Certificate III in Hairdressing

Coded SHB30416, the Certificate III in Hairdressing is the standard Australian trade qualification for hairdressers. It’s structured around real client work in supervised on-campus or industry salons, covering cutting, colouring, perming, styling and salon operations.

What’s covered

• Hair design and cutting techniques
• Colouring, highlighting, and lightening
• Styling, perming, and rebonding
• Consultation and customer service
• Salon operations and product knowledge
• Workplace health, safety, and infection control

Visa and migration pathway

Hairdresser is on Australia’s skilled occupation lists with regular intake. The qualification is recognised across all states and territories.

Career outcomes

Qualified hairdressers work in salons ranging from suburban neighbourhood shops to high-end city salons, with career progression typically running from junior stylist through to senior stylist, then colour specialist or salon manager as skills and a client base build up. A good number of experienced hairdressers eventually rent a chair or open their own salon once they’ve established a loyal clientele, which the trade lends itself to more readily than many other occupations. Hairdresser has a consistent history on Australia’s skilled occupation lists, and because the qualification is recognised nationally rather than only in certain regions, it offers somewhat broader geographic flexibility for graduates considering migration than some other beauty and personal service trades.

How to choose a provider

Since this trade is built on real client-facing practice, check whether the provider runs a genuine working salon rather than only simulated practice sessions. TAFE NSW’s on-campus salons give students supervised experience with actual paying clients, which builds real confidence handling difficult colour corrections or client consultations before you’re on your own. Holmesglen’s industry-aligned model similarly places students in real salon settings during training. Ask each provider about the mix of cutting, colouring and styling covered, since salons vary in how much emphasis they place on colour work versus classic cutting, and this can shape which specialisation suits you later. Confirm current course fees directly with the provider.

Entry requirements

• Year 10 or equivalent
• IELTS 5.5 (or institute equivalent)