How Much Does It Cost to Become a Loctician in Australia?

Money is one of the first things people ask me about, and one of the last things they feel comfortable asking about. So let me be open with you.

Becoming a loctician in Australia costs more than a course fee. There is training, possibly a qualification depending on your state, tools, furniture, business setup and insurance. Some of it you pay once. Some of it comes back every year. Here is how I would think about it.

1. Training

This is usually the biggest single cost, and it varies enormously. Free videos cost nothing but often cost you years. Group workshops cost less than one-to-one training but give you less of the teacher's attention.

My own training, The Professional Loctician In-Person Training, costs $4,599 USD. For that you get two one-to-one days with me in the capital of your state or territory, a video call before we meet, five coaching calls afterwards, our private community, lifetime access to The Professional Loctician Online Course and six bonus courses, and a path to Seienstyle certification. If you want to talk about payment options, send me an email.

Australia is a big country, so think also about travel to your capital city, and the cost of your hair models' materials.

2. A hairdressing qualification, if you need one

In New South Wales and South Australia, the law requires people doing hairdressing for a fee to be qualified, usually with a Certificate III in Hairdressing. If that applies to the work you want to do, it is a significant cost in both time and money. In other states it is generally not required. Read more in Do You Need to Be a Qualified Hairdresser to Make Dreadlocks in Australia?

3. Tools

The good news is that the tools for making dreadlocks are not expensive compared with many other hair services. But buy quality. Cheap tools wear out your hands, and your hands are the most valuable tool you have.

4. Furniture and your workspace

This is where I see people save in the wrong place. A good chair for your client, the right height for you, and good light are not luxuries when you work twelve-hour days. They are what lets you keep working for decades. Read more in How to Work as a Loctician in Australia Without Wrecking Your Body.

Then there is the space itself. A home salon, a rented chair or your own studio all come with very different costs.

5. Business setup

• An ABN. Free to apply for, and the starting point for working as a sole trader.
• Business name registration with ASIC, if you trade under a name other than your own.
• Council registration. Some councils require hairdressing premises to be registered, and there is usually a fee.
• Insurance. Public liability and professional indemnity insurance protect you and your clients.
• Booking system, website and photos. These are how clients find you and trust you.
• Accounting. As a sole trader, you need to set money aside for tax. A good accountant pays for themselves.

6. The cost of not training properly

This one doesn't show up on a receipt. It is the clients you don't get because your portfolio isn't strong yet. The months spent unlearning habits. The pain in your wrists. I have seen all of this, and it is often more expensive than a good training would have been.

Think of it as an investment

A loctician with good technique, a body that can last and a clear way of working can earn a real living from this craft. I write about that honestly in How Much Does a Loctician Earn in Australia?

Read more about The Professional Loctician In-Person Training

Do you want help thinking through your budget? Send me an email at [email protected]. I will answer honestly, even if I think the time is not right for you yet.

With love,
Ann-Marie