HomeCoursesHairdressing and barberingCertificate II
Certificate II · national qualification
Certificate II in Salon Assistant
This is a starting point for someone who wants to work in a hairdressing salon without yet training as a hairdresser.
- How long it takes
- 2 to 6 months
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $880
- Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $5,260
- How you can study
- Online, on campus or on the job
- Taught by
- 23 providers
- Every state and territory
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate II in Salon Assistant asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in helping people look and feel their best
- a friendly and welcoming manner with clients
- good communication skills for working in a team
- a careful approach to keeping tools and work areas clean
Before you start
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Where this course can take you
No job needs this course on its own, but it can help with the work below.
Jobs this course can help with
None of these jobs needs a set qualification.
Salon Assistant
Salon assistants keep a salon clean, stocked and running to time, and they are often the first person a client meets at the door.
Median pay$49,900 (estimate)
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $880
at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$3,960 to $5,260
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $880 | $160 | $5,260 | 2 to 6 months |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $1,650 | $330 | $5,115 | |
| The Gordon | VIC | $1,838 | $366 | $4,389 | |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $1,730 | $1,165 | $3,960 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $880
- Concession
- $160
- Full fee
- $5,260
- How long
- 2 to 6 months
GOTAFEVIC
- Subsidised
- $1,650
- Concession
- $330
- Full fee
- $5,115
The GordonVIC
- Subsidised
- $1,838
- Concession
- $366
- Full fee
- $4,389
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Subsidised
- $1,730
- Concession
- $1,165
- Full fee
- $3,960
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.
Where you can study this course
There are 23 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
- Website for Melbourne Polytechnic (opens in a new tab)
Melbourne Polytechnic
13 campuses, VIC
3.7from 485 Google reviews
What students like
- Some teachers are supportive and go out of their way
- Student services offer understanding and compassion
What to weigh up
- Messages to staff can go unanswered
- Enrolment mistakes can take time to fix
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
25 campuses, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
- How long
- 2 to 6 months
- Fee
- From $880 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
- Website for Charles Darwin University (opens in a new tab)
Charles Darwin University
12 campuses, NSW, NT
4.2from 619 Google reviews
What students like
- Admin and support staff are helpful
What to weigh up
- Units vary depending on the lecturer
- Feedback on assessments can vary
- Website for TAFE Gippsland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
11 campuses, VIC
3.9from 113 Google reviews
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
14 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
- Fee
- From $1,730 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
- Website for TAFE SA (opens in a new tab)
TAFE SA
26 campuses, SA
4.4from 1,339 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are nice and helpful
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course information can be unclear
- Course page for The Gordon (opens in a new tab)
The Gordon
Geelong City Campus, VIC
4.0from 168 Google reviews
- Fee
- From $1,838 subsidised
What students like
- Teaching staff are supportive and highly professional
- Staff are friendly and helpful
What to weigh up
- Courses can feel loosely organised
- Website for Holmesglen Institute (opens in a new tab)
Holmesglen Institute
14 campuses, SA, VIC
3.6from 650 Google reviews
What students like
- Staff are friendly and supportive
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Placement information can be unclear
- Some teachers are less engaged
What you’ll learn
12 units: 8 that everyone takes and 4 you choose.
- Shampooing and basin services
- Drying hair into shape
- Greeting and preparing clients
- Salon payments and takings
- Cleaning and storing tools
- Workplace health and safety
See all 8 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
Loading the details for BSBWHS201…
Loading the details for BSBWHS201…
Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
It is for someone who wants to work in a hairdressing salon without yet training as a hairdresser. You learn routine tasks like shampooing, drying hair, greeting clients, handling payments and keeping the salon clean, all under direct supervision. It prepares you for further training, not for work as a hairdresser, and can lead to roles such as Salon Assistant.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
There are no entry requirements for this qualification. However, individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.