Program Overview

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Certificate III in Barbering

Kick start your career in the hairdressing industry and become a barber with this entry-level course.

Course Overview

Kick start your career in barbering with this entry-level qualification. You will develop the essential skills and knowledge to work as a barber.

According to the Australian Government's Job Outlook service, skills in hairdressing and barbering are in demand with employers finding it hard to fill vacancies. The industry grew very strongly over the past five years and is expected to continue to expand with more than 31,000 job openings expected over the next five years.

You will develop a variety of skills including head and face shaving, carving, and clipper over comb techniques. You will also learn about a variety of modern salon operations including stock management, building and retaining a clientele, and processing financial transactions. Your training will take place in the classroom and in a simulated professional salon environment supported by industry-experienced teachers.

Successful completion of this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to confidently seek employment opportunities in barbering.

What Can I Do?

• Barber

Course Outcome

SHB30516 Certificate III in Barbering

Trade Skills Assessment and Gap Training Program

If you can demonstrate substantial competency in this qualification, you may be able to access funding for recognition of prior learning and gap training through the Trade Skills and Assessment Gap Training (TSAGT) program. TAFE Queensland is a proud recipient of funding from the Queensland Government, Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET) for this program. Only eligible participants may receive funding for eligible courses. Learn more about eligibility criteria.

Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s

The Queensland government is supporting young Queenslanders up to the age of 25 by providing access to fully subsidised training across a range of priority apprenticeship or traineeship qualifications. Learn more.

What You Will Study

The successful achievement of this qualification requires you to complete all core and 5 elective units from the list below.

Core Units

• UNIT CODE: BSBSUS201
  • UNIT NAME: Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
  • Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to effectively measure current resource use and carry out improvements, including reducing the negative environmental impact of work practices.
• UNIT CODE: SHBHBAS001
  • UNIT NAME: Provide shampoo and basin services
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to complete a range of hair services provided at the basin area including pre-service shampoos and treatments, and post treatment removal of residual colour and lightening products.
• UNIT CODE: SHBHCUT001
  • UNIT NAME: Design haircut structures
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop 2-D visual representations and plans for solid form, graduated and increased and uniform layered haircut structures. This enables hairdressers to visualise the components of finished haircut structures as aids to planning and completing haircuts.
• UNIT CODE: SHBHCUT002
  • UNIT NAME: Create one length or solid haircut structures
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to consult with clients and analyse hair and facial characteristics to design and recommend complementary one length or solid haircuts. It requires the ability to cut hair into one length or solid hair cut structures and to finish hair to shape.
  • Pre-requisite unit: SHBHCUT001
• UNIT CODE: SHBHCUT003
  • UNIT NAME: Create graduated haircut structures
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to consult with clients and analyse hair and facial characteristics to design and recommend complementary graduated haircuts. It requires the ability to cut hair into graduated hair cut structures and to finish hair to shape.
  • Pre-requisite unit: SHBHCUT001
• UNIT CODE: SHBHCUT004
  • UNIT NAME: Create layered haircut structures
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to consult with clients and analyse hair and facial characteristics to design and recommend complementary layered haircuts. It requires the ability to cut hair into both uniform and increased layered hair cut structures and to finish hair to shape.
  • Pre-requisite unit: SHBHCUT001
• UNIT CODE: SHBHCUT005
  • UNIT NAME: Cut hair using over-comb techniques
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to consult with clients and analyse hair and facial characteristics to design, recommend and complete complementary tapered haircuts. It requires the ability to cut hair using scissor-over-comb and clipper-over-comb techniques, to remove bulk, to blend different structures within haircuts and to outline or blend perimeters of haircuts.
  • Pre-requisite unit: SHBHCUT001
• UNIT CODE: SHBHCUT007
  • UNIT NAME: Create combined traditional and classic men's haircut structures
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to consult with clients and analyse hair and facial characteristics to design, recommend and complete a range of complementary traditional and classic men's haircuts which combine different structures. The combination may involve two or more different structures which can include solid, graduated and layered structures and those tapered haircuts created using over-comb techniques.
  • Pre-requisite unit: SHBHCUT002, SHBHCUT003, SHBHCUT004, SHBHCUT005
• UNIT CODE: SHBHCUT009
  • UNIT NAME: Cut hair using freehand clipper techniques
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to consult with clients and analyse hair and facial characteristics to design, recommend and complete complementary haircuts using freehand clipper techniques.
  • Pre-requisite unit: SHBHCUT001
• UNIT CODE: SHBHCUT011
  • UNIT NAME: Design and maintain beards and moustaches
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to consult with clients and analyse beard, moustache and facial characteristics to design, recommend and complete a range of complementary styles. It also involves ongoing maintenance of styles.
• UNIT CODE: SHBHCUT012
  • UNIT NAME: Shave heads and faces
  • Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to complete face and head shaves after analysing the client's head, face and hair characteristics for impacting factors.
• UNIT CODE: SHBHCUT013
  • UNIT NAME: Provide men's general grooming services
  • Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to consult with clients and provide a range of general men's grooming services including trimming eyebrow and ear hair and shaving the neck under a beard. These enhancement services are usually offered in conjunction with haircutting services.
• UNIT CODE: SHBHDES001
  • UNIT NAME: Dry hair to shape
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to use a variety of styling tools to dry hair to shape after services completed by hairdressers or barbers in the salon team.
• UNIT CODE: SHBHIND001
  • UNIT NAME: Maintain and organise tools, equipment and work areas
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to maintain, organise and clean tools, equipment and work areas to ensure a clean and tidy client environment and the hygienic and safe provision of hair services.
• UNIT CODE: SHBHIND003
  • UNIT NAME: Develop and expand a client base
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required by hairdressers and barbers to develop, sustain and expand a personal clientele in order to remain a viable industry employee. Building relationships with clients occurs while hairdressers and barbers are delivering a range of services in the salon in which they are employed or operate.
• UNIT CODE: SHBHTRI001
  • UNIT NAME: Identify and treat hair and scalp conditions
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to recognise a range of hair and scalp conditions as part of a pre-hair service analysis, to advise on and provide remedial treatments for minor conditions and to advise clients to seek further advice for abnormal or contagious conditions.
• UNIT CODE: SHBXCCS001
  • UNIT NAME: Conduct salon financial transactions
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to conduct financial transactions for the sale of products and services within a personal services environment.
• UNIT CODE: SHBXCCS002
  • UNIT NAME: Provide salon services to clients
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide a complete customer service experience.
• UNIT CODE: SHBXIND001
  • UNIT NAME: Comply with organisational requirements within a personal services environment
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work in a personal services environment by integrating knowledge of workplace rights and responsibilities and organisational policies and procedures, and by using effective team and individual work practices to plan and organise daily work activities.
• UNIT CODE: SHBXIND002
  • UNIT NAME: Communicate as part of a salon team
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work as part of a team in a salon or retail cosmetics environment. It requires the ability to communicate with colleagues and senior staff and actively participate in a team work environment.
• UNIT CODE: SHBXWHS001
  • UNIT NAME: Apply safe hygiene, health and work practices
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to follow safe practices to minimise risks to self, client and colleagues in a salon environment.

Elective Units

• UNIT CODE: SHBHBAS002
  • UNIT NAME: Provide head, neck and shoulder massages for relaxation
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide relaxing head, neck and shoulder massages prior to other hair services. It requires the ability to use a basic range of massage techniques.
• UNIT CODE: SHBHCUT006
  • UNIT NAME: Create combined haircut structures
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to consult with clients and analyse hair and facial characteristics to design, recommend and complete a range of complementary haircuts which combine different structures. The combination may involve two or more different structures which can include solid, graduated and layered structures and those tapered haircuts created using over-comb techniques.
  • Pre-requisite unit: SHBHCUT002, SHBHCUT003, SHBHCUT004
• UNIT CODE: SHBHCUT010
  • UNIT NAME: Create haircuts using tracks and carving
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to source or create designs for tracks and creative carvings and to incorporate those into haircuts using clippers, scissors, razors or precision trimming tools.
• UNIT CODE: SHBHIND002
  • UNIT NAME: Research and use hairdressing industry information
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify appropriate information sources and to research, develop and maintain knowledge which underpins effective performance of all hairdressing or barbering sales and service activities.
• UNIT CODE: SHBXCCS004
  • UNIT NAME: Recommend products and services
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop and update knowledge of the organisation's product and service range and to recommend products and services suited to customer needs. Products and services will vary according to the particular business type but can include any from a hair, barbering, beauty or cosmetics range.

Ways to Study

• On campus
• Apprenticeships or traineeships

Choose Your Study Location

• Greater Brisbane
• Sunshine Coast
• Darling Downs and South West
• North Queensland

Campus Information

CAMPUS	STUDY MODE	START DATE	DURATION	WORKLOAD	WHAT YOU'LL PAY
Ipswich	On Campus	Anytime	6 months	Part time up to 3 days per week - completed Certificate III in Hairdressing	Full fee: $12,740
Ipswich	On Campus	14 Jul 2025	1 year	Full time 3 days per week plus self-directed learning	Full fee: $12,740
Mooloolaba	On Campus	14 Jul 2025	1 year	Full time 2 days per week	Full fee: $12,740
Toowoomba	On Campus	Anytime	6 months	Part time up to 3 days per week - completed Certificate III in Hairdressing	Full fee: $12,740
Toowoomba	On Campus	14 Jul 2025	1 year	Full time 3 days per week plus self-directed learning	Full fee: $12,740
Townsville - Pimlico	On Campus	Anytime	up to 1 year	Full time 3 days per week 9am - 4pm	Full fee: $12,740
Cairns	On campus with some online	Anytime	up to 1 year	Full time 3 days per week	Full fee: $12,740

Apprenticeship Information

CAMPUS	APPRENTICESHIP / TRAINEESHIPS
Caboolture	Apprenticeship
South Bank	Apprenticeship
Loganlea	Apprenticeship
Ipswich	Apprenticeship
Robina	Apprenticeship
Mooloolaba	Apprenticeship
Toowoomba	Apprenticeship
Hervey Bay	Apprenticeship
Gympie	Apprenticeship
Bundaberg	Apprenticeship
Townsville - Pimlico	Apprenticeship
Burdekin	Apprenticeship
Cairns	Apprenticeship

Payment Options

• Payment plan
• Upfront payment

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this course.

Selection Criteria

• You must have completed year 10 or equivalent.
• If you are under 17 years of age, special enrolment conditions apply.

Resources Required

• It is recommended that you have access to a reliable internet connection to access TAFE Queensland's online learning system Connect, and a computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• You are responsible for meeting the minimum standard of dress. This includes having access to and wearing a black shirt, black pants or skirt (accompanied by black stockings or leggings), and enclosed, non-slip soles.
• You may also be required to purchase TAFE Queensland branded uniform items.
• Approximate cost for hairdressing tools range from $500-$900.

Assessment Methods

• Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course.
• You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning.

University Pathways

If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfers

Fast track your way to a formal qualification by earning credit for the things you already know. We can assess your skills, directly apply credits from previous successful study, and give you advanced standing in your course.