Barbering

Be part of the dynamic men’s grooming industry of barbering.

In this qualification you will gain the skills and knowledge to be employed as a creative barber, working as part of a team in a barbering and hair salon environment. You will become competent in communicating in the workplace, consulting with clients, recommending products and services, and designing a range of technical, head and face shaving, freehand clipper designs and beard and moustache services. You will build skills and learn to apply discretion. You will also be responsible for your own creative design.

Industry Placement

CIT is a fully accredited Pivot Point school enabling us to use state of the art resources on campus, off campus and online. Our salons replicate a commercial barber/salon environment – working on clients – which makes the learning journey more enjoyable and practical to barbering clientele.

  • Course Details
    Course/s

    Certificate III in Barbering | SHB30516
    CRICOS: 094153E

  • Course Duration
    Duration

    1 year

  • Course Intake
    Intake

    2025 Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)

    2026 Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)

  • Course Campus
    Campus

    CIT Reid
    From Semester 2 2025, the location of courses delivered at CIT Reid will transition to the new CIT Woden campus. CIT will provide support for students who will be making the move to Woden. Learn more

  • Course Fees
    Fees*

    Tuition Fees:

    2025 Semester 1 : $7,410 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $14,820)

    2025 Semester 2 : TBA

    2026 Semester 1 : TBA

    Extra Fees:

    Uniform: $50 Barbering, Barbering Pivot Point Kit: $1,250 approx., Pivot Point online textbooks: $400 approx.

  • *Please note - Course fees are listed in $AUD and are based on a semester rate. Total course cost will vary depending on semester start date. Small tuition and material fee increases may occur annually in line with CIT's fee pricing review. Fees are subject to change.

  • Entry Requirements

    Academic requirements:

    • Year 12 Certificate or equivalent


    Students over the age of 20 may be eligible for adult entry. Please refer to Entry Requirements for more information.

    English requirements:

    Students must meet one of the following English requirements:

    • IELTS 6.0 (no band score less than 5.0)
    • PTE Academic - 50 (minimum of 36 in each band)
    • Cambridge English test (C1 Advanced and B2 First) - 169

    Non student visa applicants who hold a temporary visa for the full duration of the offered program will be required to meet Australian Core Skills Framework levels of at least 2 across reading, writing, learning, oral communication and, depending on your course of study, numeracy skills to successfully complete this course.

  • Course Subjects - Certificate III

    Certificate III in Barbering | SHB30516 — 26 subjects

    Core: complete all 21 subjects

    • BSBSUS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
    • SHBHBAS001 Provide shampoo and basin services
    • SHBHCUT001 Design haircut structures
    • SHBHCUT002 Create one length or solid haircut structures
    • SHBHCUT003 Create graduated haircut structures
    • SHBHCUT004 Create layered haircut structures
    • SHBHCUT005 Cut hair using over-comb techniques
    • SHBHCUT007 Create combined traditional and classic men's haircut structures
    • SHBHCUT009 Cut hair using freehand clipper techniques
    • SHBHCUT011 Design and maintain beards and moustaches
    • SHBHCUT012 Shave heads and faces
    • SHBHCUT013 Provide men's general grooming services
    • SHBHDES001 Dry hair to shape
    • SHBHIND001 Maintain and organise tools, equipment and work areas
    • SHBHIND003 Develop and expand a client base
    • SHBHTRI001 Identify and treat hair and scalp conditions
    • SHBXIND002 Communicate as part of a salon team
    • SHBXCCS001 Conduct salon financial transactions
    • SHBXCCS002 Provide salon services to clients
    • SHBXIND001 Comply with organisational requirements within a personal services environment
    • SHBXWHS001 Apply safe hygiene, health and work practices

    Electives: complete minimum of 3 subjects

    • SHBHBAS002 Provide head, neck and shoulder massages for relaxation
    • SHBHCUT006 Create combined haircut structures
    • SHBHCUT010 Create haircuts using tracks and carving
    • SHBXCCS004 Recommend products and services
    • SIRRINV001 Receive and handle retail stock

    Electives: complete maximum of 2 subjects

    • SHBHIND004 Participate in session styling teams
    • SITHFAB005 Prepare and serve espresso coffee
  • Likely Job Outcome

    Barber

  • Teaching Methods and Assessment

    This program is delivered using a variety of teaching methods including face-to-face lecture style or smaller tutorial groups, learning in simulated hairdressing salons and online learning through e-Learn.

    Predominantly students will be assessed through a formal observation checklist according to the required skills and knowledge of the subject within a salon environment on a client. The times and dates can often be negotiated between yourself and the teacher, however assessments are identified and scheduled within a time range at the beginning of each subject. Assessment outcomes are based on competency. You will generally have a small amount of theory based assessment which will normally be in an online quiz format or on the Client Consultation Sheet.