Hairdressing

Start your sensational hairdressing career with this full-time course. Designed to provide you with all the skills and knowledge to become a qualified hairdresser, this course focuses on real-life and hands-on hairdressing experiences, making you ready to enter this exciting industry.

You will have access to the latest in quality training resources and products. You will learn from our expert teachers, practice in a real-salon environment (with real clients) and gain all the skills you need to become a successful hairdresser – including very important skills like communication and quality customer service. On graduation, you will be skilled in styling, cutting, colouring and selling, and ready to thrive in the hairdressing world!

Industry Placement

CIT is a fully accredited Pivot Point school giving you access to state-of-the-art resources on-campus, off-campus and online. Our salons replicate a commercial salon environment, which gives you hands-on experience with real clients and the knowledge and confidence to be ready for employment.

  • Course Details
    Course/s

    Certificate III in Hairdressing | SHB30416
    CRICOS: 094149A

  • Course Duration
    Duration

    1.5 years

  • 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 $22,230)

    2025 Semester 2 : TBA

    2026 Semester 1 : TBA

    Extra Fees:

    Uniform: $50, Hairdressing Pivot Point kit: $1,750, 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 Hairdressing | SHB30416 — 28 subjects

    Core: complete all 21 subjects

    • BSBSUS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
    • SHBHBAS001 Provide shampoo and basin services
    • SHBHCLS002 Colour and lighten hair
    • SHBHCLS003 Provide full and partial head highlighting treatments
    • SHBHCLS004 Neutralise unwanted colours and tones
    • SHBHCLS005 Provide on scalp full head and retouch bleach treatments
    • 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
    • SHBHDES003 Create finished hair designs
    • SHBHIND001 Maintain and organise tools, equipment and work areas
    • SHBHIND003 Develop and expand a client base
    • SHBHREF002 Straighten and relax hair with chemical treatments
    • SHBHTRI001 Identify and treat hair and scalp conditions
    • 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
    • SHBXIND002 Communicate as part of a salon team

    Electives: complete 7 subjects

    • SHBHCUT006 Create combined haircut structures
    • SHBHCUT007 Create combined traditional and classic men's haircut structures
    • SHBHDES004 Create classic long hair up-styles
    • SHBHBAS002 Provide head, neck and shoulder massages for relaxation
    • SHBHDES002 Braid hair
    • SHBXCCS004 Recommend products and services
    • SHBHIND004 Participate in session styling teams
    • SHBHREF001 Curl and volumise hair with chemical treatments
  • Likely Job Outcome

    Hairdresser – working as part of a team in a hairdressing environment, competent in communicating in the workplace, consulting with clients, recommending products and services, and designing and applying a broad range of technical hairdressing services on clients.

  • 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 on-line 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.