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The Australian Hair Fashion Awards (AHFA) is the premier independent hairdressing awards program, celebrating the best in Hair Fashion across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. As the longest-running and most prestigious awards of its kind, the AHFA continues to elevate and showcase the industry’s top creative talent on a global stage.Key Dates for 2026 have been released - <a data-mce-href="https://www.australianhairfashionawards.com/" href="https://www.australianhairfashionawards.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">HERE</a>​

Australian Hair Fashion Awards 2026 Key Dates

Collage hairdresser cuts long smooth hair

Our Jobs and Skills Council SaCSA has engaged extensively with stakeholders across industry, VET and unions to explore the challenges and opportunities within the current qualifications. Utilising these insights, they have worked closely with their Technical Committee to shape the updated draft training products.The draft training products are now open for public consultation.&nbsp;View the draft training products and leave your feedback - <a data-mce-href="https://sacsa.org.au/our-projects/review-of-hairdressing-and-barbering-qualifications/" href="https://sacsa.org.au/our-projects/review-of-hairdressing-and-barbering-qualifications/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">HERE</a>

Draft Training Products Public Consultation Period: 20 October 2025 - 27 February 2026

Our Jobs and Skills Council SaCSA is hosting a virtual workshop for apprentices and qualified hairdressers or barbers to provide feedback on what’s working in the current qualifications.&nbsp;If you know any apprentices, graduates or students who might be interested, please share this post with them. The more voices they hear, the stronger and more relevant our training system becomes.Register for the Workshop here below.20 October I 3.30pm - 5.00pm - <a data-mce-href="https://events.humanitix.com/apprentice-and-graduate-voices-hairdressing-and-barbering-workshop" href="https://events.humanitix.com/apprentice-and-graduate-voices-hairdressing-and-barbering-workshop" target="_blank" rel="noopener">REGISTER</a>

Apprentice and Graduate Voices Workshop

Teacher Helping Students Training To Become Hairdressers

The NSW Government is inviting feedback on how to modernise and strengthen the state’s apprenticeship and traineeship system.A review of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 is now underway, with a focus on making the system easier to navigate, more flexible, and better aligned with the skills needs of today’s economy.Over the coming months, the Government will host roundtables with employers, training providers, unions, apprentices, and trainees across NSW. These discussions will help shape reforms aimed at boosting completion rates, supporting regional participation, and improving long-term career outcomes.This is an important opportunity to break down long-standing barriers and create a more responsive skills system for key sectors – including hair, barber, and beauty.📢 Make your voice heard - complete the statewide Have Your Say survey - <a data-mce-href="https://lnkd.in/gFWwHqqg" href="https://lnkd.in/gFWwHqqg">HERE</a> Complete the survey by 11:59 pm Thursday 11 September 2025

Have Your Say: Shaping the Future of Apprenticeships and Traineeships in NSW

<h2>Consumer Insights and Retail Trends</h2>The latest CSRC Snapshot Report - Mid 2025 has been released. This report offers a timely analysis of consumer behaviour, retail sector dynamics, and the key challenges facing hair, beauty and barbering businesses across Australia. Drawing on national data and industry sources, the report provides valuable insights to help operators navigate changing spending patterns and competitive pressures. It covers four core areas: <ol><li>Small business and Sector Overview</li><li>Business Operational and Financial Challenge</li><li>The Battle for the Consumer Dollar</li><li>Key Lessons, Implications and Strategy Suggestions</li></ol>This mid-year update is designed to support members with strategic context and practical takeaways in an evolving market. Members can access the latest CSRC Snapshop in the member portal.<figure id="figure-6j4u0zumuxmdv2uvza"><img id="6j4u0zumuxmdv2uvza" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/39rIaJ7K9aEc25Ec7x5lrQXUYzePb8dKfSRXN0QETtKzaMetbtFe2G5BGLZdvURs.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/39rIaJ7K9aEc25Ec7x5lrQXUYzePb8dKfSRXN0QETtKzaMetbtFe2G5BGLZdvURs.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure> &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

CSRC Snapshot - Mid 2025

The newly released Personal Services Workforce Plan Update 2025 by Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) provides a critical lens on the challenges and future opportunities facing the hair, beauty and barbering industries. These insights build on their 2024 Workforce Planning Reports - Shaping Tomorrow and outline their progress and next steps in developing practical solutions. For the industry this report offers valuable insights into the structural changes, skills gaps and shifting expectations shaping our sector.<figure id="figure-8ubmirpbrqmdshs25m"><img id="8ubmirpbrqmdshs25m" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1713224322/photo/golden-hairdressing-tools-scissors-combs-on-green-background-horizontal-template-with-hair.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=thMRVG48oLV3_UF9mbongTmdVFxuk24LmS2uu0RX2P8=" alt="Golden hairdressing tools scissors combs on green background. Horizontal template with hair salon accessories and copy space." title="Golden hairdressing tools scissors combs on green background. Horizontal template with hair salon accessories and copy space." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1713224322/photo/golden-hairdressing-tools-scissors-combs-on-green-background-horizontal-template-with-hair.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=thMRVG48oLV3_UF9mbongTmdVFxuk24LmS2uu0RX2P8=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Here’s what it reveals and why it matters...<h3>Key Issues Impacting the Hair, Beauty &amp; Barbering Sector</h3>Persistent Workforce Shortages Hairdressers and beauty therapists remain listed on Australia’s national Occupation Shortage List, driven largely by what SaCSA terms a “long training gap.” In 2022–23, fewer than half of advertised vacancies for hairdressers were filled, with 85 percent of applicants considered unsuitable. This shortage is unlikely to be resolved quickly given the extended duration of training required.Declining Training Enrolments Enrolments in SHB training packages have declined by over 30 percent since 2015. While qualification completions have held steadier, most workers do not continue into higher levels of training or leadership roles, limiting opportunities for career advancement and business succession.Attraction and Retention Challenges The sector continues to face high attrition rates, especially among young workers, with average tenure around 18 months. Contributing factors include low wages, limited career pathways, and poor workplace culture. A growing number of professionals are opting for self-employment, which now accounts for nearly half of hairdressers.Outdated and Inflexible Qualifications Stakeholders report that core training units are often misaligned with current practice, limiting the relevance and effectiveness of VET qualifications. There is strong industry demand to modernise the SHB package and introduce more flexible, specialisation-based pathways.Structural Shifts in Business Models The rise of salon suites, freelance operators, home-based salons and chair rental models continues to challenge traditional apprenticeship systems. These modern business formats often lack the infrastructure to host apprentices or provide structured training.Sector Trends and Emerging Opportunities Digital Skills Now Essential Digital fluency - especially in areas like social media, online booking, and salon software is now seen as critical. According to SaCSA’s 2024 survey, social media and digital marketing were identified as the top skills in demand across hair, beauty and barbering. CSRC offers Professional Certifications in Social Media Marketing.Entrepreneurial Aspirations Are Growing A significant portion of Certificate III learners express a desire to run their own businesses. Training needs to better support this shift by embedding leadership, management, and business development skills into core or elective units.Greater Inclusion and Accessibility Needed Regional and remote communities face limited training access, while barriers such as cost of living, transport, and rigid delivery formats prevent many disadvantaged learners from completing qualifications. Flexible models and modular training delivery are needed to bridge the gap.School Partnerships and Early Engagement Hairdressing qualifications are popular in VET in Schools programs, but completion rates remain low. In 2023, only 9 of 813 enrolled students completed their qualifications. Better school engagement, career showcasing, and mentorship opportunities are critical to improve retention.<figure id="figure-p130jy4548mdshtxox"><img id="p130jy4548mdshtxox" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/511776997/photo/teacher-helping-students-training-to-become-hairdressers.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=sIl1MNNgMoY0GLEMjtvI50zIxjbfaRozLEAdaibWSAo=" alt="Teacher Helping Students Training To Become Hairdressers" title="Teacher Helping Students Training To Become Hairdressers" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/511776997/photo/teacher-helping-students-training-to-become-hairdressers.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=sIl1MNNgMoY0GLEMjtvI50zIxjbfaRozLEAdaibWSAo=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>&nbsp;What Actions are Underway? SaCSA is progressing several initiatives to address these issues and reposition the sector for long-term success:1. Review of Hairdressing &amp; Barbering Qualifications A comprehensive review is underway to modernise four key qualifications (Certificate III in Hairdressing, Certificate III in Barbering, Certificate IV in Hairdressing, and Diploma of Salon Management) to ensure alignment with industry needs and remove outdated or redundant content.2. Workforce Shortage Research A targeted project is investigating the drivers of workforce shortages, apprenticeship attrition, and declining VET participation to inform evidence-based training reform.3. Unit Currency Audit This national project is reviewing superseded and deleted training units to ensure currency and relevance across the SHB, SIR, SIT, SFL, and SIF training packages.4. Career Mapping and Digital Skills Gap Analysis Upcoming initiatives will explore digital transformation, sustainability, and evolving career pathways to ensure learners are equipped for the realities of today’s working environments.The SaCSA 2025 Workforce Plan confirms that while challenges persist, there is significant momentum toward reform. The Creative Skills Retail Council is committed to supporting these efforts through our impact-driven programs. Access the Full Report - <a data-mce-href="https://sacsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SaCSA-Personal-Services-Workforce-Plan-Update-2025-Compressed.pdf.pdf" href="https://sacsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SaCSA-Personal-Services-Workforce-Plan-Update-2025-Compressed.pdf.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE.</a>Source: © SaCSA, Progress in Action: Personal Services Workforce Plan Update, 2025.

News

Australian Hair Fashion Awards 2026 Key Dates

Draft Training Products Public Consultation Period: 20 Oc...

Apprentice and Graduate Voices Workshop

Have Your Say: Shaping the Future of Apprenticeships and ...

CSRC Snapshot - Mid 2025

Key Insights from SaCSA’s Progress in Action: Personal Se...