HomeCoursesHairdressing and barberingCertificate III
Certificate III · national qualification
Certificate III in Barbering
This is the trade qualification for barbering, and it covers the full range of cutting and grooming work a barber does in a shop.
- How long it takes
- About 0.5 to 3 years
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $2,130
- Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $14,230
- How you can study
- On campus or on the job
- Main job
- Barber
- $62,900 median pay, In demand
- Taught by
- 20 providers
- Every state and territory
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate III in Barbering asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in men's hair and grooming
- steady hands and good hand-eye coordination
- an eye for shape and detail
- enjoyment of talking with clients
Before you start
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Where this course can take you
Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.
Jobs you can do with it
Barber
Barbers cut hair and shape beards, working mostly with clippers, scissors and a straight razor.
What else you need
Usually completed as an apprenticeship with a barbering employer. Requirements can vary by state; the award is a trade qualification rather than a licence. Check the provider. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
Median pay$62,900
In demand
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $2,130
at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$11,760 to $14,230
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $2,130 | $240 | $11,810 | About 0.5 to 3 years |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $4,040 | $808 | $11,760 | |
| The Gordon | VIC | $3,919 | $787 | $14,230 | |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $13,130 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $2,130
- Concession
- $240
- Full fee
- $11,810
- How long
- About 0.5 to 3 years
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $4,040
- Concession
- $808
- Full fee
- $11,760
The GordonVIC
- Subsidised
- $3,919
- Concession
- $787
- Full fee
- $14,230
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Full fee
- $13,130
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 20 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
93 campuses, NSW, SA
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- On the job
- How long
- About 0.5 to 3 years
- Fee
- From $2,130 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 Victoria University (opens in a new tab)
Victoria University
11 campuses, NSW, QLD, VIC
3.9from 1,562 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are friendly, supportive and approachable
- Studying one subject at a time through the block model
- Staff are welcoming and ready to help
What to weigh up
- Admin can be hard to reach after you finish
- 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
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
10 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
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
- Website for Box Hill Institute (opens in a new tab)
Box Hill Institute
4 campuses, VIC
3.0from 372 Google reviews
What students like
- Teachers are friendly and supportive
- Course content is practical and relevant
What to weigh up
- Admin replies can be slow
- Course organisation can be inconsistent
- Course page for The Gordon (opens in a new tab)
The Gordon
Geelong City Campus, VIC
4.0from 168 Google reviews
- Fee
- From $3,919 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
What you’ll learn
26 units: 21 that everyone takes and 5 you choose.
- Clipper cutting and fades
- Scissor cutting and layering
- Beard and moustache shaping
- Wet shaves and head shaves
- Client consultation and care
- Building a client base
See all 21 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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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 prepares you for barbering work in a shop or salon, covering clipper work, scissor cutting, fading, beard shaping, wet shaves and client consultations. As a barber you use discretion and judgement to provide services and take responsibility for your own work. It leads to roles as a barber or hairdresser.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
There are no entry requirements, so you can start without prior hairdressing experience. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.