Hairdressing FAQs

How do I become a qualified hairdresser in one year?
You will need to study a Certificate III in Hairdressing at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) such as Tafe which is a public institution or through a private establishment.

My employer has just fired me. What should I do now?
If you have just been terminated by your employer you should get in touch with the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider on 13 78 73 to advise them and discuss other possible options that may be available to you.

What if my traineeship or apprenticeship is cancelled, could I continue it with an alternative employer?
Yes you can resume your traineeship or apprenticeship with an alternative employer. You and the new employer will be required to sign a new contract through a Registered Training Organisation however you will have to restart the probation period with the new employer.

How to become a hairdresser quickly?
You will need to study a Certificate III in Hairdressing at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) such as Tafe which is a public institution or through a private establishment.

Am I too old to become a hairdresser?
You are never too old to become a hairdresser, wither your 30, 40 or more if that’s you dream and passion then make it happen. Read our article on Mature Age Hairdressing Study to find out more.

 

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Real World Experience

Nothing beats the advice from a person who has walked in your shoes, so we asked some of our subscribers to give a little information about their thoughts and insights into what life really is like to be a hairdresser or stylist in Australia. Here is what they have to say:

“My day starts with setting up the salon, I put the music on and get the atmosphere going, I make myself a morning coffee and go through the appointment book to see what’s on for the day and plan my schedule, I’ll see on average thirty clients a week as opposed to our third year apprentice will see about ten per week.”
Kate – Perth WA

“I was pretty surprised to discover that being a hairdresser required a lot more skills than just cutting and colouring. I had to build up my clientele as well as work on my social skills as I’m chatting with clients all day long”
Felicity – Melbourne VIC

My best advice for anyone pursuing a career in hairdressing is to stick With It and never give up on your dreams. My apprenticeship was hard at first and I wanted to leave so many times but I kept with it and it finally paid off for me in the end. Now I have just started in a new salon that recently opened, I’m so happy and doing really well.
Olivia – Bankstown NSW

We would love to hear from you, so please become part of our community and share your experiences with our other readers. Your insights can be a valuable tool for others starting out in the industry and looking to hear from industry insiders, so don’t be shy, <a/href=”mailto:[email protected]”>drop us a line today!

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Your Hair is Your part of your Portfolio

Of course as a hairdresser your hair is part of your portfolio. We all use our hair to show off our personal style and personality and as a hairdresser you have the added bonus of using it to highlight your skills in your chosen career. Your hair is also a testament to who you are as a person, as we all know by now it takes only a minute or two for people to form a first impression of us, are you stubborn, welcoming, seductive or unique? Do you wear your hair up or styled into flawlessly flowing locks, each look gives a clue to your personality and who you are as a person and it’s a representation of your aptitude and abilities as a hairdresser. If for example you have a pink Mohawk yourself you are more than likely a strong confident individual who will attract the sort of clientele that align with that kind of look, but ensure your hair is in line with your some of your salons target audience while of course keeping it real and being true to yourself.

You are not going got find a stampede of clients breaking down your door if you can’t even manage to keep your own style in check. So try to ensure that have a rather up to date hairstyle yourself and that’s it’s styled neatly each day.
But it’s not just your hair that conveys your look but how you present yourself from start to finish. Ensure you convey the image that you want to portray by fusing the right amount of style with the right amount of comfort to see you through your working day. Wither your salons clientele leans towards a professional or a more family based demographic, your clothes should still present a stylish but professional image. Plan and execute your attire carefully insuring your outfits is appropriate for your environment.
Choose your shoes wisely by considering comfort over style, remember a hairdresser is on his or her feet for the majority of the day and by 5pm you won’t regret having invested in those extra comfy shoes.

Ideally you should keep your jewellery to a minimum, you don’t want to be draped in bangles and rings as the constant rattling sounds in as you style your clients hair may become annoying as well as they could easily be caught in their hair which far from ideal.
A somewhat touchy but important subject to mention is personal hygiene, when moving around all day especially in the summer months one can build up quite a sweat, so make sure you keep yourself fresh and clean throughout the course of your day by topping up deodorant when needed and washing your hands thoroughly, also ensure your clothes are fresh and clean each and every day to help combat any unwanted odours.
You are and your co-workers are a representation of your salon and people will critic you and evaluate your salon on how you present yourself.

“You’re never fully dressed without great hair”
Anon

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