Becoming A Massage Therapist: What You Need To Know

Jul 16, 2021

Are you thinking about becoming a massage therapist?

Massage therapy is a rewarding career that allows you to provide a valuable service to people who are in pain, suffering chronic conditions, or who simply need to relax from the daily stresses of life.

There are many factors to consider when becoming a massage therapist. For anyone who is serious about entering this profession, the journey begins at a professional massage therapy school. Here, you can learn the fundamentals of massage therapy and receive the required accreditations to begin work in an established practice or run your own massage business.

This article will answer all the common questions and considerations you may have about becoming a massage therapist.

Where can I run a massage business from?

It is entirely possible to run a massage therapy business either from a formal shop or day spa setting or from your own home. However, there are many things to consider if you’re setting up your business. Working from home means you must first be qualified through a course, have association membership and have professional indemnity insurance.

From there, you will also have to become a member of an association such as the Massage Association of Australia or the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT). This will allow you to obtain your Professional Indemnity Insurance which protects you, your business, and your clients.

When starting a massage business from home, along with ensuring your space is adequately set up (having a dedicated room furnished with a massage table, seating, decorations, and equipment) you also need to register an ABN. This is a relatively simple process that can be done entirely online.

How much does it cost to start a massage business?

Generally, the cost of starting a massage business will depend entirely on your business and location. Luckily, massage therapy is one of the least expensive businesses you can start.  You will need to prepare for your initial start-up expenses and then plan and budget for monthly recurring costs.

Practical budget:

The best thing you can do prior to starting your massage therapy business is to make a budget. When starting out, all you need is the basic necessities. As long as you have space, the massage tables, and related equipment – you can hold off those extra items until you start building a steady revenue stream.

Items required:

There are some items that are absolutely necessary to have prior to starting your business. These include:

  1. Your table setup (massage table, rolling stool, bolsters, table pad, etc.)
  2. Sheets, towels, and linens
  3. Client chair, lighting, basic furnishings
  4. Oils, lotions, and creams
  5. Marketing materials (business cards, brochures, etc.)

Ongoing expenses:

Your ongoing expenses are the costs you need to make to keep your business running. This includes:

  1. Industry Association Membership=
  2. Indemnity Insurance
  3. Ongoing training/upskilling
  4. Business software and IT setup
  5. Phone/phone bills
  6. Towel Washing Facilities (Normally at Home)
  7. Marketing and advertising
  8. Music
  9. Supply restocks
  10. Personal care items for client use
  11. Business overheads/rent

When it comes to the cost of starting and running a massage therapy business, the biggest cost is often the rent. One of the ways you can reduce rental costs by considering mobile massage options. There is way less overhead involved compared to stationary business models, and mobile massage proves to be extremely popular with great income potential.

Start your career as a massage therapist today!

Start your career in massage therapy with confidence. Discover Massage Australia has the industry-recognised courses you need to become a qualified, fully accredited massage therapist.

Discover the massage career you’ve been dreaming of with our range of flexible course options designed to give you the best head-start. Once you’ve got the qualifications, you might be serious about starting your own massage business. We have the resources and the professional insight needed to help you. You can also check out The Ultimate Guide to Setting Up a Massage Business and find all you need to know to get started on this exciting and rewarding journey.

Cameron Aubrey

Cameron Aubrey has over 20 years experience in the massage industry, and leads the team as Course Director at Discover Massage Australia. Cameron holds a Diploma in Remedial Massage, and his expertise runs across a large range of massage techniques, particularly sports, Swedish and whole body massage.