Finding the right Institute

The internet is awash with institutes offering Hairdressing courses in one form or another, it can be overwhelming to wade all the different schools and how do you really know who is reputable and who isn’t. To give you somewhere to start we have put together a list of some of the more popular organisations that offer Hairdressing courses in Australia.

New South Wales
Tafe Sydney
Tafe – South Western Sydney
Tafe – Hunter Institute
Tafe – Northern Institute
AH&B College

Canberra
Canberra Institute of Technology

Victoria
Melbourne Polytechnic
The Gordon
Victoria University

Queensland
Tafe Queensland
Brisbane School of Beauty
Imagine Education

Western Australia
Polytechnic West
WA Academy
Taylor Weir

South Australia
Tafe South Australia
Colour Cosmetica
Clip Joint Education

Tasmania
Tafe Tasmania

Online
International Career Institute
The Hair Academy

Another great source to investigate  options in your area is Hot Courses They have a great filter so you can drill down by city and you can even read reviews of most of the institutes.

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Cert II in Hairdressing

Certificate II in hairdressing is designed as a pre-vocational qualification to provide the basic skills to becoming a salon assistant for people who have the necessary skills to interact and engage in the workforce with colleagues and clients alike. This course will provide you with an overall representation of the role of a hairdresser as well as some real-world aptitudes in hairdressing.

Certificate II can act as a pathway to gaining an apprenticeship to Certificate III in Hairdressing, although cert II is beneficial to some it is not a necessity for everyone. Completing a pre-apprenticeship can show that you’re a dedicated individual and that you are serious about pursuing your career as a hairdresser.

During the course you will participate in workshops and work on mannequins and clients alike as well as participate in written work and group discussions. You will be trained in practical skills such as writing your resume, preparing for an interview and enhancing your communication skills as well as practical tasks such as:

  • Applying Shampoo and treatments.
  • Blow drying.
  • Styling.
  • Applying colour.
  • Braiding.
  • Massage.

The duration of this course varies for different institutes but generally can be completed in three months and you may also be able to apply have some of these units credited towards your certificate III Apprenticeship.

Certificate II is known as a Traineeship or Pre-Apprenticeship.

Click here to read about cert III in hairdressing via an Australian apprenticeship.
Click here to read about cert III in hairdressing via full time study.
Click here to read about cert IV in hairdressing.

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Cert III in Hairdressing Apprenticeship

Certificate III is the minimum qualification level required for practitioners of hairdressing in Australia and is best suited for people who prefer on the job learning, who are keen to develop a solid relationship with a salon and who can commit to long term training in return for government funding. This apprenticeship normally takes three to four years to complete.

You will have to pursue employment in a salon who are willing to hire and register you as their apprentice. Your new employer will nominate a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

No formal educational entry requirements are required for this course, however school students must have completed Year ten of high school. You could possibly improve your chances of gaining this apprenticeship if you have already completed certificate II, you may also qualify for an advanced standing for some of these completed units.

As you journey from apprentice to junior stylist you will be required to support the salon and the other staff with services that can include:

  • Applying Shampoo and treatments.
  • Simple haircuts.
  • Applying colour.
  • Foiling.
  • Perming hair.
  • Styling.
  • Blow drying.
  • Welcoming clients
  • Taking bookings.
  • Selling products.
  • Building a clientele.

You will also be a representative of your salon and their brand so you will be required to maintain a professional image and attitude both on and off the job.

Once you have completed this course and the on site training you will then be qualified as a hairdresser, depending on your career aspirations you could contemplate doing other post-trade courses that include a cert iv hairdressing in Hairdressing or a Diploma of Salon Management.

Click here to read about cert II in hairdressing.
Click here to read about cert III in hairdressing via full time study.
Click here to read about cert IV in hairdressing.

Hairdresser training requirements can vary from state to state so please select your state below to get specialist information on your state.
Australian Capital Territory – (02) 6205 8555
New South Wales – 13 28 11
Northern Territory – (08) 8901 1357
Queensland – 1800 210 210
South Australia – 1800 673 097
Tasmania – 1800 655 846
Victoria – (03) 9651 9999
Western Australian – 13 19 54

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What is a Hairdressing Apprenticeship?

A hairdressing apprenticeship is the means of starting your career by working as a junior hairdresser in an established hair salon while studying for a certificate III at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

The apprentice term is from three to four years after which you will be a fully qualified hairdresser.

Specific duties will vary from salon to salon, a list of general duties are listed below:

  • Taking bookings, dairy management and processing payments.
  • Offering advice on styling, colouring and maintenance.
  • Shampooing, conditioning and treatments.
  • Permanently straightening or waving hair.
  • Styling your clients with scissors, razors or clippers.
  • Braiding, adding hair extensions, weaves and dreadlocks.
  • Cut or style weaves or hair pieces.
  • Shaving or trimming beards and/or moustaches.
  • Keeping your utensils as well as your premises clean and sanitary.

Click here to read about cert II in hairdressing.
Click here to read about cert III in hairdressing via an Australian apprenticeship.
Click here to read about cert III in hairdressing via full time study.
Click here to read about cert IV in hairdressing.

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Mature Age Hairdressing Study

The majority of people will at some point in their life question themselves on their career choices and whether they are truly content in their current occupation. We spend a huge portion of our life at work so it’s important to feel like you are happy with the position you are in. These days it’s totally acceptable to explore different avenues when it comes to your career. At 25 or above you are considered to be an adult apprentice and this can come with some benefits, by this age it is reasonable to expect that you would have developed more of a skillset than a school age apprentice. Everyday occurrences such as holding down a job, being married and paying a mortgage just to name a few.

An apprenticeship can take up to three to four years to complete and consists of both on and off site training. Like any qualification you should consider if you are willing and able to commit to the length of time involved. Starting off an apprenticeship will more than likely involve receiving a reduced salary than what you are currently earning, at least in the short term. Earning minimum wage can be a big adjustment for people who already have financial commitments. Take a good look and your situation and carefully analyse if you and your family will be able to sustain yourselves on your lesser earning over the next few years.

The Australian government does provide an initiative for mature aged apprentices called Support for Adult Apprentices, if you are eligible you could be entitled to payments to help subsidise your wage. The current entitles as of 2015 are:
Full time – $150 per week for the first year capped at $7,800pa
Full time – $100 per week in the second year capped at $5,200pa
Part time – $75 per week for the first two years
Part time – $50 per week for the following two years

As an adult you will have certain life experiences and a level of maturity that prospective employees might see as beneficial to their business. You will be able to take on tasks and responsibilities that an younger apprentice would likely struggle with and probably wouldn’t be trusted to do. As a mature age apprentice you will more than likely be able to hit the ground running as opposed to a 16 year old who isn’t quite as confident and would struggle with getting accustomed to a workplace environment.

One of the downsides to starting your hairdressing apprenticeship as an adult could be that you may find yourselves reporting to or having to take direction from a younger co-worker. Depending on your attitude and personality this may be uncomfortable for you, but remember that they too might be uneasy with this situation. You may also be given menial duties that you feel are beneath you, unfortunately these tasks are part of the process with an apprenticeship but try to keep in mind that it’s part of your learning and development and it’s not forever, it’s a means to an end.

Click here to read about Certificate III apprenticeship in Hairdressing
Click here to read about Certificate III full time study in Hairdressing

For more information visit:
Mature Age Apprenticeships
Australian Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships Support

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