Yes — a spray tan technician course is worth it in Australia if you want to add a low-overhead, high-demand service to your beauty business. Spray tanning requires minimal equipment, no salon premises, and can be offered as a mobile service. A quality online course gives you the technique, safety knowledge, and business confidence to start charging clients within weeks.
Spray tanning is one of the most accessible beauty services to launch from home or as a mobile technician. But is the training investment worth it? Here's what you need to know about earning potential, startup costs, and what a good spray tan course actually covers.
What does a spray tan technician earn in Australia?
Spray tan services in Australia typically range from $50 to $120 per appointment, depending on your location, whether you're mobile or home-based, and your experience level. A busy spray tan technician doing five to eight appointments per week can generate $1,000–$2,500 in weekly revenue from spray tanning alone.
Many spray tan technicians offer the service as an add-on to other treatments — lash extensions, brow lamination, waxing — which increases their average booking value without adding significant time or cost. That's one reason spray tan training appeals to beauty technicians who are already operating.
How much does a spray tan technician course cost?
Bela Beauty College's Spray Tan Course is priced at $1,499 without a kit or $1,999 with a full professional kit included. That kit contains the equipment you need to start taking paying clients — which means many students recoup the full course cost within their first few months of operating.
Compare that to investing in an airbrush setup, solutions, and accessories separately, and the with-kit option often represents better overall value for someone starting from scratch.
What does a spray tan course cover?
A comprehensive spray tan technician course covers more than just holding the spray gun. Bela's Spray Tan Course includes:
- How spray tanning solutions work (DHA, colour guides, base tones)
- Skin preparation and pre-tan consultations
- Application technique for streak-free, even results
- Understanding undertones and selecting the right solution for different skin types
- Aftercare instructions to give clients
- Health and safety, including ventilation, barrier cream, and protective equipment
- Setting up a home-based or mobile spray tan service
- Pricing and client management basics
The course is delivered entirely online through pre-recorded video lessons, so you can work through it at your own pace around existing work or family commitments.
Do you need a licence to do spray tans in Australia?
No government licence is required specifically to perform spray tanning services in Australia. However, you are expected to demonstrate appropriate training and knowledge of the chemicals and procedures involved, particularly for insurance purposes. A reputable course certificate gives you the evidence of competency that insurance providers and clients expect to see.
Some states have general requirements around home-based business registration and public liability insurance — but these apply to all beauty services, not spray tanning specifically. Your local council website is the best source of information for home-based business rules in your area.
Is a spray tan business viable as a side income?
Spray tanning is genuinely one of the easiest beauty services to launch as a secondary income alongside a day job or existing business. Appointments are typically 30–45 minutes, the equipment is portable, and demand spikes around summer, weddings, and events. Many technicians build a loyal client base through word of mouth within their first year.
The low startup cost relative to other beauty services — especially when you don't need a salon lease — means the break-even point arrives quickly for most practitioners.
Ready to become a spray tan technician?
Bela Beauty College's Spray Tan Course is a fully online, self-paced program designed to take you from complete beginner to confident technician. Enrol any time, study at your pace, and have your Bela certificate ready to show clients and insurers.
Already doing other beauty services? Consider bundling with the Waxing Mastery Bundle to expand your service menu even further.
Enrol in the Spray Tan Course →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a spray tan technician course worth it in Australia?
Yes. Spray tanning is a low-overhead, high-demand service. A quality course teaches technique and safety knowledge, and most students recoup the training investment within their first few months of taking paying clients.
How much can you earn as a spray tan technician in Australia?
Spray tan services typically range from $50 to $120 per session. A technician doing five to eight sessions per week can earn $1,000–$2,500 weekly from spray tanning alone, with higher earnings possible in busy seasons.
Do I need a licence to do spray tans in Australia?
No specific government licence is required for spray tanning in Australia. However, a reputable training certificate is important for insurance purposes and client confidence.
How long does a spray tan course take?
Bela's Spray Tan Course is self-paced. Most students complete it within four to eight weeks studying part-time, though you can go faster or slower depending on your schedule.
Can I do spray tanning from home?
Yes. Spray tanning is one of the most popular home-based beauty services in Australia. It requires a dedicated space with appropriate ventilation and protective equipment, but no salon premises are necessary.
What equipment do I need to start doing spray tans?
The basics are a professional spray tan machine, solutions, a pop-up tent, barrier cream, sticky feet, and disposal underwear. Bela's with-kit course option includes the professional equipment needed to start taking clients.
What certificate do I get from a spray tan course?
You receive a Bela Beauty College Certificate in Spray Tanning — a private-provider certificate accepted by most Australian beauty insurance providers.
