Working As A Hairdresser In Australia: Need To Know

For decades the Australian government has been on a mission to address a significant skills gap in the country’s economy, says Leanne Short. Welcoming overseas workers with the necessary knowledge, experience and ability to bolster the workforce and train the next generation. Alongside sectors as diverse as construction, healthcare and professional services, hairdressing is listed as one of the professions where workers from overseas are being actively recruited.

Why hairdressers?

As Australia’s population increases, so too does the country’s service sector – resulting in an increased demand for the skills needed to meet the population’s needs. British stylists plying their trade in Australia isn’t a new idea, and for a number of years we’ve seen quality, experienced hairdressers use their professional skills as a ticket to head out to Australia. However, the majority travel on working holiday visas, which means they tend not to stay long and leave salons unable to retain staff, further exacerbating the skills shortage. Continuity of service from well trained, ­likeable staff is vital to the long-term success of a salon, and the inability of Australian businesses to retain senior staff from overseas results in an unwanted turnover of customers. 

How can British hairdressers stay long term?

Both ‘hair salon manager’ and ‘hairdresser’ are roles listed on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (C-SOL), a comprehensive list of jobs that are in demand in Australia. The list details positions where a migrant worker can be sponsored by an Australian employer to move Down Under, walking straight into a job on arrival. Migrant workers suitable for positions on the C-SOL list need to apply for a 457 Temporary Work (skilled) visa, which links a migrant worker to a sponsoring business that meets a number of criteria set out by the Australian government. In order to achieve a Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS), businesses must offer overseas workers the same pay and basic rights that domestic workers doing the same job would receive. Australian salons are increasingly finding themselves in a position to meet the SBS criteria, and so are more open to sponsoring overseas workers. 

What are employers looking for?

When looking for potential overseas workers, sponsors are looking for senior stylists with many years of experience. Training qualifications, in particular PTLLS or A1 assessor qualifications, are especially attractive, as they show that a worker has the necessary skills to bring on the next generation of hairdressers. The visa allows holders to stay and work for up to four years, and also offers a pathway to achieving permanent residency. After two years continuous service for an employer, 457 visa holders will be eligible to apply for permanent residency. 

Leanne Short is the UK recruitment and ­migration manager for ISA Group, one of Australia’s leading immigration and overseas recruitment specialists.