Certificate III in Hairdressing

You will develop specialist hairdressing skills and learn salon business practice at the hairdressing training studio.

This qualification equips you with practical skills in:

design and style foundation colour hair and scalp treatments long hair design protein treatments and straightening men’s grooming advanced cutting and colour techniques.

Our qualified, industry experts will also teach you how to consult clients and promote products and services.

On completion, you will have the confidence and skills to provide a variety of hairdressing services and begin your career as a qualified hairdresser.

This course is offered as an apprenticeship course over three years and is also available to non-apprentices over one year.

To be awarded SHB30416 Certificate III in Hairdressing qualification, a student must successfully complete a total of twenty-eight (28) units of competency, comprising of:

• twenty-one (21) core units;
• seven (7) elective units, of which:
• three (3) units must be selected from either Group A or Group B;
• four (4) units from Group C.

All electives chosen must contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.

Course structure and units

CORE UNITS

• BSBSUS201 - Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
• SHBHBAS001 - Provide shampoo and basin services
• SHBHCLS002 - Colour and lighten hair
• SHBHCLS003 - Provide full and partial head highlighting treatments
• SHBHCLS004 - Neutralise unwanted colours and tones
• SHBHCLS005 - Provide on scalp full head and retouch bleach treatments
• SHBHCUT001 - Design haircut structures
• SHBHCUT002 - Create one length or solid haircut structures
• SHBHCUT003 - Create graduated haircut structures
• SHBHCUT004 - Create layered haircut structures
• SHBHCUT005 - Cut hair using over-comb techniques
• SHBHDES003 - Create finished hair designs
• SHBHIND001 - Maintain and organise tools, equipment and work areas
• SHBHIND003 - Develop and expand a client base
• SHBHREF002 - Straighten and relax hair with chemical treatments
• SHBHTRI001 - Identify and treat hair and scalp conditions
• SHBXCCS001 - Conduct salon financial transactions
• SHBXCCS002 - Provide salon services to clients
• SHBXIND001 - Comply with organisational requirements within a personal services environment
• SHBXIND002 - Communicate as part of a salon team
• SHBXWHS001 - Apply safe hygiene, health and work practices

ELECTIVE UNITS

Group A

• SHBHCUT006 - Create combined haircut structures
• SHBHCUT007 - Create combined traditional and classic men’s haircut structures
• SHBHDES004 - Create classic long hair up-styles

Group B

No Group B electives available.

Group C

• SHBHBAS002 - Provide head, neck and shoulder massages for relaxation
• SHBHCUT011 - Design and maintain beards and moustaches
• SHBHREF003 - Straighten and relax hair with protein treatments
• SHBXCCS004 - Recommend products and services

Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers

Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.

Pathways from VU courses

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

This qualification reflects the role of hairdressers who use a range of well-developed sales, consultation and technical skills and knowledge to provide a broad range of hairdressing services to clients. They use discretion and judgement to provide client services and take responsibility for the outcomes of their own work.