Careers in Hairdressing
Hairdressing is a popular and dynamic career choice. A career in hairdressing has many different prospects and can also open the door to a busy social life. You need to be good with your hands and willing to learn new skills. A fair degree of creativity is required, as are good customer service skills.
Really successful hairdressers can take their pick from the many top jobs - preparing models for the catwalk, joining the team of a magazine for a fashion shoot or tending the locks of the rich and famous.
- Hairdresser
- Session Stylist
- Salon Manager
Hairdressers
Hairdressers may be employed in women’s, men’s or unisex salons. They spend most of the day on their feet and are usually required to work flexible hours to fit in with salon hours of business. They have a high level of public contact, so need to be well-presented with good communication skills.
Hairdressers may perform the following tasks:
- Consult with clients to discuss requirements
- Shampoo, condition and rinse hair
- Cut hair using clippers, scissors or razors
- Provide services such as bleaching, conditioning, permanent waving, straightening and tinting
- Dry and style hair using brushes, combs and other equipment
- Shave and trim beards and moustaches
- Advise clients on hair care
- Perform reception duties such as answering telephone calls and making appointments
- Sell retail products
- Compile client records
- Clean the salon, work areas and equipment.
Session Stylist
A hairdressing session stylist may perform the following tasks:
- Work with other professionals such as fashion designers, photographers, photographic stylists, models and session stylist teams
- Consult with a team on a creative brief or fashion story
- Interpret a creative brief to develop final hair designs
- Negotiate a contract
- Shampoo, condition and rinse hair
- Cut hair using clippers, scissors or razors
- Create hair designs combining colouring, straightening, curling or volumising effects, and a range of design finishes
- Use wigs, hairpieces and ornaments in hair designs
- Dry and style hair using brushes, combs and other equipment
- Provide services such as bleaching, conditioning, permanent waving, straightening and tinting
- Shave and trim beards and moustaches
- Attend hairdressing seminars in order to keep abreast of new products and techniques
- Maintain a portfolio showing their work.
Hairdressing Managers
Hairdressing salon managers are responsible for the operation of the salon in areas such as leading and managing staff, managing the business plan and finances, and maintaining customer relations. They also deal with suppliers and other business related contacts.
Many hairdressing salon managers are also senior hairdressers who cut and style hair, and perform a range of chemical treatments on hair such as colouring, straightening and perming.
They require a combination of skills drawing on their creativity and their business skills.
What are the career opportunities?
There are many opportunities within the industry, and good hairdressers are always in demand. The majority of hairdressers are employed in hairdressing salons. Most salons employ between four and six people, although some salons employ a much larger numbers of hairdressers. Most salons also employ apprentices.
There are many career paths available for qualified hairdressers. Hairdressers may be employed as stylists for TV, film, theatre, or advertising agencies. Many hairdressers set up their own business, enter into a partnership or teach hairdressing – usually after working in the industry for a number of years.
Download The Job I Love, our careers guide to the service industries
What training do you need?
Hairdressing is a trade qualification, which means that there are formal requirements to become a qualified hairdresser. The Certificate III in Hairdressing is the standard requirement to work as a hairdresser.
Certificate II in Hairdressing is designed as a pre-vocational qualification, for people entering the industry as salon assistants. It covers dealing with clients, washing hair, selling products and maintaining the workplace.
Certificate III in Hairdressing is the standard trade qualification required to become a qualified hairdresser. It includes cutting, styling, colouring hair, chemical treatments and consulting with clients.
Certificate IV in Hairdressing is designed for qualified hairdressers who want to develop their skills further in a range of more specialised hairdressing and beauty services, and to develop skills in supervision.
Diploma of Hairdressing Salon Management is designed for those who are interested in managing and/or owning their own salon.
The training may be undertaken in two main ways, depending upon the qualification:
Australian Apprenticeship - combines paid employment in the industry with structured training, leading to a recognised qualification. In some states and territories, it is a requirement that the Certificate III in Hairdressing is completed as an apprenticeship.
Some training package qualifications may be available as part of a full-time or part-time course, available through registered training organisations.
After the completion of an apprenticeship, hairdressers in some states are also required to become formally registered.
More information
The Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Association (HBIA) and the Professional Hairdressers Association (PHA) may be a useful source of information for those wishing to work within the Beauty industry. The HBIA website provides information on the industry, competitions and events, information regarding membership with HBIA, education and training, and contact details. More information can be found at: www.hbia.com.au
