What you need to know about working as a hairdresser in australia

For decades the Australian government has been on a mission to address a significant skills gap in the country’s economy. 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’ were roles listed on the Australian government’s Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (C-SOL), a comprehensive list of jobs that are in demand in the country. The list detailed positions where a migrant worker can be sponsored by an Australian employer to move down under, walking straight into a job on arrival. However, that list was replaced (in April 2017) by a new Combined current list of eligible skilled occupations. Sadly, while hairdressers are on the new list, hairdressing and beauty salon managers have been removed as part of the process which condensed the list from 651 to 435 occupations, with 216 occupations removed. This list will be updated by the Australian government every six months. Again, migrant workers suitable for positions on the old C-SOL list used to be able to apply for a 457 Temporary Work (skilled) visa, which linked a migrant worker to a sponsoring business that meets a number of criteria set out by the Australian government. But this too has been replaced (from March 2018) with a new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. What are employers looking for? To get a TSS you’ll need to have at least two years’ work experience in your skilled occupation; the sector will need to pass a non-discriminatory workforce test to ensure employers are not actively discriminating against Australian workers; and employers will need to pay a contribution to the Skilling Australians Fund. For those seeking permanent, not temporary work, they’ll have to meet the government’s English language requirements; have at least three years’ work experience; be under the maximum age requirement of 45 at the time of application, (unless exemptions apply); be paid the Australian market salary rate and meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)2; and the employer must pay a contribution to the Skilling Australians Fund. In essence, when looking for potential overseas workers, sponsors will be 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. For more details on visas and working in Australia click here  This article was written by business and legal expert Adam Bernstein, for more information on Adam's work click here