Opening your own shop is a big step, and the fit out is where budgets either hold together or blow out. A clear barber shop equipment list keeps you focused on what you need on day one, what can wait, and what you should never skimp on. This guide works through the full list for barbers and hairdressers, with a few notes for anyone setting up in Newcastle NSW, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and the wider Hunter.
It is written for barbers and stylists who are going out on their own for the first time, and for owners planning a second site.
Before you buy anything: plan the space
Equipment decisions start with the floor plan. Measure the space, mark where plumbing and power points sit, and decide how many stations you can fit while still leaving room to move around each chair. Shampoo units need water and drainage, so their position is often fixed by the plumbing.
Talk to your local council early. NSW Health advises that hairdressing and barber businesses must be registered with the local council, meet planning and building standards and have all necessary approvals before opening. In the Hunter that means City of Newcastle, Maitland City Council, Lake Macquarie City Council, Port Stephens Council or Cessnock City Council, depending on your address. Councils can also tell you what they expect to see at inspection, such as a dedicated hand basin.
The barber shop equipment list
Stations and furniture
- Barber chairs, one per station, with a hydraulic pump and recline
- Mirrors and a station or bench for each chair
- Trolleys or drawers for tools at each station
- Anti fatigue mats for standing barbers
- Waiting area seating and a reception desk
- Coat hooks or storage for client belongings
- A barber pole or signage for the shopfront
Barber chairs are the single most visible investment. On the Elite Hair Supplier site, single Karma barber chairs are listed from $795 to $1,295 at the time of writing, and you can compare them in the furniture range. Prices and stock change, and some furniture may need to be ordered in, so check the current listing, lead time and any trade pricing before you budget.
If you want a traditional finishing touch for the front window, there is a range of barber poles to choose from.
Cutting tools
- Clippers, at least one cordless and one corded or backup per barber
- Trimmers and a T blade trimmer for line ups
- Foil shavers for skin fades
- Spare blades and guards
- Scissors and thinning scissors
- Straight razor handles that take disposable blades
- Combs, fade brushes and neck dusters
- Sectioning clips and spray bottles
Hygiene and cleaning
This part of the list is not optional. NSW Health’s guidance for hairdressers and barbers says all equipment must be cleaned between clients, detachable clipper blades must be cleaned before reuse, and sterile single use razors should be used for shaving and disposed of in an appropriate sharps container. Budget for:
- A separate sink for cleaning tools, plus a dedicated hand wash basin
- Detergent suitable for cleaning equipment
- Disinfectant and surface wipes for benches and chairs
- Clipper oil and blade spray
- Sharps containers that meet the relevant Australian Standard
- Fresh towels or capes for each client, and neck strips
- Lidded bins and single use gloves
Consumables and products
- Shaving cream or gel and aftershave
- Styling products for finishing and retail
- Shampoo and conditioner in backbar sizes
- Talc or powder and cologne
- Retail shelving if you plan to sell product
The salon equipment list
If you are opening a hair salon rather than, or as well as, a barber shop, your salon equipment list adds colour and washing equipment.
Washing
Shampoo units are the core of any salon. They combine a basin, chair and often a footrest in one unit. Elite Hair Supplier stocks Karma complete shampoo units, which you can compare on the site. Plan for a licensed plumber to install whichever unit you choose.
Styling and colour
- Styling chairs with hydraulic pumps
- Hood dryers or accelerators for colour processing
- Colour bowls, brushes, scales and foils
- A dispensary area with storage for colour and developer
- Hair dryers, straighteners and curling tools
- Salon trolleys for colour and styling stations
You can browse the full salon furniture range to compare chairs, units and stations side by side.
How much does it cost to open a barber shop in Australia?
This is one of the most searched questions for new owners, and the honest answer is that it depends heavily on the site. The main cost buckets are:
- Lease, bond and any landlord contributions
- Fit out works, including plumbing, electrical, flooring and joinery
- Furniture, such as chairs, stations, shampoo units and reception
- Tools and equipment for each barber
- Opening stock and consumables
- Council approvals, insurance and signage
- Booking software, point of sale and marketing
Hair salon fit out costs tend to run higher than barber fit outs because of extra plumbing for basins and a colour dispensary. Rather than relying on a figure from the internet, get written quotes from local tradespeople and price your equipment list line by line. That will give you a realistic number for your own shop.
Ways to keep the budget under control
- Buy the chairs and tools you need for the barbers you have now, not the team you hope to hire next year.
- Spend more on items that work hardest, such as chairs and clippers, and less on decorative extras.
- Buy consumables in bulk once you know what moves.
- Order furniture early, as lead times can affect your opening date.
Hairdressing supplies Newcastle: buying local in the Hunter
Searches for hairdressing supplies Newcastle and salon supplies Maitland show how many Hunter owners prefer to buy locally. For heavy items such as chairs and shampoo units, being able to collect from a nearby warehouse can save time and makes it easier to inspect what you are buying.
Elite Hair Supplier’s head office and store is at Unit 1/21 Babilla Cl, Beresfield NSW 2322, between Newcastle and Maitland. Details are on the Beresfield store page, and Click and Collect is available for online orders. Salons from Kotara, Charlestown, Cessnock, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens can order ahead and collect. For barbers in particular, there is more on local supply on the Newcastle barber supplies page.
A simple opening week checklist
- Council registration and approvals confirmed
- Furniture installed, plumbing tested and chairs adjusted
- Tools charged, oiled and cleaned
- Cleaning procedures written down and staff trained
- Sharps containers, disinfectant and spare towels in place
- Opening stock shelved and priced
- Booking system live and first clients confirmed
FAQ
What equipment do you need to open a barber shop?
At minimum you need barber chairs, mirrors and stations, clippers, trimmers and shavers, scissors and combs, cleaning and hygiene supplies, sharps containers, capes and towels, and somewhere for clients to wait.
How much does it cost to open a barber shop in Australia?
It varies with the lease, the condition of the space and the number of stations. Get local quotes for fit out works and price your equipment list item by item to build an accurate budget.
Do I need council approval to open a barber shop in NSW?
NSW Health advises that hairdressing and barber businesses must be registered with their local council and have all necessary approvals before opening. Contact your council early in the planning stage.
How many barber chairs should I start with?
Start with one chair per barber you will have working from day one, and leave space in your floor plan to add more as you grow.
Where can I buy salon supplies in Newcastle NSW?
There are several hair and beauty suppliers across Newcastle and the Hunter, including Elite Hair Supplier’s Beresfield store, which offers trade pricing for qualified professionals and Click and Collect.
Elite Hair Supplier supplies professional hair, beauty and barber products to salons and barbers across NSW, with Click and Collect at both stores.
Register for a wholesale account · Call 1300 893 252 · Email info@elitehairsupplier.com.au
Beresfield: Unit 1/21 Babilla Cl, Beresfield NSW 2322 · 1300 893 252
Wetherill Park: Unit 1A/31 Elizabeth St, Wetherill Park NSW 2164 · 1300 893 252
