Commissioners Information Bulletin 391
Issued: 12 December 2008

Hairdressing - Vocational Training Order variation

The Commissioner for Vocational Training, in consultation with the NSW Wholesale, Retail and Personal Services Industry Training Advisory Body, has varied the existing Vocational Training Order (VTO) for the trade vocation of Hairdressing.

The VTO reduces the nominal term of the apprenticeship from four (4) years to three (3) years as prescribed in the Hair and Beauty (State) Award.

The VTOs specify a number of matters including the term of training, probationary period, competency outcome and course of study to be undertaken.

A copy of the VTO supporting the trade vocation is at Attachment A.

WRH06 Hairdressing Training Package

WRH06 sets out the requirements for attainment of qualifications in the hairdressing industry. There are five qualifications ranging from Certificate II to Diploma. Each qualification is achieved by demonstrating competency against specified units of competency.

Qualifications

The packaging and combination of the minimum number of units required for the apprenticeship pathway to which this VTO applies are outlined at Attachment B.

Job description

A hairdresser is a qualified person doing men’s or women’s hairdressing. Hairdressers cut, style, colour, straighten and permanently wave hair with chemical reformation solutions. Hairdressers also provide clients with hair and scalp treatments. Additional tasks performed by hairdressers include receiving and directing clients, preparing clients for salon services and co-ordination of salon tasks. Hairdressers maintain a safe, clean and efficient work environment and communication within the workplace.

Industrial arrangements

Applications under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 to establish any apprenticeship or traineeship will not be approved unless the Commissioner for Vocational Training is satisfied that appropriate industrial arrangements are in place.

Industrial arrangements under which Hairdressing apprentices can be employed are listed at Attachment C.

School Based Apprenticeships

NSW WRAPS has recommended WRH30106 Certificate III in Hairdressing as suitable for delivery as school based part time apprenticeship.

The Hair and Beauty (State) Award specifies “a school based apprentice as an employee who is undertaking an apprenticeship, declared or recognised by the State Training Authority (STA), under a training contract while also enrolled in the Higher School Certificate (HSC). The school base apprenticeship may commence upon the completion of Year 10 School Certificate exams.”

For all school based part-time apprenticeships currently being delivered in New South Wales, refer to School Based Apprenticeships.

For information about the delivery of training for school based part-time apprenticeships refer to Training Arrangements.

Licensing and regulatory arrangements

There are no licensing requirements applicable to this apprenticeship. However, under Part 2 of the Hairdressers Act 2003 only qualified people are permitted to work as hairdressers. Section 3 of the Act states that an individual must not provide hairdressing services "for fee, gain or reward unless the individual is qualified to act as a hairdresser".

“Hairdressers, Barbers and Beauty Salons: NSW Employment Laws” is a guide to employment obligations and rights and covers the major NSW laws effecting the hairdressing industry in this State. For more information refer to The Guide.

New South Wales has a regulation which exempts people under the age of 21 years undertaking an apprenticeship if they have successfully completed the nationally recognised Certificate III in Hairdressing through a non-apprenticeship pathway. For full details of this regulation, see the NSW Government Gazette Number 183, page 8592 at Government Gazette.

Current apprenticeships

For apprentices who started their apprenticeship before this Vocational Training Order came into effect, the nominal term of the apprenticeship remains four (4) years.

Learning resources and assessment materials

A WRH06 Hairdressing Delivery and Assessment Guide is available from the Department of Education, Victoria. A Hairdressing Implementation Guide and further resource materials can be obtained from Service Skills Australia, the industry skills council for hairdressing. 

Availability of Registered Training Organisations

A list of the registered training organisations in New South Wales that can deliver training for qualifications from WRH06 Hairdressing Training Package may be found at National Training Information Service.

Note - This Commissioner’s Information Bulletin (CIB) includes the relevant arrangements that apply to Hairdressing apprenticeships. It supersedes CIBs 159 and 298.

For any enquiries regarding this CIB, please contact the Vocational Training Tribunal Unit on (02) 9266 8579.

PHILLIP MOORE
Commissioner for Vocational Training