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HomeCoursesHairdressing and barberingCertificate II in Salon Assistant

Certificate II in Salon Assistant

This is a starting point for someone who wants to work in a hairdressing salon without yet training as a hairdresser.

  • Duration: 2 months to 6 months
  • Study mode: Online, on campus and workplace based
  • Course code: SHB20216

Where you can study this course

Where
Study mode

  • Melbourne Polytechnic

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    13 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    A number of students find the organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some rate the facilities and campus highly.

  • TAFE NSW

    Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    25 campuses
    Duration
    2 to 6 months
    Study mode
    Varies by campus
    Full fee
    $5,260
    Eligible students: subsidised from $880, concession $160

    What students say

    Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.

  • Charles Darwin University

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    12 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students often praise the facilities and campus, while some value student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on trainers and teaching, with communication also a concern.

  • TAFE Gippsland

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    11 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

  • TAFE Queensland

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    Campuses
    14 campuses
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    On campus
    Full fee
    $3,960
    Eligible students: subsidised from $1,730, concession $1,165

    What students say

    Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.

  • TAFE SA

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    26 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students rate the trainers, teaching, facilities and campus highly, though some found the organisation, admin and communication frustrating; opinions are mixed on facilities and campus.

  • The Gordon

    Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    Geelong City Campus
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    Not stated by provider
    Full fee
    $4,389
    Eligible students: subsidised from $1,838, concession $366

    What students say

    Students rate the trainers and teaching highly, along with the student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on student support and course content.

  • Holmesglen Institute

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    14 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students have mixed views on the trainers and teaching, and many also mention problems with communication and with organisation and admin.

Last reviewed 20 September 2026.

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Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

  • Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:

  • an interest in helping people look and feel their best
  • a friendly and welcoming manner with clients
  • good communication skills for working in a team
  • a careful approach to keeping tools and work areas clean

What will you learn?

You learn the everyday jobs that keep a salon running: shampooing and basin services, drying hair into shape, greeting clients and getting them ready for their appointment, handling payments and the till, and keeping tools and work areas clean and organised. Everything is done under the direct supervision of qualified hairdressers, so the focus is on doing routine tasks well and getting comfortable with salon routines and talking to clients. It prepares you for further training rather than for work as a hairdresser, and there are no entry requirements to start.

  • Shampooing and basin services
  • Drying hair into shape
  • Greeting and preparing clients
  • Salon payments and takings
  • Cleaning and storing tools
  • Workplace health and safety

Units of competency (8 core, 4 elective)

The qualification is made up of 12 units. Everyone completes the 8 core units below, and the remaining 4 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.

  • Loading the details for BSBWHS201…

Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).