A hairdresser washes, cuts, styles and colours hair in a salon or home setting. If you’re passionate about hair styling and trends, this role could be for you.
Find out what a hairdresser does and the related Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses and pathways you can take to secure a job.
What is a hairdresser?
Hairdressers work in salons and people’s homes. As a hairdresser, you wash, cut, colour and style hair, and help treat hair and scalp conditions.
This is a great job for someone who likes to work with their hands, and doesn’t mind working on their feet. If you’re a people person with the ability to build strong relationships with clients, this is also a plus.
Find out more about hairdressers(opens in a new window) and these related jobs on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):
- beauty therapist(opens in a new window)
- hair or beauty salon assistant(opens in a new window)
- hair or beauty salon manager(opens in a new window)
- make up artist(opens in a new window).
Related training courses
Search for related VET courses on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):
- barbering(opens in a new window)
- beauty(opens in a new window)
- hairdressing courses(opens in a new window).
You may be eligible for government funding to help pay for your course.
Median salary
The median weekly earnings for hairdressers in Australia is $1,121.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia(opens in a new window)
Note this salary is current as of June 2024 and is indicative only. A range of salaries apply to different roles across the industry.
Job demand in Victoria
Below are the projected employment forecasts for hairdresser jobs in Victoria. Figures are shown for current workers in 2023, and the expected number of new workers that will be needed by 2026.
Note that the ‘growth percentage’ and ‘new workers needed’ figures take into account replacing workers who are expected to retire in the next 3 years. These forecasts are estimates only. There will be additional jobs available as people move between jobs and industries.
| Region | Workers 2023 | Workforce growth 2023-2026 | New workers needed by 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 15,752 | -0.8% | 262 |
| Melbourne – inner metropolitan | 1,920 | -0.5% | 45 |
| Melbourne – inner south-east metropolitan | 1,734 | -0.8% | 28 |
| Melbourne – southern metropolitan | 2,159 | -0.9% | 26 |
| Melbourne – northern metropolitan | 1,986 | -0.7% | 35 |
| Melbourne – eastern metropolitan | 1,981 | -0.8% | 30 |
| Melbourne – western metropolitan | 1,888 | -0.7% | 37 |
| Ballarat and surrounds (Central Highlands) | 437 | -0.6% | <10 |
| Bendigo, Echuca and surrounds (Loddon Campaspe) | 629 | -1.1% | <10 |
| Geelong, Colac and surrounds (Barwon) | 917 | -0.3% | 28 |
| Gippsland | 861 | -0.8% | 13 |
| Horsham and surrounds (Wimmera Southern Mallee) | 93 | -2.5% | <10 |
| Mildura, Swan Hill and surrounds (Mallee) | 172 | -1.7% | <10 |
| Shepparton, Seymour and surrounds (Goulburn) | 447 | -0.4% | 13 |
| Wangaratta, Wodonga and surrounds (Ovens Murray) | 303 | -0.9% | <10 |
| Warrnambool, Hamilton and surrounds (Great South Coast) | 225 | -1.9% | <10 |
Source: Victorian Skills Authority employment forecast dashboard
Career story
Styled for self-image: Paige’s hairdressing impact
“Our apprenticeships are naturally very practical. You’re in the salon getting first-hand experience which opens up windows of opportunity for learning, growth and making connections in the industry.”
Resources to plan your next steps
Visit our personal services industry profile to find out about:
- what it’s like to work in personal services, and some of the jobs you could do
- training and skills to work in the industry, and financial assistance to help pay for your course
- help getting a job in personal services, and industry job forecasts for Victoria
- other free resources and advice to plan your training and career.
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