Salon Booking Software in Australia: What to Look For

For most Australian salons, the booking system is the heart of the business. It decides how easily new clients can find a time, how many empty chairs you have when someone doesn't turn up, and how much time your front desk spends answering the phone.

This guide covers what to look for in salon booking software in Australia, whether you run a hair salon, a barber shop, a beauty or brow studio, a nail bar or a day spa, and finishes with a short checklist.

Online booking that clients actually use

Many clients would rather book at 10pm from the couch than ring during business hours. Good online booking should:

• Show real availability per staff member and, for treatments, per room or bed, so you don't get double-bookings.
• Respect service durations and buffers, for example processing time for colour or clean-up time between treatments.
• Let clients choose a specific stylist or therapist, or "anyone available".
• Live on your own website and booking link, so you can share it on Instagram, Google Business Profile and in your bio.
• Send an instant confirmation and a reminder before the appointment.
• Let clients reschedule or cancel themselves, within the rules you set (for example, not within 24 hours of the appointment).

Also check how online bookings look on a phone. Most clients will book from a mobile, so test the full flow yourself before you commit.

Deposits and no-show policies

No-shows and late cancellations cost salons real money, especially for long services such as colour, extensions or a two-hour facial. Booking software can help in a few ways:

• Optional deposits at the time of booking, either for all services or only for long or high-value ones.
• Automatic reminders so clients don't simply forget.
• Self-service rescheduling, so clients who can't make it move their booking instead of just not turning up.
• Notes on client profiles, so staff can see if someone has a history of missed appointments.

When you set up deposits, think about what feels fair to your clients. Many salons ask for deposits only from new clients or only for longer services, and keep regulars on a simple reminder.

For example (round, made-up numbers): if a three-hour colour service is priced at AUD 300, a deposit of AUD 50 at booking may be enough to discourage casual no-shows without putting new clients off.

Write your cancellation policy clearly

Under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), businesses need to be careful about how they describe their terms to consumers. In general terms, cancellation and deposit policies should be clear, easy to find and shown before the client pays, and terms in standard consumer contracts shouldn't be unfair. The ACL also includes consumer guarantees that can't be excluded by a policy.

Practical tips:

• Write the policy in plain English: how much notice is needed, what happens to the deposit, and how to reschedule.
• Show it on the booking page before the client confirms and pays.
• Include it in the confirmation e-mail.
• Apply it consistently.

This is general information, not legal advice. For guidance on your specific policy, look at the ACCC's information for businesses or speak to a legal adviser.

Pricing in AUD

Compare software on the total cost in AUD for your setup:

• Is the plan billed in AUD or in USD? USD pricing will move with the exchange rate.
• Are there per-staff fees? A salon with eight staff might pay very different amounts on two systems with the same headline price.
• Is online booking, the website, or SMS charged separately?
• Do you pay a booking fee or marketplace commission for new clients? Some platforms charge per new client found through their marketplace.
• Is there a free trial and a monthly plan with no lock-in?

GST basics

Many salons in Australia are registered for GST, which is generally 10% on taxable supplies. Businesses usually need to register once their GST turnover reaches the registration threshold (AUD 75,000 at the time of writing). Your booking and POS system should:

• Let you set prices including GST, as Australian consumers expect to see GST-inclusive prices.
• Show GST on receipts and invoices where required.
• Produce sales reports that make your BAS easier for you or your bookkeeper.

Please check your own GST obligations with your accountant or the ATO. This article is general information only.

Card payments via Stripe

Australian salons are heavily card-based, including tap-and-go with phones and watches. There are two separate parts to think about:

• In-salon payments. Many salons already have a terminal from their bank or provider. Check whether the booking software can work alongside it, recording the payment at the POS, or whether it forces you onto its own terminal and rates.
• Online payments for deposits, gift cards, products or memberships. Many systems use Stripe. A key question is whose Stripe account it is. If payments go into your own Stripe account, the money is yours directly and you can see Stripe's fees clearly. If the vendor collects the money and pays you later, ask about timing and fees.

Also ask whether the system supports split payments (for example part gift card, part card) and refunds with a clear audit trail.

Beyond the calendar

Booking is the start, but most salons also need:

• Client records: history, notes, formulas, before/after photos and consent forms.
• Packages, memberships and loyalty: prepaid treatment packs, monthly memberships and points help with repeat visits. See our membership guide.
• Staff commission and rosters, especially if you pay commission on services or retail. See payroll and commission.
• Stock for retail and back-bar products.
• Reports you can actually read at the end of the week.

The checklist

1. Online booking on your own website and link, with real per-staff and per-room availability.
2. Mobile-friendly booking flow you've tested yourself.
3. Optional deposits, with rules you control.
4. Instant confirmations and automatic reminders.
5. Self-service reschedule and cancel within your rules.
6. Clear cancellation policy shown before payment.
7. Total cost in AUD, including per-staff fees and marketplace commissions.
8. GST-inclusive pricing and reports that help with BAS.
9. Card payments: works with your terminal; online payments into your own account.
10. Split payments and refunds with an audit trail.
11. Client records, packages, memberships and loyalty.
12. Commission, roles and permissions.
13. Free trial and monthly plan with no lock-in.

Where Senvia POS fits

Senvia POS is a cloud POS and booking system for salons, barbers, beauty and nail studios, spas and clinics, available in Australia and other markets. It includes a calendar per staff member and room, 24/7 online booking on your own website, optional deposits taken through your own Stripe account (Senvia never holds your clients' money), and client self-service rescheduling and cancelling within your rules. E-mail confirmations and reminders work out of the box, and there are free WhatsApp assistive reminders sent from your own WhatsApp number. Card-present payments from your existing terminal are recorded at the POS, and you can split payments across methods.

At the time of writing, plans start at USD 25.90/month with a 30-day free trial and no card required. On the Full plan, monthly client memberships are billed through your Stripe account with a fixed Senvia fee of AUD 1.00 per successful recurring charge (Stripe's fees are separate). See pricing and subscriptions for current details.