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Becoming A Hairdresser
There’s more to becoming a hairdresser than meets the eye! The desire to make people silky smooth won’t cut it – you need to go through proper training to become a licensed professional. Good hairdressers are versatile enough wash, cut, style, and colour hair of all types while juggling other tasks around the workplace. And don’t forget: great customer service and communication skills are essential to keep customers coming back for more.
What Are The Qualifications?
To get started, you need to find a cosmetology institute to take the necessary courses. There are different levels to becoming a hairdresser, but the learning doesn’t end at graduation! But how long does it take to get certified? It can take anywhere between one to four years to gain enough education and experience as a pro. It all depends on whether you’re doing part-time or full-time studies and how many certificates you plan on having under your belt.
Certificate I
Welcome to the entry-level of hairdressing! Here, you’ll learn all the basics of salon services from cutting and styling to treating and colouring hair. You can take an online course to get or enrol in Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s) or at TAFEs to learn about the technical aspects of becoming a hairdresser. From booking appointments and making consultations to shampooing and blowouts, this is the first crucial step to living out your hairdressing dreams.
Certificate II
This involves the practical application of your skills to become a full-on salon assistant. You’ll learn about selling products, organising tools and teams, shaping hair, handling stocks, massaging scalps, and repairing chemically damaged locks. Most salons require at least a cert II before you apply as an apprentice.
Certificate III
Now we’re getting into the professional level of hairdressing, and you can get certified by getting an apprenticeship at a salon. If you want to speed up your learning, you can enrol full-time at a local RTO or TAFE near you. The cert III is essential if you’re aiming to be a salon manager in the future through hands-on training with workshops, study groups, and mentors.
Certificate IV
If you want to take your hairdressing skills to the next level, you can opt to go for an advanced certification! This will help you become an expert in running a salon business so you can eventually start your own business. You’ll be able to handle operations and leadership programs with junior stylists. Take note that you can only take this course once you’ve completed the previous certificates.
Career Opportunities
Once you’re a certified hairdresser, a whole new world of jobs and opportunities will open up for you! It’s important to build up your portfolio so you can work at salons, spas, resorts, and on-set for TV or films. If you play your cards right, you can start hairdressing for weddings, fashion shows, photoshoots and celebrities. You can also work towards a diploma of salon management when you’ve finished all levels of training.
Where To Study
Whether you’re a local or international student, there are lots of places to study hairdressing in Australia. We’ve compiled the best options to help you launch your career within a few years. If you’re ready to fast track your learning, here are some of the most reputable institutes and universities to check out:
- International Career Institute
- Charles Darwin University
- TAFE Queensland
- TAFE New South Wales
- TAFE South Australia
- TAFE Tasmania
- Brisbane School of Hairdressing
- Melbourne Polytechnic
- Academies Australasia
- Victoria University
- Canberra Institute of Technology
- Toni & Guy Melbourne School of Hairdressing
- HeadMasters Melbourne
- Academia
- Vibe College for Hairdressing and Barbering
- TMG College Australia
- Biba Academies Hair School
- Chisholm Institute
Most universities offer payment plans for students on a budget, or you can take cheaper online courses to develop your know-how from home. Once you pass the first two levels of certification, you can apply to a local salon and speak to the manager about taking an apprenticeship for on-the-job training.
How Much Can You Make?
The more certifications you have, the more money you can earn! Being a hairdresser can be a high-paying job, especially since talented hair artists will always be in-demand in the beauty industry. The possibilities are endless, and it’s up to you whether you want to work for a salon, go freelance, or put up your own salon. While wages vary depending on your employer and experience, here’s a rough estimate of how much you can make based on your skill and certification level:
- Certificate I - $AUD8/hour
- Certificate II - $AUD10/hour
- Certificate III - $AUD14/hour
- Certificate IV - $AUD18/hour
Hairdressing Like A Pro
If you have the style and flair for perfecting the art of hair, you’ll find a lot of resources to help you achieve your goals. It’s a fulfilling career path that takes years to master, but it's worth all the effort when you're able to give clients the hairstyles of their dreams. There are no shortcuts to success, but with enough dedication and practice, you’ll be hairdressing like a pro in no time!
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