Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) - the government body responsible for keeping vocational qualifications current - identified that the existing SHB hairdressing and barbering qualifications no longer reflect the complexity, creativity, and commercial realities of modern salon and barbershop life. Industry stakeholders, educators, and apprentices all raised concerns that the requirements of the current qualification were not reflective of what employers actually need, contained significant duplication and onerous assessment requirements that took time away from skill development and acquisition.

SaCSA also identified that 41 units of competency across the 4 hairdressing and barbering qualifications are either superseded or deleted - a major housekeeping exercise signalling the entire training package is being actively modernised.

• 6 core units superseded and 1 elective unit deleted - Hairdressing

• 6 core units superseded and 1 elective unit deleted - Barbering

• 7 elective units and 1 core unit superseded in the Certificate IV

• 1 core unit deleted, 2 core units and 16 elective units superseded in the Diploma of Salon Management

The primary focus qualifications are:

• SHB30416 – Certificate III in Hairdressing

• SHB30516 – Certificate III in Barbering

• SHB40216 – Certificate IV in Hairdressing

Also included (because it spans both sectors):

• SHB50216 – Diploma of Salon Management

As this is a major change, this project is expected to result in new qualification codes.

No. This was proposed in the first draft, but due to strong industry feedback SaCSA have revised this structure and will proceed with two separate qualifications.

The two qualifications will however share common core units of competency.

The review has three core goals:

1. Reduce duplication - overlapping units across hairdressing and barbering will be consolidated, while keeping essential repetition where competency requires it
2. Improve pathways - clearer progression from Cert III → Cert IV → Diploma, making career advancement easier to navigate
3. Enhance practical skills - sharper focus on foundational, job-ready skills from day one, replacing content that salons and barbershops say doesn't translate to real work.

Final unit changes are not yet confirmed (pending endorsement in September 2026), but based on the consultation and project summary, the updated SHB30416 is expected to:

• Remove unnecessary duplication across units.
  
• Increase emphasis on client consultation, colour chemistry, and business fundamentals.
• Align technical standards more closely with what high-performing salons now expect.
• Introduce Skill Sets - identified units of competency that can be offered collectively to provide recognised skills in a specific area.
• Increase emphasis on the ability to work with different hair textures and curl movement across all practical skills, and the introduction of elective units focusing specifically on these skills.

The barbering qualification is being reviewed with the same framework. Expected changes include:

• Removal of units that simply repeat content from the hairdressing qual without adding barbering-specific value.

• Greater focus on skin fades, beard work, straight razor techniques, and the commercial realities of modern barbershops.

Currently SHB30516 requires 26 units of competency. Whether that total changes will depend on the final endorsed structure.

The published date is September 2026, however there are a few steps to be completed prior. The current timeline is as below:

• Now - Incorporation of feedback from the consultation process
• August 2026 - Submitted to the Quality Assurance Body.
• September 2026 - Skills Ministers' endorsement & training products published.
• 2027 - RTOs expected to implement updated qualifications for new enrolments.
  
  

Yes, absolutely. Nationally endorsed qualifications remain valid regardless of when you completed them. Your Certificate III in Hairdressing or Barbering will be recognised by employers across Australia.

When new qualifications are endorsed, RTOs are given a teach-out period (typically 12 months) to complete enrolments under the old codes. Completed qualifications are never retrospectively invalidated. 

✅ If you have more than 12 months of study remaining, your school will work with you to transition you to the new qualification.

Right now, the most important action is staying informed and being prepared. Specific compliance obligations won't be confirmed until after endorsement (September 2026). However, to be ahead of the curve:

• Review SaCSA's product page and download the Public Consultation Strategy document.
• Subscribe to SaCSA's newsletter for updates.
• Audit your current training resources, assessment tools, and delivery materials against the draft units - identifying what will need to be updated or replaced before the teach-out period begins.
• Begin mapping your current scope of registration against the proposed changes.
• Plan for the 12-month teach-out period - you'll have time to transition enrolments.

🎯 We're actively monitoring the SaCSA interim report and tracking draft unit changes as they're released. We'll flag what needs updating in your resources before it becomes urgent - so you're not doing this alone.

No - and delaying would actually cost you more than it protects you.

Apprentices enrolled now will complete under the current SHB30416 or SHB30516, which is fully nationally accredited and recognised across the industry. These qualifications won't be superseded until at least September 2026, and RTOs have a 12-month teach-out period after that - meaning there's no cliff-edge for anyone currently in training.

Waiting until new qualifications are available in 2027 could mean losing 1-2 years of a trained team member in your business for no practical benefit. An apprentice who starts today will be training, embedded in your culture, and productive well before the new frameworks land.

The qualification review is about raising industry standards - not invalidating existing ones. Your investment in an apprentice right now is sound.

No - there's no reason to wait. The current qualifications are fully nationally accredited and widely recognised by employers right now. New qualifications won't be available for enrolment until 2027 at the earliest.

Waiting means missing 1–2 years of training time and income. Completing SHB30416 or SHB30516 now puts you in the industry faster, and if you need to transition, all of your skills and learning can be transferred, giving you credit in the new qualification.

No, SHB30516 is a stand-alone qualification and there is no requirement to complete SHB30416 prior to undertaking SHB30516.

If you hold the SHB30416 qualification, you can complete the SHB30516 by undertaking the additional barbering units. This enables qualified hairdressers to gain a qualification in barbering also. Some RTOs only offer SHB30516 this way, but most will offer each qualification as a standalone course.

All official project documents are published on the SaCSA website, including the Training Product Project Summary and the Public Consultation Strategy. Draft training products were available during the consultation period (October 2025 – February 2026).

Visit SaCSA for more information.

Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) - the government body responsible for keeping vocational qualifications current - identified that the existing SHB hairdressing and barbering qualifications no longer reflect the complexity, creativity, and commercial realities of modern salon and barbershop life. Industry stakeholders, educators, and apprentices all raised concerns that the requirements of the current qualification were not reflective of what employers actually need, contained significant duplication and onerous assessment requirements that took time away from skill development and acquisition.

SaCSA also identified that 41 units of competency across the 4 hairdressing and barbering qualifications are either superseded or deleted - a major housekeeping exercise signalling the entire training package is being actively modernised.

• 6 core units superseded and 1 elective unit deleted - Hairdressing

• 6 core units superseded and 1 elective unit deleted - Barbering

• 7 elective units and 1 core unit superseded in the Certificate IV

• 1 core unit deleted, 2 core units and 16 elective units superseded in the Diploma of Salon Management

The primary focus qualifications are:

• SHB30416 – Certificate III in Hairdressing

• SHB30516 – Certificate III in Barbering

• SHB40216 – Certificate IV in Hairdressing

Also included (because it spans both sectors):

• SHB50216 – Diploma of Salon Management

As this is a major change, this project is expected to result in new qualification codes.

No. This was proposed in the first draft, but due to strong industry feedback SaCSA have revised this structure and will proceed with two separate qualifications.

The two qualifications will however share common core units of competency.

The review has three core goals:

1. Reduce duplication - overlapping units across hairdressing and barbering will be consolidated, while keeping essential repetition where competency requires it
2. Improve pathways - clearer progression from Cert III → Cert IV → Diploma, making career advancement easier to navigate
3. Enhance practical skills - sharper focus on foundational, job-ready skills from day one, replacing content that salons and barbershops say doesn't translate to real work.

Final unit changes are not yet confirmed (pending endorsement in September 2026), but based on the consultation and project summary, the updated SHB30416 is expected to:

• Remove unnecessary duplication across units.
• Tighten the elective structure to reduce inconsistency between RTOs
• Increase emphasis on client consultation, colour chemistry, and business fundamentals.
• Align technical standards more closely with what high-performing salons now expect.
• Introduction of Skill Sets - identified units of competency that can be offered collectively to provide recognised skills in a specific area. 
• Increase emphasis on the ability to work with different hair texture and curl movement across all practical skills, and the introduction of elective units focusing specifically on these skills.

The published date is September 2026, however there are a few steps to be completed prior. The current timeline is as below:

• Now - Incorporation of feedback from the consultation process
• August 2026 - Submitted to the Quality Assurance Body.
• September 2026 - Skills Ministers' endorsement & training products published.
• 2027 - RTOs expected to implement updated qualifications for new enrolments.

Yes, absolutely. Nationally endorsed qualifications remain valid regardless of when you completed them. Your Certificate III in Hairdressing or Barbering will be recognised by employers across Australia.

When new qualifications are endorsed, RTOs are given a teach-out period (typically 12 months) to complete enrolments under the old codes. Completed qualifications are never retrospectively invalidated. 

✅ If you have more than 12 months of study remaining, your school will work with you to transition you to the new qualification.

No - there's no reason to wait. The current qualifications are fully nationally accredited and widely recognised by employers right now. New qualifications won't be available for enrolment until 2027 at the earliest.

Waiting means missing 1–2 years of training time and income. Completing SHB30416 or SHB30516 now puts you in the industry faster, and if you need to transition, all of your skills and learning can be transferred, giving you credit in the new qualification.

SHB30416 Certificate III in Hairdressing covers the full range of salon hairdressing: cutting, colouring, chemical treatments, styling, and client services - primarily for salon environments.

SHB30516 Certificate III in Barbering focuses on barbering-specific techniques: clipper work, skin fades, beard grooming and styling, straight razor services - for barbershop environments.

Both qualifications share some common units (infection control, client consultation, workplace safety).

No, SHB30516 is a stand-alone qualification and there is no requirement to complete SHB30416 prior to undertaking SHB30516.

If you hold the SHB30416 qualification, you can complete the SHB30516 by undertaking the additional barbering units. This enables qualified hairdressers to gain a qualification in barbering also. Some RTOs only offer SHB30516 this way, but most will offer each qualification as a standalone course.

All official project documents are published on the SaCSA website, including the Training Product Project Summary and the Public Consultation Strategy. Draft training products were available during the consultation period (October 2025 – February 2026).

Visit SaCSA for more information.

Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) - the government body responsible for keeping vocational qualifications current - identified that the existing SHB hairdressing and barbering qualifications no longer reflect the complexity, creativity, and commercial realities of modern salon and barbershop life. Industry stakeholders, educators, and apprentices all raised concerns that the requirements of the current qualification were not reflective of what employers actually need, contained significant duplication and onerous assessment requirements that took time away from skill development and acquisition.

SaCSA also identified that 41 units of competency across the 4 hairdressing and barbering qualifications are either superseded or deleted - a major housekeeping exercise signalling the entire training package is being actively modernised.

• 6 core units superseded and 1 elective unit deleted - Hairdressing

• 6 core units superseded and 1 elective unit deleted - Barbering

• 7 elective units and 1 core unit superseded in the Certificate IV

• 1 core unit deleted, 2 core units and 16 elective units superseded in the Diploma of Salon Management

The primary focus qualifications are:

• SHB30416 – Certificate III in Hairdressing

• SHB30516 – Certificate III in Barbering

• SHB40216 – Certificate IV in Hairdressing

Also included (because it spans both sectors):

• SHB50216 – Diploma of Salon Management

As this is a major change, this project is expected to result in new qualification codes.

No. This was proposed in the first draft, but due to strong industry feedback SaCSA have revised this structure and will proceed with two separate qualifications.

The two qualifications will however share common core units of competency.

The review has three core goals:

1. Reduce duplication - overlapping units across hairdressing and barbering will be consolidated, while keeping essential repetition where competency requires it
2. Improve pathways - clearer progression from Cert III → Cert IV → Diploma, making career advancement easier to navigate
3. Enhance practical skills - sharper focus on foundational, job-ready skills from day one, replacing content that salons and barbershops say doesn't translate to real work.

The barbering qualification is being reviewed with the same framework. Expected changes include:

• Removal of units that simply repeat content from the hairdressing qual without adding barbering-specific value.

• Greater focus on skin fades, beard work, straight razor techniques, and the commercial realities of modern barbershops.

Currently SHB30516 requires 26 units of competency. Whether that total changes will depend on the final endorsed structure.

The published date is September 2026, however there are a few steps to be completed prior. The current timeline is as below:

• Now - Incorporation of feedback from the consultation process
• August 2026 - Submitted to the Quality Assurance Body.
• September 2026 - Skills Ministers' endorsement & training products published.
• 2027 - RTOs expected to implement updated qualifications for new enrolments.

Yes, absolutely. Nationally endorsed qualifications remain valid regardless of when you completed them. Your Certificate III in Hairdressing or Barbering will be recognised by employers across Australia.

When new qualifications are endorsed, RTOs are given a teach-out period (typically 12 months) to complete enrolments under the old codes. Completed qualifications are never retrospectively invalidated. 

✅ If you have more than 12 months of study remaining, your school will work with you to transition you to the new qualification.

No - there's no reason to wait. The current qualifications are fully nationally accredited and widely recognised by employers right now. New qualifications won't be available for enrolment until 2027 at the earliest.

Waiting means missing 1–2 years of training time and income. Completing SHB30416 or SHB30516 now puts you in the industry faster, and if you need to transition, all of your skills and learning can be transferred, giving you credit in the new qualification.

No, SHB30516 is a stand-alone qualification and there is no requirement to complete SHB30416 prior to undertaking SHB30516.

If you hold the SHB30416 qualification, you can complete the SHB30516 by undertaking the additional barbering units. This enables qualified hairdressers to gain a qualification in barbering also. Some RTOs only offer SHB30516 this way, but most will offer each qualification as a standalone course.

All official project documents are published on the SaCSA website, including the Training Product Project Summary and the Public Consultation Strategy. Draft training products were available during the consultation period (October 2025 – February 2026).

Visit SaCSA for more information.

Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) - the government body responsible for keeping vocational qualifications current - identified that the existing SHB hairdressing and barbering qualifications no longer reflect the complexity, creativity, and commercial realities of modern salon and barbershop life. Industry stakeholders, educators, and apprentices all raised concerns that the requirements of the current qualification were not reflective of what employers actually need, contained significant duplication and onerous assessment requirements that took time away from skill development and acquisition.

SaCSA also identified that 41 units of competency across the 4 hairdressing and barbering qualifications are either superseded or deleted - a major housekeeping exercise signalling the entire training package is being actively modernised.

• 6 core units superseded and 1 elective unit deleted - Hairdressing

• 6 core units superseded and 1 elective unit deleted - Barbering

• 7 elective units and 1 core unit superseded in the Certificate IV

• 1 core unit deleted, 2 core units and 16 elective units superseded in the Diploma of Salon Management 

The primary focus qualifications are:

• SHB30416 – Certificate III in Hairdressing

• SHB30516 – Certificate III in Barbering

• SHB40216 – Certificate IV in Hairdressing

Also included (because it spans both sectors):

• SHB50216 – Diploma of Salon Management

As this is a major change, this project is expected to result in new qualification codes.

No. This was proposed in the first draft, but due to strong industry feedback SaCSA have revised this structure and will proceed with two separate qualifications.

The two qualifications will however share common core units of competency.

The review has three core goals:

1. Reduce duplication - overlapping units across hairdressing and barbering will be consolidated, while keeping essential repetition where competency requires it
2. Improve pathways - clearer progression from Cert III → Cert IV → Diploma, making career advancement easier to navigate
3. Enhance practical skills - sharper focus on foundational, job-ready skills from day one, replacing content that salons and barbershops say doesn't translate to real work.

Final unit changes are not yet confirmed (pending endorsement in September 2026), but based on the consultation and project summary, the updated SHB30416 is expected to:

• Remove unnecessary duplication across units.
• Tighten the elective structure to reduce inconsistency between RTOs
• Increase emphasis on client consultation, colour chemistry, and business fundamentals.
• Align technical standards more closely with what high-performing salons now expect.
• Introduction of Skill Sets - identified units of competency that can be offered collectively to provide recognised skills in a specific area.
• Increase emphasis on the ability to work with different hair texture and curl movement across all practical skills, and the introduction of elective units focusing specifically on these skills.
  

The barbering qualification is being reviewed with the same framework. Expected changes include:

• Removal of units that simply repeat content from the hairdressing qual without adding barbering-specific value.

• Greater focus on skin fades, beard work, straight razor techniques, and the commercial realities of modern barbershops.

Currently SHB30516 requires 26 units of competency. Whether that total changes will depend on the final endorsed structure.

The published date is September 2026, however there are a few steps to be completed prior. The current timeline is as below:

• Now - Incorporation of feedback from the consultation process
• August 2026 - Submitted to the Quality Assurance Body.
• September 2026 - Skills Ministers' endorsement & training products published.
• 2027 - RTOs expected to implement updated qualifications for new enrolments.

Right now, the most important action is staying informed and being prepared. Specific compliance obligations won't be confirmed until after endorsement (September 2026). However, to be ahead of the curve:

• Review SaCSA's product page and download the Public Consultation Strategy document.
• Subscribe to SaCSA's newsletter for updates.
• Audit your current training resources, assessment tools, and delivery materials against the draft units - identifying what will need to be updated or replaced before the teach-out period begins.
• Begin mapping your current scope of registration against the proposed changes.
• Plan for the 12-month teach-out period - you'll have time to transition enrolments.

🎯 We're actively monitoring the SaCSA interim report and tracking draft unit changes as they're released. We'll flag what needs updating in your resources before it becomes urgent - so you're not doing this alone.

All official project documents are published on the SaCSA website, including the Training Product Project Summary and the Public Consultation Strategy. Draft training products were available during the consultation period (October 2025 – February 2026).

Visit SaCSA for more information.

Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) - the government body responsible for keeping vocational qualifications current - identified that the existing SHB hairdressing and barbering qualifications no longer reflect the complexity, creativity, and commercial realities of modern salon and barbershop life. Industry stakeholders, educators, and apprentices all raised concerns that the requirements of the current qualification were not reflective of what employers actually need, contained significant duplication and onerous assessment requirements that took time away from skill development and acquisition.

SaCSA also identified that 41 units of competency across the 4 hairdressing and barbering qualifications are either superseded or deleted - a major housekeeping exercise signalling the entire training package is being actively modernised.

• 6 core units superseded and 1 elective unit deleted - Hairdressing

• 6 core units superseded and 1 elective unit deleted - Barbering

• 7 elective units and 1 core unit superseded in the Certificate IV

• 1 core unit deleted, 2 core units and 16 elective units superseded in the Diploma of Salon Management 

The primary focus qualifications are:

• SHB30416 – Certificate III in Hairdressing

• SHB30516 – Certificate III in Barbering

• SHB40216 – Certificate IV in Hairdressing

Also included (because it spans both sectors):

• SHB50216 – Diploma of Salon Management

As this is a major change, this project is expected to result in new qualification codes.

No. This was proposed in the first draft, but due to strong industry feedback SaCSA have revised this structure and will proceed with two separate qualifications.

The two qualifications will however share common core units of competency.

The review has three core goals:

1. Reduce duplication - overlapping units across hairdressing and barbering will be consolidated, while keeping essential repetition where competency requires it
2. Improve pathways - clearer progression from Cert III → Cert IV → Diploma, making career advancement easier to navigate
3. Enhance practical skills - sharper focus on foundational, job-ready skills from day one, replacing content that salons and barbershops say doesn't translate to real work.

No - and delaying would actually cost you more than it protects you.

Apprentices enrolled now will complete under the current SHB30416 or SHB30516, which is fully nationally accredited and recognised across the industry. These qualifications won't be superseded until at least September 2026, and RTOs have a 12-month teach-out period after that - meaning there's no cliff-edge for anyone currently in training.

Waiting until new qualifications are available in 2027 could mean losing 1-2 years of a trained team member in your business for no practical benefit. An apprentice who starts today will be training, embedded in your culture, and productive well before the new frameworks land.

The qualification review is about raising industry standards - not invalidating existing ones. Your investment in an apprentice right now is sound.

Final unit changes are not yet confirmed (pending endorsement in September 2026), but based on the consultation and project summary, the updated SHB30416 is expected to:

• Remove unnecessary duplication across units.
• Tighten the elective structure to reduce inconsistency between RTOs
• Increase emphasis on client consultation, colour chemistry, and business fundamentals.
• Align technical standards more closely with what high-performing salons now expect.
• Introduction of Skill Sets - identified units of competency that can be offered collectively to provide recognised skills in a specific area.
• Increase emphasis on the ability to work with different hair texture and curl movement across all practical skills, and the introduction of elective units focusing specifically on these skills.
  

The barbering qualification is being reviewed with the same framework. Expected changes include:

• Removal of units that simply repeat content from the hairdressing qual without adding barbering-specific value.

• Greater focus on skin fades, beard work, straight razor techniques, and the commercial realities of modern barbershops.

Currently SHB30516 requires 26 units of competency. Whether that total changes will depend on the final endorsed structure.

The published date is September 2026, however there are a few steps to be completed prior. The current timeline is as below:

• Now - Incorporation of feedback from the consultation process
• August 2026 - Submitted to the Quality Assurance Body.
• September 2026 - Skills Ministers' endorsement & training products published.
• 2027 - RTOs expected to implement updated qualifications for new enrolments.

All official project documents are published on the SaCSA website, including the Training Product Project Summary and the Public Consultation Strategy. Draft training products were available during the consultation period (October 2025 – February 2026).

Visit SaCSA for more information.