HomeCoursesHairdressing and barberingCertificate III in Hairdressing
Certificate III in Hairdressing
This qualification trains you to work as a hairdresser in a salon, covering the services clients actually book: cutting, colouring, highlighting, styling, chemical straightening and relaxing, and treating hair and scalp conditions.
- Duration: 6 months to 2 years
- Study mode: Online, on campus and workplace based
- Course code: SHB30416
Where you can study this course
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Melbourne Polytechnic
- Campuses
- 13 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
A number of students find the organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some rate the facilities and campus highly.
- Campuses
- 99 campuses
- Duration
- 6 months to 2 years
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- $14,070
- Eligible students: subsidised from $2,130, concession $240
What students say
Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Victoria University
- Campuses
- 11 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Most students praise the student support, while others find it frustrating. Many rate the facilities and campus well, and some criticise the organisation and admin.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Charles Darwin University
- Campuses
- 12 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students often praise the facilities and campus, while some value student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on trainers and teaching, with communication also a concern.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
- Campuses
- 11 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
- Campuses
- 16 campuses
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- On campus
- Full fee
- $15,375
What students say
Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.
- Campuses
- 26 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students rate the trainers, teaching, facilities and campus highly, though some found the organisation, admin and communication frustrating; opinions are mixed on facilities and campus.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Box Hill Institute
- Campuses
- 4 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students speak highly of the trainers and teaching, with the campus and facilities also well regarded. Many found student support frustrating, along with organisation and communication.
Last reviewed 20 September 2026.
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
- Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:
- an interest in working with people and their appearance
- good communication and consultation skills
- a steady hand and attention to detail
- a friendly, patient manner with clients
What will you learn?
A large part of the learning happens on real clients, so you build the consultation and communication skills salons depend on alongside the technical work. You also learn how a salon runs day to day, including handling payments, keeping tools and work areas clean and safe, and building your own client base. There are no entry requirements, so you can start without prior experience.
- Cutting and styling hair
- Colouring and highlighting
- Chemical straightening treatments
- Hair and scalp conditions
- Client consultation skills
- Salon payments and teamwork
Units of competency (21 core, 7 elective)
The qualification is made up of 28 units. Everyone completes the 21 core units below, and the remaining 7 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.
Loading the details for BSBSUS201…
Loading the details for BSBSUS201…
Career pathways
Roles this qualification is a recognised route into, and what else you need.
A recognised route into Hairdresser
Hairdresser
Hairdressers cut, colour and style hair, working with each client to find a look that suits them and that they can keep up at home.
Explore this career →- Weekly pay
- $1,209
- Full-time share
- 51%
- Employment size
- 65,400 workers
- Average age
- 36 years
- Average full-time hours
- 40 hours
- Gender share
- 76% female
- Future growth
- +5.6%
- Job market
- In shortage (national)
Complete the hairdressing trade training and required workplace or apprenticeship arrangements; meet employer and jurisdiction requirements. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).