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What it’s like to work in personal services

Find out what to expect day-to-day, what people love about the work and how much you can earn.

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In personal services, many roles involve working with your hands or on your feet. You may need to maintain and operate specialised machines. If you are a people person and like to provide warm customer service to repeat clients, this could be a good industry for you.

What people love about working in personal services

Here are some of the benefits of working in personal services:

Where you can work

The personal services industry has a wide range of employers. For example, you could manage a day spa, work in a hair or nail salon, or in a local gym.

The kinds of personal services settings you could work in include:

Average salary

The average weekly earnings for people who work in the other services industry in Australia is $1,500.

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia(opens in a new window)

Please note:

Job demand in Victoria

Below are employment projections for the other services industry in Victoria. Figures show the number of workers in 2024 and the new workers expected to enter the workforce by 2027 and 2034.

‘New workers expected’ accounts for workers adding new jobs to the economy and replacing retirees over the next 3 and 10 years. These projections are estimates only. There will be additional jobs available as people move between jobs and industries.

Note that specific data is not available for personal services.

Region Workers 2024 New workers expected by 2027 New workers expected by 2034
Victoria 130,957 7,396 35,410
Melbourne – inner metropolitan 17,998 1,455 5,725
Melbourne – inner south-east metropolitan 8,721 358 1,889
Melbourne – southern metropolitan 21,444 1,018 5,293
Melbourne – northern metropolitan 16,045 1,041 5,168
Melbourne – eastern metropolitan 18,977 738 4,115
Melbourne – western metropolitan 15,722 1,342 5,967
Ballarat and surrounds (Central Highlands) 3,623 195 929
Bendigo, Echuca and surrounds (Loddon Campaspe) 4,978 159 1,210
Geelong, Colac and surrounds (Barwon) 6,612 416 1,922
Gippsland 6,137 333 1,362
Horsham and surrounds (Wimmera Southern Mallee) 1,008 30 137
Mildura, Swan Hill and surrounds (Mallee) 2,144 64 288
Shepparton, Seymour and surrounds (Goulburn) 2,810 63 557
Wangaratta, Wodonga and surrounds (Ovens Murray) 2,617 122 517
Warrnambool, Hamilton and surrounds (Great South Coast) 2,122 62 333

Source: Victorian Skills Authority Employment Projections Dashboard

Career success story

Paige Cotchin case study

Styled for self-image: Paige’s hairdressing impact

“Our apprenticeships are naturally very practical. You’re in the salon getting first-hand experience which opens up windows of opportunity for learning, growth and making connections in the industry.”

Resources to plan your next steps

Visit our personal services industry profile to find out about:

Explore growing industries in your region

Training and careers in your region

Explore training, skills and job opportunities in your area of Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of job you could do, and what training you’ll need.

Training and careers in growing industries

Learn about high demand industries in Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of jobs you could do, and what training you’ll need.

Updated 15 January 2025

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