staff is a common arrangement for owners without a beauty background.
Can I get finance to buy a beauty salon in Melbourne?
Yes. Small business loans through banks and non-bank lenders are available, and some sellers offer vendor finance arrangements. The NAB, ANZ, and several specialist SME lenders assess goodwill-heavy businesses on a case-by-case basis, typically requiring a deposit of 30 to 50 per cent.
