The Rise of the Freelance Beauty Professional , Navigating a New Era of Independence.

The Australian beauty landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with more professionals than ever breaking away from traditional employment to embrace freelance independence. From nail artists setting up home studios to makeup artists building mobile businesses, and beauticians offering personalised treatments from dedicated spaces, the trend shows no signs of slowing down.

What was once viewed as a distant possibility has rapidly become reality, with the pandemic acting as both disruption and catalyst for this shift in how beauty professionals work.

Whether you’re considering going solo, already made the jump, or just curious about what all the fuss is about, understanding the realities of freelance beauty work has never been more crucial.

The transition isn’t just about changing workplaces; it’s about reimagining career possibilities. But it also means getting your head around the real stuff that matters, think sorting out your ABN situation without getting tangled up with the ATO, or working out which insurance you actually need versus what gets pushed on you.

Expert advice from registered BAS agent Cassandra Scott provides crucial practical tips: “You absolutely should separate personal and business finances. Keeping your TFN out of business transactions helps protect your privacy and minimises risk.” Her rule of thumb for financial planning? Set aside 25–30% of your income for tax obligations, and 11.5% for superannuation (increasing to 12% from July 2025). “You don’t want surprises at tax time, and the ATO has no patience with late payers. Automate your savings if you can,” Scott advises.

Take Sara Teixeira, who’s been in the industry for over 32 years. “I started freelancing before buying my business,” she explains. “Over the years, my business has evolved, and today, I work independently.” Then there’s Emily Mae Canu, who found her niche: “I’m free to focus on what I love”.

The freelance path isn’t without challenges, especially when you consider how client behaviour is shifting in the beauty industry. Recent industry data from Shortcuts’ Industry Report reveals that only 53% of beauty clients book their next appointment before leaving, with many beauty services seeing clients return every 12 weeks on average. Emily’s advice on managing the business side is refreshingly honest: “Always put away a percentage of your earnings every month to cover your tax bill and accounting costs... The alternative is a nasty shock at the end of the year – and be warned, the ATO will not be sympathetic if you haven’t got it covered.”

What makes the difference between success and struggle are real experiences and expert insights. Emily’s approach to authenticity has shaped her success: “Best decision was to stay true to myself in my work. If I remain authentic to my values in my business, then my trustworthiness and honesty will be relayed to my clients.” For beauty professionals, understanding that retention rates are lower than for the hair industry (72% vs 82%) means working harder to keep clients coming back, especially when beauty services often have longer gaps between appointments.

The technology aspect is crucial for independent operators. As Sara points out, being able to “access my schedule anytime, anywhere, which helps me stay on top of bookings without being tied to the salon all day” has been game-changing for her workflow. This flexibility matters more than ever for beauty professionals working from home studios or offering mobile services, where traditional salon infrastructure isn’t available.

The traditional salon model is evolving rapidly, but so are clients. With lifestyle factors playing a larger role in booking decisions and clients increasingly flexible with their work schedules, the demand for accessible, round-the-clock booking options has never been higher. Beauty businesses also have significant opportunities in retail, with industry data showing retail can represent up to 22% of total revenue. Setting up affiliation partnerships with product brands and suppliers can provide additional income streams for independent operators. Whether freelancing is the right path for you is entirely personal, but understanding what’s involved helps you make informed decisions about your career future.

The freelance beauty revolution is here, and the professionals who understand both the opportunities and challenges are the ones thriving in this new landscape.

Needing a solution to support your solo beauty business? Check out Shortcuts Aire at www. shortcutsaire.com, it’s free!

* All the industry data points are cited from the November 2024 report “prepared by Shortcuts Australia Pty Limited” that covers 711 customers across Australia and New Zealand from September 2023 to August 2024.