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Course description
Do you want to work as a hairdresser?
If you're a people person with strong communication skills and a creative streak, hairdressing could be a rewarding career path for you.
By successfully completing the Certificate III in Hairdressing, you’ll become a qualified hairdresser with the skills and confidence to work in the hair and beauty industry.
This nationally recognised qualification involves a commitment to hands on practical training delivered on campus. You’ll be supported by experienced industry professionals through both online coursework and face to face practical assessments.
Gain real world experience at The Studio our on-campus training salon. You’ll work with real clients, delivering customised services under the guidance of experienced salon staff and educators.
Throughout the course, you’ll learn the latest industry techniques and build confidence in cutting, colouring, highlighting, styling, and long hair design. You’ll also learn to identify and treat hair and scalp conditions.
Additional focus areas include:
- Customer service and communication
- Retail stock management
- Salon hygiene and safety
- Sustainable and healthy work practices
All practical skill assessments are required to be carried out on paying members of the public.
Possible career outcomes
- Qualified Hairdresser/stylist
- Freelance stylist
- Product sales
- Business owner
- Self-employed/Sole trader business
Applications & attendance
How to apply
- Follow our instructions for how to apply for a course.
- Apply online by selecting an intake from the Applications & attendance table below.
If you need help, visit Customer Service or email COURINFO@gordontafe.edu.au.
Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.
Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants
To become an apprentice or trainee, you will first need to find an employer willing to employ you. An Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can assist you with this. Find a local provider here.
| Intake | Applications | Attendance | Classes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Full Year Geelong City Campus |
Open: 1 Aug 2024 Close: 15 Dec 2025 |
Class Day | Part Time | Apprent-Timetable supplied once admitted | |
| 2026 February Geelong City Campus |
Open: 1 Aug 2025 Close: 20 Jan 2026 |
Class Day | Part Time | Start: 03 Feb 2026 | Tues, Thurs & Fri I 9am to 4pm | Apply |
| 2026 Full Year Geelong City Campus |
Open: 1 Aug 2025 Close: 15 Dec 2026 |
Class Day | Part Time | Start: 02 Feb 2026 | Apprent-Timetable supplied once admitted |
Class times are indicative and may change before the course starts. Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessments outside class, varying by course and skill level, or may be required to attend classes both on campus and online.
Follow the link for more information on attendance mode definitions and offer timing.
An application doesn't guarantee a place in the course. Spaces are limited and only completed applications will be considered for an offer. Intakes can be cancelled at any time.
Entrance requirements
- Applicants must be aged 17 or over at the time of course commencement
- Applicants are expected to have literacy and numeracy skills at Year 10 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 2
- Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants must be currently employed under a training contract and referred by their employer
- You must reside in Victoria to access Victorian Government Subsidised Fees and any incentive such as Free TAFE. Full fees apply to all non-Victorian residents.
Apprenticeship and traineeship requirements
Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants must be currently employed under a training contract and referred by their employer.
Personal Learning Requirements
There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.
Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.
Pre-training review
Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills.
Units & assessments
| Core Units | Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Apply safe hygiene, health and work practices | SHBXWHS001 | 40 |
| Colour and lighten hair | SHBHCLS002 | 65 |
| Communicate as part of a salon team | SHBXIND002 | 30 |
| Comply with organisational requirements within a personal services environment | SHBXIND001 | 45 |
| Conduct salon financial transactions | SHBXCCS001 | 25 |
| Create finished hair designs | SHBHDES003 | 50 |
| Create graduated haircut structures | SHBHCUT003 | 35 |
| Create layered haircut structures | SHBHCUT004 | 35 |
| Create one length or solid haircut structures | SHBHCUT002 | 30 |
| Cut hair using over-comb techniques | SHBHCUT005 | 30 |
| Design haircut structures | SHBHCUT001 | 20 |
| Develop and expand a client base | SHBHIND003 | 35 |
| Identify and treat hair and scalp conditions | SHBHTRI001 | 25 |
| Maintain and organise tools, equipment and work areas | SHBHIND001 | 20 |
| Neutralise unwanted colours and tones | SHBHCLS004 | 55 |
| Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices | BSBSUS201 | 20 |
| Provide full and partial head highlighting treatments | SHBHCLS003 | 45 |
| Provide on scalp full head and retouch bleach treatments | SHBHCLS005 | 55 |
| Provide salon services to clients | SHBXCCS002 | 40 |
| Provide shampoo and basin services | SHBHBAS001 | 40 |
| Straighten and relax hair with chemical treatments | SHBHREF002 | 45 |
| Elective Units | Code | Hours |
| Braid hair | SHBHDES002 | 30 |
| Create classic long hair up-styles | SHBHDES004 | 30 |
| Create combined haircut structures | SHBHCUT006 | 45 |
| Create combined traditional and classic men's haircut structures | SHBHCUT007 | 45 |
| Curl and volumise hair with chemical treatments | SHBHREF001 | 65 |
| Participate in session styling teams | SHBHIND004 | 65 |
| Research and use hairdressing industry information | SHBHIND002 | 15 |
Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.
Assessment is based on:
- Questioning
- Observations and practical demonstrations
- Portfolio (work samples)
- Product (reports, projects, role plays etc)
Fees
| Fees | Rate | Unit | Indicative Course Hours | Indicative Tuition | Indicative Gov Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concession Tuition | AUD $0.76 | per hour | 1080 | AUD $821.00 | AUD $14,040.00 |
| Standard Tuition | AUD $3.82 | per hour | 1080 | AUD $4,126.00 | AUD $14,040.00 |
| Full Fee Tuition | AUD $16.90 | per hour | 1080 | AUD $18,252.00 |
|
| Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Levy | AUD $162.00 |
|
Charged at enrolment | ||
| Equipment Levy | AUD $50.00 | Once | Charged at enrolment | ||
| Additional Cost - Trade Tools | AUD $850.00 | Once | Required purchase | ||
| Materials | AUD $1,170.00 | Once | Charged at enrolment | ||
| Resources | AUD $875.00 | Once | Charged at enrolment | ||
All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.
Which fee will I pay?
Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees & Payments pages.
Fee help
Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.
Further study options
Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.