Soap making suppliers in Australia
This list is by no means comprehensive but contains links to the suppliers I have used over the years, others that have been recommended to me and others that came up in my research (I do not have experience with all of the suppliers listed - please make your own decisions about who you purchase from).
Many basic oils for soap making can be purchased from supermarkets, which is a great place for beginners to start. Specialty oils, waxes, butters, essential oils, botanical ingredients and colourants are easier sourced online from specialty suppliers.
This list is geared towards small-scale hobby soap makers, like me! If you are considering embarking on a soap making business venture, you may want to consider further research via online soap making groups and forums relevant to your country. There are some excellent, very comprehensive resources for Australian soap makers on the Australian Soapmakers group on Facebook. I highly recommend conducting in-depth research there before you consider investing time or money into making and selling soap commercially.
There is no shortcut for good research in soap making. Spend time perusing the sites linked below, compare prices and qualities as you go. Support local suppliers in your own state if you can.
Big thanks to my pal George Salem from Dawn Organics in Sydney for his help in compiling this list.
Suppliers with an asterisk (*) beside their name are those that I have used myself and was happy with my purchase. Please get in touch here if you have a suggestion for the list or a correction is needed.
I am not affiliated with any of the companies listed, just sharing as a resource for the community.
Queensland
Baraka Shea Butter Australia - Redland Bay, Qld
Certified fair-trade shea butter, cocoa butter, palm kernel oil, coconut oil and Baraka black soap. Ships throughout Australia wide and New Zealand. Contact Katherine to arrange order pickup from Redland Bay.
* Bayside Soap - Wynnum, Qld
Specialists in quality melt and pour soap bases, bath bomb supplies, fragrance oils, essential oils, colours and additives and excellent silicone moulds. Order online for shipping Australia wide or pick up from their shop in Wynnum, by appointment.
*Escentials of Australia - Noosaville, Qld
I have been purchasing essential oils and other base ingredients from this company for years. Prices and quality are good in my experience. You can pick up orders from their premises, see info on their website FAQ page.
* Green Living Australia - Underwood, Qld
I first learnt about soap making through this wonderful local Brisbane company! They have a nice range of products for hobby soap makers, and a whole lot more! (Fermenting, cheese making, spinning and weaving, natural cosmetics and makeup, books etc.). Online orders are able to be collected from their Underwood location or shipping available Australia wide.
New South Wales / ACT
* Austral Herbs - Uralla, NSW
Amazing range of certified organic dried and powdered herbs, botanicals, fruits and teas. Excellent quality ingredients in large or small quantities. Ships Australia wide and to New Zealand.
Australian Wholesale Oils - Rydalmere, NSW
Nice range of carrier/base oils (including organic), essential oils and raw ingredients for soap making. Orders can be picked up from Rydalmere in Sydney.
Heirloom Body Care - Penrith, NSW
Stocks a wide range of soap and candle making supplies. Orders can be collected from Penrith location. Check website for ordering information and delivery/pickup options.
New Directions - Marrickville, NSW
A large range of products for soap and cosmetic making, including organic oils, containers and packaging. Product testing also available. Can purchase directly from their showroom or order online for shipping or local pick up.
Victoria
Hello Pure - Notting Hill, VIC (and Welshpool, WA)
Amazing looking range of organic coconut products! Online ordering with shipping or local pickup available.
* N-essentials - Keysborough, VIC
Good range of essential oils, carrier/base oils and other raw ingredients. Online ordering with shipping or local pickup available.
* Sydney Essential Oil Company - Hallam, VIC
Don’t let the name fool you, they are in Melbourne. I have purchased essential oils from SEOC many times and have always been happy with their products. Online ordering with shipping or local pickup available.
South Australia
Adelaide Candle and Body - Modbury North, SA
Shipping or local pickup available.
Deluxe Shea Butter - Adelaide, South Australia
Certified fair-trade organic shea and cocoa butters, African black soap. Various stockists across Australia and New Zealand, online orders ship worldwide. Contact to see if local pickup is available.
Southern Skies Soap Supplies - Hope Valley, SA
$10 postage within Australia, pick up from Hope Valley location after business hours.
Western Australia
* Aussie Soap Supplies - Kardinya, Western Australia
Highly regarded WA wholesaler selling all things soap making! Great range of soap making oils, fragrances, moulds, colours, packaging and base ingredients for a range of soap/shampoo products. Australia wide shipping and local pickup available.
Hello Pure - Welshpool, WA (also in Notting Hill, VIC)
Amazing looking range of organic coconut products! Online ordering with shipping or local pickup available.
Range Products - Welshpool, WA
A nice range of essential oils, carrier/base oils, and various other soap making ingredients. Online ordering with shipping or local pickup available.
Tasmania
Essential Oils and Soap - Tamar Valley, TAS
Online business only, ships Australia wide.
Northern Territory
I do not have any details of specific soap making suppliers in the Northern Territory, however most of the suppliers listed in other states ship nationally.
Many basic soap making ingredients (eg. olive oil, coconut oil and caustic soda) can be purchased from the supermarket, health food shops or hardware. The most challenging ingredients to purchase are fragrances, essential oils and some colourants and botanical ingredients. These would be best purchased online from interstate if they are unable to be sourced locally.
I found these two NT outlets in my search for grain suppliers in Australia. They may also be good sources of natural soap making ingredients (eg. base oils, butters, waxes, natural clays, herbal teas and botanicals etc.) It’s worth checking them out!
Greenies Real Food - Rapid Creek, Darwin NT
Greenies appear to sell a great range of organic whole food ingredients and household supplies to the Darwin community and surrounds. I would definitely pay them a visit and see what’s on offer.
Afghan Traders - Alice Springs, NT
This shop supplies a wide range of health foods and bulk pantry items in Alice Springs. Definitely check them out too if you’re in central Australia.