Overview
Fulfil your dream of working in the hairdressing industry with a Certificate III in Hairdressing SHB30416 at Victoria University Polytechnic.
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.
Hands-on learning at specialised facilities
Everything you learn at Victoria University Polytechnic has direct links to the real world. You’ll develop practical skills through hands-on learning so you’re job-ready when you graduate.
You’ll get real-life work experience at Aura at VU, our City Campus student-run hairdressing and beauty salon. This industry-standard facility is fitted with the latest equipment. The salon provides the ideal training environment to practice your skills while expert trainers teach, supervise and guide you. You’ll also gain valuable experience arranging bookings and in customer service.
Study support
Victoria University Polytechnic is a supportive place to study. We have a range of academic support programs that can help you if you're struggling with your studies.
We can help you with your assignments and assessment tasks, maths, writing skills and English language support, as well as showing you effective ways to study and manage your time and preparation. Our study support programs include:
- workshops and study groups
- student mentors and peer learning
- maths and writing resources.
We also have disability support services and counselling services available to all students.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
Become a qualified hairdresser and gain extensive knowledge about hairdressing design and practice.
Careers in hairdressing
Upon successful completion of this Certificate III in Hairdressing SHB30416, you'll be recognised by industry as a fully-qualified hairdresser.
This is a dynamic and creative industry. You could find yourself setting up your own salon or you could find employment with:
- hair salons
- professional photographers
- fashion stylists.
The great thing about this qualification is that there are employment opportunities all over Australia and the world, meaning you really can take your skills anywhere.
Award winning students
Victoria University Polytechnic hair and make-up students won seven awards at the 2019 Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Association (HBIA) Apprentice, Student and Educator Awards. These awards provide an opportunity for industry leaders to recognise young achievers in the industry.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded SHB30416 Certificate III in Hairdressing qualification, 28 units must be completed comprising:
- 21 core units
- 7 elective units, of which:
- 3 units must be selected from either Group A or Group B
- 4 units from Group C.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
Core units
-
- Unit code
- BSBSUS201
-
- Unit code
- SHBHBAS001
-
- Unit code
- SHBHCLS002
-
- Unit code
- SHBHCLS003
-
- Unit code
- SHBHCLS004
-
- Unit code
- SHBHCLS005
-
- Unit code
- SHBHCUT001
-
- Unit code
- SHBHCUT002
-
- Unit code
- SHBHCUT003
-
- Unit code
- SHBHCUT004
-
- Unit code
- SHBHCUT005
-
- Unit code
- SHBHDES003
-
- Unit code
- SHBHIND001
-
- Unit code
- SHBHIND003
-
- Unit code
- SHBHREF002
-
- Unit code
- SHBHTRI001
-
- Unit code
- SHBXCCS001
-
- Unit code
- SHBXCCS002
-
- Unit code
- SHBXIND001
-
- Unit code
- SHBXIND002
-
- Unit code
- SHBXWHS001
Elective units
Group A
-
- Unit code
- SHBHCUT006
-
- Unit code
- SHBHCUT007
-
- Unit code
- SHBHDES004
Group B
No Group B electives available.
Group C
-
- Unit code
- SHBHBAS002
-
- Unit code
- SHBHDES002
-
- Unit code
- SHBXCCS004
-
- Unit code
- SHBHCCS001
Alternative Group C Electives for students commenced 2023 and prior only
-
- Unit code
- SHBHCUT011
-
- Unit code
- SHBHREF003
Learning outcomes
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.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
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.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
Standard applicants must complete to determine suitability:
- Must be 16 years of age or over by course commencement
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
- Literacy and numeracy assessment.
Apprenticeship applicants must complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
- Literacy and numeracy assessment
- must be employed as an apprentice
- must have an active Epsilon number prior to commencing the course.
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)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
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.
How to apply
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.
Available start dates:
- 3 February 2025
- 10 February 2025 (Apprenticeship)
Before you apply
Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Direct applications are due on 24 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 3 February 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
