Hairdressers' frequently asked questions
Deregulation of the hairdressing industry
General information- Why deregulate the hairdressing industry?
- What does the proposal involve?
- Where can I get updates about the proposal?
- Who can I contact for more information?
- At the moment, do I still need to be registered to practice?
- When will renewal fees cease to be payable?
- What will happen to the Board’s funds?
- If the proposal proceeds, what laws will govern hairdressers in Western Australia?
- At the moment, do I need to be registered to practice?
- What will happen to hairdressing apprenticeships?
- Should I leave my apprenticeship?
- Who will I be able to employ as a hairdresser?
- What will be my obligations as a proprietor of a hairdressing business?
- Will I have to nominate a principal hairdresser?
- Who will deal with complaints?
General information
Why deregulate the hairdressing industry?
- Since the Hairdressers Registration Act 1946 was introduced, a range of consumer protection, education and training and occupational health and safety laws have been put in place that provide a sufficient regulatory framework for the hairdressing industry.
- The current regime in Western Australia is inequitable because it does not apply to all areas of the State.
- Western Australia is the only State or Territory that has a registration scheme for hairdressers and a statutory board to administer that scheme.
- The proposal would reduce red tape by removing barriers to entering the hairdressing industry, reduce costs to small business and assist in addressing skills shortages.
What does the proposal involve?
The proposal involved changes to the law and came into effect later in November 2010. Now that the registration process has been abolished:
- hairdressers are not required to be registered to operate in any area of the State and no longer pay annual registration fees;
- classes of hairdressing, as previously set out in the Hairdressers Registration Act 1946 cease to exist;
- the requirement for (a) principal/s to be employed in hairdressing premises no longer applies.
- the Hairdressers Registration Board (the Board) has been abolished and exams (where previously deemed to be required) for interstate and overseas applicants no longer apply.
Where can I get updates about the proposal?
Updates on the progress of the proposal will be posted to this website.
Who can I contact for more information?
If you have any further queries, please contact Consumer Protection’s Advice Line on 1300 30 40 54.
Hairdressers
At the moment, do I still need to be registered to practice?
No, from 1 November 2010 the requirement for Hairdressers to be registered ceased.
When will renewal fees cease to be payable?
Hairdressers will not be required to pay registration fees from January 2011.
What will happen to the Board’s funds?
Funds will be used to pay off the Board’s liabilities and meet any ongoing commitments.
What laws will govern hairdressers in Western Australia?
Hairdressers will need to continue to comply with the requirements of the Fair Trading Act 1987, the Consumer Affairs Act 1971, the Hairdressing Establishment Regulations 1972 and the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, amongst other laws relating to the operation of a business in this State.
Prospective hairdressers
Do I need to be registered to practice?
No, from 1 November 2010 the requirement for Hairdressers to be registered ceased
What will happen to hairdressing apprenticeships?
The legislation governing hairdressing apprenticeships is not affected by the repeal of the Hairdressers Registration Act 1946.
In addition, the Hairdressers Award 1989 provides 'the maximum number of apprentices allowed to any employer in the industry shall be in the proportion of two to every one fully qualified senior hairdresser employed by him or her.'
Information about hairdressing apprenticeships only is available from ApprentiCentre on 13 19 54.
Should I leave my apprenticeship?
You are no longer required to nominate a principal for any class of hairdressing at any of your hairdressing premises. However, you will continue to have strong business incentives to avoid complaints by ensuring that staff are well-trained and can meet your customers’ hairdressing requirements.
Employers
Who will I be able to employ as a hairdresser?
You will continue to be responsible for ensuring that you employ appropriately trained and qualified staff for the services that you are providing.
What will be my obligations as a proprietor of a hairdressing business?
As a proprietor of a hairdressing business, you will still be required to comply with the Fair Trading Act 1987, the Hairdressing Establishment Regulations 1972 and the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, amongst other laws relating to the operation of a business.
When the proposal is implemented, you will need to continue to:
- accurately represent the services your business is providing, including the skills of the staff you employ to provide those services;
- provide hairdressing services with due care and skill and ensure that any materials supplied in connection with those services will be fit for the purpose for which they are supplied;
- provide a safe, clean workplace for hairdressing staff and clients, including the safe handling and use of chemicals; and
- continue to pay your staff in accordance with the relevant Hairdressers Award unless an alternative agreement is in place.
Will I have to nominate a principal hairdresser?
When the new laws commence, you will no longer be required to nominate a principal for any class of hairdressing at any of your hairdressing premises. However, you will continue to have strong business incentives to avoid complaints by ensuring that staff are well-trained and can meet your customers’ hairdressing requirements.
Who can deal with complaints?
Consumers, who are unable to resolve problems with their hairdresser about the quality of the services they have received, can direct any complaints to Consumer Protection. Similarly, workplace safety and health concerns can be raised with worksafe.