Winning a nationally recognised award can help your business stand out from the crowed, increase exposure and boost credibility. The annual Australian Salon Awards help local businesses get the recognition they deserve.

You must have the spirit of an entrepreneur having started your own salon business. You have a passion for beauty, developed your skills, and have decided to take the leap to rent a space for your very own salon.

Winning the Australian Salon Awards could be a great way to give your business a boost and increase your client base.

There are many types of beauty and wellness salons and you may want to know whether or not your business is eligible to be nominated for an award.

Here is a list of salon services that can enter the 2026 awards.

Hair Salons

The hair salon is one of the most popular types of salons. This business encompasses all things related to hair from cutting to styling to coloring.

You can tailor this type of salon from basic services to a more high-end experience depending on your budget and skill level.

The more simple approach is to offer hair cuts and simple coloring services. If you get the proper training you can also include perms, more intricate colour techniques and even trendy hair designs.

The higher-end establishments also provide extra perks for their customers. Some have a selection of herbal teas or coffee and offer light refreshments while they wait.

You can even offer makeup consultations and services for a special occasion or photoshoot. These are very popular for bridal parties. The products used can also be available for purchase.

Renting just the right space for your hair salon will help determine its success. It should be located near other businesses with easy access to parking. It is a good idea to research to make sure are no other competing salons nearby.

Wellness Salons & Day SPA

You might ask yourself, do all beauty salons offer hair coloring services? The answer is no. You may be operating a spa salon with a completely different atmosphere and are eligible to enter the Salon Awards.

A spa, or day spa, is a place where your clients can get a total body experience.

You can offer an array of massages from Swedish, to hot stone and deep tissue options. You can even have aromatherapy massage.

Day spas might include a variety of skin and facial treatments as well. These services help treat fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, and even acne.

If you become trained in microdermabrasion, you can also help with age spots, stretch marks, and sun damage.

There are so many services available in a day spa setting that you can tailor your salon as varied or specialized as you want.

The rental location for your day spa should be in a well-lit and attractive part of town. Look for spaces near retail establishments as they will increase your walk-in traffic.

Retail businesses also stay open on the weekends and evenings and will go well with your operating hours.

Nail Salon

A nail salon is another option as a beauty service selection.

In this setting, you will offer manicures and pedicures. In addition to painting the nails, skincare for the hands and feet are a priority.

There are also many specialty nail products today including gel, wraps, acrylic and press-on nails. A popular new trend is special designs and decorations on the nails as well.

In choosing your rental space for a nail salon, you can usually opt for a smaller area. It doesn’t require as much room as a hair salon or spa. Again, you want to be near other businesses and located where there is plenty of parking and even public transportation access.

Tanning Salons

If you want to help people look like they have spent a day at the beach, you can open a tanning salon.

This type of salon has a variety of equipment for all skin types. There are stand-up and bed models to choose from.

There are also spray tan options for those who do not want to be exposed to UV rays.

These salons offer skincare lotions to help provide protection during the tanning process. There are also self-tanning creams.

When deciding on your rental space for a tanning salon, look for other nearby beauty businesses. Obviously, you don’t want to be near another tanning location, but you will attract more clients if you are close to other beauty services.

The World of Different Types of Beauty

More and more people today are taking the time to invest in themselves. They want to look and feel better. They eat healthy, exercise and appreciate self-care and personal development.

A big part of this trend focuses on the world of beauty. There is a high demand for salons to provide a wide variety of beauty services and with a nationally recognised award, your business is sure to stand out amongst the crowd.

Enter the 2026 Salon Awards by nominating your business here.