Freelancing
Introduction to Freelancing in Australia
Written by Gavin Hinton,
Imagine: It’s 9:30am. You’ve just finished your morning coffee in your private suite. Your first client arrives—someone who followed you from your old salon because they love YOUR work. You keep 100% of today’s earnings. This is your business, your schedule, your success.
Summary
The salon suite market is experiencing steady nationwide growth. The rising costs of rent, utilities, beauty products, and wages have forced many salon owners to reconsider their pricing structures, while many beauty professionals are moving away from traditional commission-based salons to license private suites or operate as independent contractors.
The Freedom Suites model represents a strategic business opportunity for specific profiles of hair, beauty, and wellness professionals. In this article, we explore who stands to benefit most from suite licensing.
The Changing Landscape of the Beauty Industry
A fundamental transformation is underway in the hair and beauty industry in how salon professionals structure their careers.
In Australia, freelancers now make up more than a third of the workforce, with the choice to go freelance increasingly driven by a desire for greater autonomy and flexibility rather than necessity1. Australia ranks 4th among the leading freelance countries based on revenue growth, behind the Philippines, India and Japan2.
Whether you are an ambitions professional early in their career, looking to build their personal brand, an established professional looking to keep more of the revenue they are generating, or an experienced professional look for better work-life balance, freelancing may be for you.
Ambitious Mid-Career Professionals
Ready to Build a Brand
- 2-5 years of experience
- Growing but not yet fully established clientele
- Entrepreneurial mindset and business acumen
- Comfortable with social media and digital marketing
Freedom Suites offers the ability to create their own personal brand identity rather than working under some else’s image. They can develop a personalized experience that keeps their clients coming back and supplement their revenue with associated product sales and related services.
The flexibility that Freedom Suites offers allows them to make their ideas a reality without the constraint of working in a tradiational salon.
Established Professionals
With a Loyal Client Base
- 3-7+ years of industry experience
- Established clientele willing to follow them
- Currently working on commission
- Generating consistent weekly revenue
If a hair stylist in the commission business model saw five clients per day at an average sale of $100, that stylist would earn $500 per day but only keep $200 of that for themselves—approximately $1000 per week.
With the suite licensing model, that $500 per day means $1,650 a week after licensing and other costs.
Experienced Professionals
Seeking Work-Life Balance
- 10+ years in the industry
- Established reputation and premium pricing
- Parents or caregivers needing flexible scheduling
- Professionals experiencing burnout from salon culture/politics
- Those seeking to reduce hours while maintaining income
One of the most exciting things about pursuing a career in the beauty industry is the flexibility to choose your hours and working location—a career choice that fits in with your lifestyle.
With 24/7 access and complete schedule control, experienced professionals can set their own hours, pricing and services to maximize the value from the time the spend working and free up more time to enjoy life.
Your potential at Freedom Suites
Ever wondered how much you could be making working for yourself as an independent freelancer? Not sure how many clients it would take to make your business a success?
Preparing for Freelancing
Freelancing is no magic bullet. Like any opportunity in life, it still takes hard work and dedication to make it a success.
Business Responsibilities
The suite licensing model requires managing your business.
- Accounting and tax obligations (GST, income tax, business expenses)
- Inventory and supply management
- Appointment scheduling and client communication
- Confidence in business fundamentals
Client Base and Marketing
Your success is critically dependent on a steady and reliable client base.
- Basic understanding of marketing and social media
- Strong communication skills
- Proven ability to retain clients
- Ability to manage irregular cash flow
Other Prequisites
Before you start, ask whether you have what you need.
- Self-displine and time management skills
- Insurance and licensing requirements
- Equipment and product inventory for various services
- Financial planning for slower seasons
- Realistic expectations about business growth timeline
- Financial cushion to cover expenses during slow periods
Next Steps
Before transitioning to Freedom Suites, ensure you have:
- Assess Your Readiness: Use the profiles and checklists in this guide
- Emergency Fund: 2-3 months of living expenses
- Business Buffer: First month’s rent, bond (4 weeks), and initial supplies
- Income History: At least 6 months of earning in your current role
- Client Commitment: Commitments from majority of current clients
- Insurance: Professional indemnity and public liability coverage
- ABN and Tax Registration: Australian Business Number and GST registration
- Tour a Freedom Suites Location: Experience the facilities and community
- Run Your Numbers: Calculate your specific break-even and profit potential
- Plan Your Transition: Develop a 6-12 month strategic plan
- Take Action: Secure your suite and begin your journey to independence
The beauty industry’s future is increasingly independent, flexible, and entrepreneurial. If you match the ideal candidate profiles and are prepared for the responsibilities, Freedom Suites offers a proven pathway to professional and financial success.
Contact UsNot Sure If You’re Ready?
Take our 2-minute Freelance Readiness Assessment This quick quiz will help you understand:
✓ Your current readiness level
✓ Specific areas to develop
✓ Personalized timeline for success
Footnotes
About the Author
Gavin Hinton
Gavin Hinton is a highly respected leader in Australia’s hair and beauty industry, known for combining deep hands-on experience with strategic vision.
Beginning his career as a hairdresser, Gavin built an intimate understanding of the craft and the day-to-day realities of salon life—insights that now shape his work at the highest levels of the industry. As a Director of the Australian Hairdressing Council (AHC), he plays a central role in elevating professional standards, championing industry advocacy, and supporting the future of Australian salons.
Gavin is also the Co-Founder of Freedom Suites, one of Australia’s fastest-growing salon-suite networks, empowering freelancers with beautifully designed, flexible workspaces across the country. With a long track record in salon software, operations, property, and business growth, Gavin brings a rare blend of creative, commercial, and community-minded leadership to every project he touches.