Starting your own massage clinic is an enormous – some would say frightening – undertaking. But with the right credentials, a penchant for online marketing and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, it’s an entirely achievable goal. But before you get started, read over the following considerations: 

Start by getting qualified

The first thing to do when looking to open up a massage therapy clinic is to get yourself qualified. There are a range of schools and training centres to choose from, which is all the more reason to shop around and sign up through a provider with a spotless reputation. You can start your search on the Internet, browsing reviews and testimonials of past students to get an idea of course quality. 

Look for a college or institute that focuses on hands-on practice. There’s plenty of theory and terminology to cover in this type of training, but students require hands-on experience under the watchful eye of an instructor in order to put that theory into practice. You’ll find that many massage courses in Melbourne and other individual cities are often part of a greater, national network. With that in mind, you might be able to find certified courses very close to home. 

Remember – training as a massage therapist requires certification in several different categories. If you’re going to operate your own clinic, you’ll need to be an expert in all categories. Look for certification in the following areas:

• Remedial massage
• Whole body massage
• Deep tissue and common injuries (usually available in several certification levels)
• Massage therapy
• Therapist career management (important for anyone opening their own clinic)

Registering with a reputable massage association

You’ll have plenty of these in your area to choose from. In fact, you’ll probably be introduced to one or more while you’re enrolled in courses. Getting registered paves the way to a range of benefits, including broader representation in the market (through directory listings), professional indemnity and public liability insurance, support services and subscriptions to leading industry journals. The fact that most massage associations have minimum requirements for members, your potential customers will seek out your services with more confidence in your credentials and abilities.  

Registering your business

In Australia, you also have to obtain an Australian Business Number (ABN), which you can apply for online through the Australian government’s business resource website. You’ll also need to register with the health funds, in case some of your massage clients would like to apply for a rebate through their health funds. You’ll receive a unique provider number that allows the health funds to identify your particular business and proceed with the rebate. 

Building up a client base

At this point, you’re ready to get started in the massage industry. Building a client base could involve working with an existing massage clinic for a few months before striking out on your own. If you choose to forego this step, then the next step is to purchase or lease space for your clinic and fill it with purchased or rented equipment. Location is everything, so be careful and methodical in working out this aspect of your service. Some people set up shop close to neighbourhoods where their existing clients are based; others are more intent on finding a location with plenty of foot traffic and relying on walk-up business. 

There’s another option as well. If you’re not ready to go the whole way with leasing an expensive venue, you may consider launching a mobile massage service, which you advertise online. In this case, you go to your clients and massage them there.

Discover Massage is a business in Melbourne that offers courses for becoming a massage therapist. Additional information about their courses or certifications can be found at discovermassage.com.au.