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HomeCoursesHairdressing and barberingCertificate III in Barbering

Certificate III in Barbering

This is the trade qualification for barbering, and it covers the full range of cutting and grooming work a barber does in a shop.

  • Duration: 8 months to 3 years
  • Study mode: On campus and workplace based
  • Course code: SHB30516

Where you can study this course

Where
Study mode

  • Melbourne Polytechnic

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    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
    93 campuses
    Duration
    8 months to 3 years
    Study mode
    Varies by campus
    Full fee
    $11,810
    Eligible students: subsidised from $2,130, concession $240

    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.

  • Victoria University

    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

    What students say

    Most students praise the student support, while others find it frustrating. Many rate the facilities and campus well, and some criticise the organisation and admin.

  • 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 Queensland

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    Campuses
    10 campuses
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    On campus
    Full fee
    $13,130

    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.

  • Box Hill Institute

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

    What students say

    Students speak highly of the trainers and teaching, with the campus and facilities also well regarded. Many found student support frustrating, along with organisation and communication.

  • 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
    $14,230
    Eligible students: subsidised from $3,919, concession $787

    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.

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 men's hair and grooming
  • steady hands and good hand-eye coordination
  • an eye for shape and detail
  • enjoyment of talking with clients

What will you learn?

Students learn clipper work, scissor cutting, fading and layering, beard and moustache shaping, wet shaves and head shaves, plus the shampooing and grooming services that go with them. The course also covers the parts of the job that keep a chair busy: consulting with clients, recommending styles, treating scalp and hair conditions, handling payments, and building a regular clientele. There are no entry requirements, so you can start without prior hairdressing experience.

  • Clipper cutting and fades
  • Scissor cutting and layering
  • Beard and moustache shaping
  • Wet shaves and head shaves
  • Client consultation and care
  • Building a client base

Units of competency (21 core, 5 elective)

The qualification is made up of 26 units. Everyone completes the 21 core units below, and the remaining 5 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.

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