Steps to become a hairdresser
Step 1: Check the entry requirements for a hairdressing apprenticeship
Most salons want you to have finished Year 10 or higher. You do not need prior hairdressing experience. Good people skills and a real love of the craft help. Check that you have no allergies to hair chemicals before you start.
Step 2: Enrol in a Certificate III in Hairdressing (SHB30416) via an apprenticeship
To enter the trade, complete the Certificate III in Hairdressing (SHB30416) through a three-year apprenticeship. Work in a salon five days a week. Do off-the-job training at a TAFE or RTO one day per week. You earn a wage while you study.
Step 3: Complete your units of competency and trade assessment
During your apprenticeship, complete set units in cutting, colour, chemical work, and client service. Your training body checks your skills as you work. At the end of three years, receive your Certificate III and become a trade-qualified hairdresser.
Step 4: Join a professional body and build your network
After qualifying, consider joining the Australian Hairdressing Council (AHC) or Hair and Beauty Australia (HABA). These bodies offer business help, industry news, and learning tools. Membership helps you stay connected and keeps your skills current.
Step 5: Build your portfolio and seek employment
Take photos of the styles you have mastered during your apprenticeship. A strong photo portfolio helps you attract new clients and get work in specialist salons. Work in salons for two to three years to build your skills before taking on senior roles.
Step 6: Consider advanced qualifications or a specialty area
When ready, study a Certificate IV in Hairdressing to take on senior roles. Or complete a Diploma of Salon Management for business ownership. You can also pick a specialty such as colour correction, barbering, or bridal hair (check current codes on training.gov.au).
A hairdresser’s day is creative, social, and busy. They start by prepping their station and tools, then move through a series of client appointments. Each visit involves a quick consultation to check what the client wants. Then they cut, colour, or style, sometimes doing all three in one visit. In between, they clean tools, update client notes, and chat to colleagues. It is a role that mixes craft, people skills, and time management in every shift.
Hairdressers get to use their creative and technical skills every single day. From fresh cuts to bold colour changes, the job is always varied. Here are the main tasks you will handle as a hairdresser.
- Consultation — finding out what each client wants and recommending styles or treatments.
- Hair cutting — trimming, shaping, and styling hair using scissors, clippers, and razors.
- Hair colouring — applying colour, highlights, or bleach to change or refresh a client’s look.
- Styling — creating finished looks with blow dryers, straighteners, and curling tools.
- Shampooing and conditioning — washing hair and applying treatments to keep it healthy.
- Product advice — helping clients pick the right products for their hair type and goals.
- Tool care — cleaning and sterilising combs, brushes, scissors, and other equipment.
- Client records — keeping notes on colour formulas, services, and any allergies.
- Trend tracking — staying up to date with new styles, techniques, and products.
- Team collaboration — working with other salon staff to keep the day running smoothly.
To do well as a hairdresser, you need a mix of hands-on skills and good people skills. On the technical side, you will learn cutting, colouring, and chemical work through your apprenticeship. On the people side, listening closely and giving clear advice makes all the difference.
Your Certificate III in Hairdressing (SHB30416) gives you the base. From there, the best hairdressers keep learning. They pick up new colour techniques, new products, and new trends. It is a career where love of the craft drives your growth as much as training does.
