Should You Go Private? A Realistic Assessment for Employed Healthcare Practitioners

You’re seeing clients back-to-back. Your diary is full. But at the end of the month, your pay slip looks the same as it did three years ago. The thought has crossed your mind: What if I went private?

It’s a question almost every employed allied health practitioner asks themselves at some point. The appeal is obvious — more control over your schedule, higher earning potential, and the freedom to work the way you want. But the reality is more complicated. This article lays out what you actually need to consider before making the leap.

The Problem: The Ceiling on Employed Income

As an employed practitioner, your income is capped. Even in high-demand fields like physiotherapy, psychology, and occupational therapy, salary bands in private practices and community health centres have a ceiling. According to the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s 2024 salary survey, the median salary for an experienced employed physiotherapist sits around AUD $85,000–$95,000. For psychologists, the Australian Psychological Society’s 2023 remuneration survey shows the median employed salary at AUD $105,000 for those with 5+ years of experience.

Meanwhile, the overheads of running your own practice — rent, insurance, software, marketing — can be daunting. Many practitioners stay employed because they’re afraid of the financial risk. But there’s a middle ground that most people overlook.

The Alternative: Going Private Without the Full Lease

You don’t have to sign a five-year lease and buy your own treatment table to work for yourself. The rise of flexible consulting room rental has made it possible to go private on your own terms.

Here’s how it works in practice:

Pay by the hour, half-day, or day. You rent a clinical room only when you need it. No empty-room costs.

Keep your current job while you test the waters. Start with one afternoon a week of private clients. See if you can fill it.

No admin overhead. Many room rentals include reception, Wi-Fi, waiting areas, and even clinical waste disposal. You just turn up and treat.

For example, a physiotherapist in Brisbane’s inner suburbs can rent a fully equipped consulting room for AUD $30–$50 per hour through HealthcareRooms. If they see two clients per hour at AUD $90 per session, that’s AUD $180 in revenue minus AUD $30 for the room. That’s AUD $150 per hour before tax — compared to the roughly AUD $45–$55 per hour they earn as an employee.

The numbers stack up quickly, but only if you can fill the time.

The Evidence: Real Scenarios, Real Numbers

Let’s look at three realistic scenarios for an allied health practitioner testing private work.

Scenario 1: The cautious starter

One half-day (4 hours) per week in a rented room at AUD $35/hour = AUD $140 in rent

Sees 6 clients at AUD $90/session = AUD $540 revenue

Net income from that half-day: AUD $400

Over a month: AUD $1,600 extra, with zero commitment

Scenario 2: The part-time hybrid

Works 3 days employed, 2 days private

Rents a room in Melbourne’s inner north for AUD $250/day (full day)

Sees 8 clients per day at AUD $100/session = AUD $800 revenue per day

Weekly private income: AUD $1,600 minus AUD $500 rent = AUD $1,100

Over a month: AUD $4,400 extra, plus the security of your employed wage

Scenario 3: The full transition

Goes fully private, renting a room 5 days per week in Sydney’s Inner West at AUD $300/day

Sees 7 clients per day at AUD $110/session = AUD $770 revenue per day

Weekly revenue: AUD $3,850 minus AUD $1,500 rent = AUD $2,350

Over a month: AUD $9,400 — before insurance, accounting, and super

The key point: you don’t need to commit to Scenario 3 to benefit. Most practitioners who transition successfully start with Scenario 1 and scale up.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Going private isn’t risk-free. Here’s what catches people out:

Underpricing your services. Many new private practitioners charge too little because they’re used to the gap-only model. Research what other private practitioners in your suburb charge and price accordingly.

Ignoring non-clinical costs. You’ll need professional indemnity insurance (AUD $300–$800/year depending on your field), an ABN, and possibly a separate bank account. Factor these in from day one.

Trying to fill 40 hours immediately. Even established private practitioners rarely have full books. Start small and build.

Not having a cancellation policy. Without one, no-shows eat your income. Standard policy: 24 hours’ notice or full fee charged.

Key Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting

Can I afford to earn less for the first 3–6 months? Most private practitioners take time to build a client base.

Do I have a referral network? GPs, other allied health professionals, and existing clients are your best source of new clients.

What’s my niche? Generalist practitioners struggle to compete. Specialise in something — pelvic health, concussion management, adolescent psychology — and market that.

Have I checked my employment contract? Some contracts include non-compete clauses that restrict working privately in the same area. Check before you start.

The Bottom Line

Going private isn’t an all-or-nothing decision anymore. With flexible room rental, you can test private work alongside your employed role, build a client base, and decide if full-time private practice is right for you — all without signing a lease or quitting your job.

If you’re an allied health practitioner in Australia wondering whether private practice could work for you, the smartest first step is to find a room for a few hours a week and see what happens.

Ready to test private practice without the risk? Search for flexible consulting rooms in your city and start with a single half-day. Or browse available rooms in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Perth to find a space that fits your schedule. If you’re a practice manager with spare capacity, list your room on HealthcareRooms and start earning from your empty space today.