Melbourne has more salons than any other Australian city — 1,001 of them — but spread across 5.2 million people, that's still only one per 5,200. And like the rest of the country, the trade is barely online: just 15% have a website. For a stylist, Melbourne offers depth (a big, style-conscious market) without the saturation of its cafe scene.
The short version
A large, style-aware market that's still under-digitised. The inner-north (Fitzroy, Brunswick) is the trend-setting, more-online end; the multicultural west and south-east are wide open. A chair-rental start keeps risk low. Win on delivering the exact look, transparent colour pricing, genuine warmth, and being findable where almost no one is.
1. Deep market, two halves
Melbourne's salons split along familiar lines. The trend-driven inner-north — Brunswick (53), Fitzroy (44) — is busier and more online (28–36%). The multicultural west and south-east — Footscray (38, 5%), Dandenong and Box Hill (both 0%) — have real client demand and almost no salon competing online. Choosing which Melbourne you serve is the first decision.
2. What it costs to start
- Rent a chair: Melbourne CBD chair rent runs about A$500–700/week (less in the suburbs), usually with basin, power and front-desk. Bring your clients and tools — the lowest-risk way in.
- Open your own: a small salon fit-out and equipment commonly runs from ~A$20,000; no kitchen and a small footprint keep setup far lighter than a cafe.
Discretionary, softening at the top
3. What you can charge
Real AU prices in 2025–26: women's cut and blow-dry about A$75–125; men's/short cut A$40–70; full-head colour A$150–175; foils from A$150 to A$290+. Style-conscious Melbourne supports the upper end — provided the result earns it.
4. What clients actually complain about
We read a sample of Melbourne salons' Google reviews. The average is an excellent 4.84. The rare bad reviews are sharp and specific.
The cut doesn't match the brief
The number-one complaint: "asked for my hair about shoulder length, the cut itself is just bad." "Asked for long curtain bangs, got short ones that don't suit my face." A friendly stylist who doesn't deliver the look still earns a one-star.
Overpriced for the result
"Seriously overpriced for the quality of service." Melbourne clients will pay, but they measure the result against the bill, and a premium price with an ordinary outcome reads as a rip-off.
Colour process gone wrong
"Told one colour at the sink and another at the chair — after the sink application it went wrong." Colour is where the money and the risk are; sloppy process is the costliest mistake.
No greeting, no warmth
"Didn't even get a hi or hello." In a relationship business, cold service undercuts even competent work.
5. Online — but only just
At 15% online, Melbourne salons are barely more digital than Sydney. The inner-north leads (Fitzroy 36%, Brunswick 28%), but the busy western and south-eastern suburbs are near-zero: Footscray 5%, Dandenong and Box Hill 0%. Open there and a simple bookable website is a standout advantage.
6. If you're going to open here
Pick your Melbourne
Trend-led inner-north or under-served multicultural suburbs — they're different businesses. Choose on your skills and your clients.
Deliver the exact look
The top complaint is “not what I asked for.” A real consult and honest expectations prevent most one-stars.
Be precise and transparent on colour
Colour is the money and the risk. Confirm the process and the price before you start.
Be findable
In the suburbs especially, a bookable website beats nearly everyone — most salons here are invisible online.
The data: Melbourne salons by suburb
By suburb, sorted by count, with the share running a website. Red flags a wide-open online gap. Click any suburb for the full breakdown.
| Suburb | Cafes | Have a website |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne CBD | 64 | 12% |
| Brunswick | 53 | 28% |
| Fitzroy | 44 | 36% |
| Footscray | 38 | 5% |
| Preston | 33 | 21% |
| Carlton | 19 | 21% |
| Dandenong | 17 | 0% |
| Box Hill | 10 | 0% |
Source: OpenStreetMap open business data, Melbourne hair salons, mid-2026.
Sources & method
- Counts, suburbs, website %: OpenStreetMap open data, 1,001 Melbourne salons, mid-2026.
- Ratings & reviews: Google Places sample, June 2026; businesses anonymous in the complaints section.
- Prices, chair rent, industry size: real AU salon price lists, Lyvi chair-rent data, IBISWorld Australia, 2025. Some figures derived; treat as a guide.
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