Working as a hairdresser - business obligations in NSW
Learn about the qualifications you need if you are a hairdresser and what obligations you have to customers.
NSW Fair Trading is responsible for administering the Hairdressers Act 2003 (the Act).
Hairdressers must have the right qualifications
The Act prohibits unqualified people from acting as hairdressers for a fee, gain or reward.
A qualified hairdresser has one or more of the following:
- a SHB30416 Certificate III in Hairdressing from a registered training organisation
- adequate training as a hairdresser because they have acquired the competencies of the recognised trade vocation and has approval from the Vocational Training Review Panel
- at any time held a licence under Part 6 (Regulation of the hairdressing trade) of the Shops and Industries Act 1962, other than a licence for beauty treatment only.
Apprentices do not require qualifications
An apprentice acting as a hairdresser does not require qualifications and a qualified person should:
- have direct control of the apprentice
- be supervising the apprentice.
Consumer guarantees
You must provide all services with care and skill. Visit the guarantees on services when selling page for more information about your obligations to customers.
Requirement to produce qualifications to authorised NSW Fair Trading Officers
An authorised NSW Fair Trading Officer can ask you to show your qualifications. Failure to do so is an offence.
Register your business name
If you want to trade under a business name that is not your own name, you must register your business name.