Working in hairdressing can be really rewarding. Not only do you get to explore your creative side by creating on-trend styles for your clients, you also get to enjoy the buzz of working in a busy salon environment. Whether you’re planning a career as a hairdresser, barber or hair stylist, this career offers numerous career opportunities. A Certificate III in Hairdressing can help you get started in this industry or take your career to the next level. You’ll develop the skills you need to work with a range of clients in a contemporary salon setting.

The Certificate III in Hairdressing covers a range of topics to prepare you for a career in this busy industry. You’ll develop practical skills such as washing, cutting, styling and treating hair. This course will allow you to work on both men’s and women’s hair and will introduce you to a range of modern hair care techniques. This course also looks at hair colours, lightening, braiding, bleaching and other chemical treatments. The Certificate III in Hairdressing looks at common salon procedures and addresses subjects such as consultations and sales.

A Certificate III in Hairdressing is an ideal course of study for the following careers:

Hairdresser

A Hairdresser performs a range of hairdressing services at a hair salon. You might speak with clients to discuss their haircare needs and provide advice on cutting and styling options. Hairdressers carry out hair treatments and colouring services and may specialise in services such as hair extensions. As well as washing and cutting hair, you might style clients’ hair and make client bookings.

Barber

A Barber cuts and styles men’s and boys’ hair in a barber shop or as part of a hairdressing salon. You’ll offer a range of hair services including washing hair and shaving beards and moustaches. You may also style hair using clients’ preferred techniques. Barbers process payments, make appointments for clients and order supplies when needed.

Stylist

Stylists offer a range of styling services for hairdressing clients. You might style hair after clients have had a cut or treatment or provide specialist styling options for special occasions such as weddings or school formals. You might meet with clients to discuss their styling needs and provide advice on styling techniques and products.

Higher education pathways

A Certificate III in Hairdressing is an ideal way to get started in the hairdressing industry. This course will provide you with the skills to work in hairdressing salons, but you could also decide to specialise your skills with a Certificate III in Barbering or a Certificate III in Beauty Services. If you want to further your career in hairdressing, you might choose to advance your studies with a Diploma of Salon Management.

If you choose to take your hair and beauty studies further, you could enrol in a degree such as a Bachelor of Health Science in Aesthetics or an Advanced Diploma of Cosmetic Dermal Science. This will expand your career opportunities and increase your knowledge in the industry. You may be able to use a Certificate III in Hairdressing as a pathway to these courses.

Getting started

If you’re considering enrolling in a Certificate III in Hairdressing, make sure you spend some time finding the right course provider for your needs. Providers usually vary in the way they deliver their courses, so you’ll need to request information from a range of course providers before you start the enrolment process. Find out about the duration of the course, costs, any prerequisites and the content the course will cover. Once you have all the details you can compare information and find the right course for you.

Written by Jodie Magrath
Jodie Magrath
Jodie is a freelance writer with a background in communication and journalism. She’s spent almost 20 years working in roles such as Special Projects Writer and Publications Officer.