Key details
Duration
This program is delivered over a period of twelve (12) months full-time face-to-face. The length of time to complete this qualification will depend on the location, study mode and selected units.
Student Visa holders must study internally full time
Intake
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsOverview
This qualification reflects the role of hairdressers who use a range of well-developed sales, consultation and technical skills and knowledge to provide a broad range of hairdressing services to clients.
Career opportunities
Occupations relevant to this qualification include:
>Senior hairdresser
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Skill recognition
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL is the acknowledgement of a person's skills and knowledge acquired through previous training, work or life experience, which may be used to grant status or credit in a subject regardless of how and where they were attained, including overseas.This can include skills from:
- Previous study excluding courses at another VET/TAFE institution, but including courses at school or college, through adult education classes or training programs at work;
- Work experience (including both work that is paid and unpaid); and/or
- Life experience (for example leisure pursuits or voluntary work).
RPL is a form of assessment. It is used to determine whether a person has acquired, through formal or informal learning, the skills and experience consistent with the stated competency standards that comprise a qualification. RPL is not time referenced, so there are no parameters on how or when the skills are acquired. However, the skills that have been acquired through life experience etc., must be current and must match the elements and performance criteria contained in the individual unit.
Students seeking RPL need to indicate this on their enrolment form at the time of enrolment.
For further information please refer to the Applicant's Guide to the Recognition of Prior Learning or contact Student Central on 1800 061 963 (free call) or email Student.Central@cdu.edu.au.
Credit Transfer
Charles Darwin University as a Registered Training Organisation recognises the Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications and Statement of Attainments issued by any other Australian Registered Training Organisation.
Students are encouraged to submit any requests for credit from previous studies at the time of enrolment, to ensure they are not enrolling in units they may not need to undertake.
In order to apply for exemption/credit transfer from units completed at another training organisation, you will need to complete an Application for Exemption Form available from any campus, centre, or team, or a copy of the form can be obtained from the web.
Your completed Application for Exemption form together with attached documentary evidence (certified copy of Qualification/Statement of Attainment) to support your request for exemption/credit transfer should be submitted directly to the University either in person or by mail. Requests without documentary evidence will not be processed and will be returned to students. There are no fees attached to Credit Transfers.
Pathways
VET to Higher Education Pathway Mapping for completed Awards in the same field or discipline.
Further training pathways from this qualification include but are not limited to SHB40216 Certificate IV in Hairdressing or another higher qualification from the SHB training package.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Skill recognition
Credit transfer, or advanced standing, is awarded based on previous relevant studies completed successfully within the past seven years.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process of advanced standing where credit is granted based upon the assessment of a student's prior formal, non-formal and informal learning (or a combination thereof) to determine the extent to which the student has achieved the required learning outcomes of a specified unit.
To apply for credit transfer or RPL, you must apply to study at CDU and submit the relevant supporting documents including:
- HE113 Application for Exemption Form (PDF, 216.84 KB)
- Official Academic Record (Academic transcript and award certificates)
- Unit outlines or syllabus matching time-frame of studies. Unit outlines must be specific to the teaching period in which the unit was undertaken and must include:
- aims/objectives
- learning outcomes
- assessment items
- resources required and institutional identifiers (web links are not accepted, these must be converted to PDF prior to submission)
Please make sure you submit all the required documents with your application to ensure processing time is reduced.
Fees
In 2023 this course is FREE for eligible students who receive an NT Domestic Supported place OR $15,150.00 for domestic full fee places.
Fees shown are indicative and subject to change annually. Actual course fees may vary depending on the units chosen. International non-student visa-holders; study eligibility needs to be verified before enrolment. Fees may vary depending on the visa type.
For further clarification and information on fees, payment options, instalment plans, and refunds, contact CDU on 1800 061 963 or refer to VET Fees and Payments.
International tuition Fees
The annual tuition fee for commencing students in 2023 is AUD $15,000.00.
These fees are subject to annual increases each year of your study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
International VET Package
Course information flyer(s)

Why study at CDU?
"Study with the Territory's largest Training provider and gain industry-ready skills and experience. Whether you're a high school student or a working professional, we've got the courses and qualifications you want plus the support and flexibility you need to succeed.
- Learn from expert lecturers and industry professionals
- Access to first-class facilities
- Recognition of prior learning to qualify faster"

Why study at CDU?
"Study with the Northern Territory's largest training provider and gain industry-ready skills and experience.
- Learn from expert lecturers and industry professionals
- Access to first-class facilities
- Recognition of prior learning accepted
- Packages into higher education available for most courses"

Why study at CDU?
"Study with the Territory's largest Training provider and gain industry-ready skills and experience. Whether you're a high school student or a working professional, we've got the courses and qualifications you want plus the support and flexibility you need to succeed.
- Learn from expert lecturers and industry professionals
- Access to first-class facilities
- Recognition of prior learning to qualify faster"

Why study at CDU?
"Study with the Northern Territory's largest training provider and gain industry-ready skills and experience.
- Learn from expert lecturers and industry professionals
- Access to first-class facilities
- Recognition of prior learning accepted
- Packages into higher education available for most courses"
What will I study?
To achieve SHB30416 Certificate III in Hairdressing a total of twenty-eight (28) units of competency must be completed comprising twenty-one (21) Core and seven (7) Elective units as detailed in the packaging rules and listed below. The electives offered may vary between campuses.
Course structure
The total Nominal Hours for the sequence listed below is 1010.
Code | Module/Unit of Competency | Hours |
CORE UNITS OF COMPETENCY | ||
BSBSUS201 | Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices | 20 |
SHBHBAS001 | Provide shampoo and basin services | 40 |
SHBHCLS002 | Colour and lighten hair | 65 |
SHBHCLS003 | Provide full and partial head highlighting treatments | 45 |
SHBHCLS004 | Neutralise unwanted colours and tones | 55 |
SHBHCLS005 | Provide on scalp full head and retouch bleach treatments | 55 |
SHBHCUT001 | Design haircut structures | 20 |
SHBHCUT002 | Create one length or solid haircut structures * | 30 |
SHBHCUT003 | Create graduated haircut structures * | 35 |
SHBHCUT004 | Create layered haircut structures * | 35 |
SHBHCUT005 | Cut hair using over-comb techniques * | 30 |
SHBHDES003 | Create finished hair designs | 50 |
SHBHIND001 | Maintain and organise tools, equipment and work areas | 20 |
SHBHIND003 | Develop and expand a client base | 35 |
SHBHREF002 | Straighten and relax hair with chemical treatments | 45 |
SHBHTRI001 | Identify and treat hair and scalp conditions | 25 |
SHBXCCS001 | Conduct salon financial transactions | 25 |
SHBXCCS002 | Provide salon services to clients | 40 |
SHBXIND001 | Comply with organisational requirements within a personal services environment | 45 |
SHBXIND002 | Communicate as part of a salon team | 30 |
SHBXWHS001 | Apply safe hygiene, health and work practices | 40 |
Total nominal hours for core units | 785 | |
ELECTIVE UNITS OF COMPETENCY | ||
GROUP A - GENERAL HAIRDRESSING | ||
SHBHCUT006 | Create combined haircut structures * | 45 |
SHBHCUT007 | Create combined traditional and classic men’s haircut structures * | 45 |
SHBHDES004 | Create classic long hair up-styles | 30 |
Total nominal hours for elective units | 120 | |
GROUP C - GENERAL ELECTIVES | ||
SHBHBAS002 | Provide head, neck and shoulder massages for relaxation | 20 |
SHBHCCS001 | Plan hair services for special events | 20 |
SHBHREF003 | Straighten and relax hair with protein treatments | 45 |
SHBXCCS004 | Recommend products and services | 20 |
Total nominal hours for elective units | 105 | |
Total nominal hours for the qualification | 1010 |
Units with a * have prerequisite unit(s) that must be completed prior.
PREREQUISITE | UNIT(s) |
SHBHCUT001 Design haircut structures | SHBHCUT002 Create one length or solid haircut structures SHBHCUT003 Create graduated haircut structures SHBHCUT004 Create layered haircut structures SHBHCUT005 Cut hair using over-comb techniques |
SHBHCUT002 Create one length or solid haircut structures | SHBCUT006 Create combined haircut structures
|
SHBHCUT002 Create one length or solid haircut structures | SHBCUT007 Create combined traditional and classic men’s haircut structures. |
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
There are no entry requirements for SHB30416 Certificate III in Hairdressing, however, the fulltime course is designed for applicants over the age of 21.
To ensure you have the right skills and support to succeed in your course, a Language, literacy and numeracy (LL&N) evaluation helps identify any areas where you may need additional support to help you achieve your goals.
Admission criteria
As part of the application process, it is important that you meet the minimum academic entry requirements. If you have any questions, please email the International team: international@cdu.edu.au. We look forward to helping you through the process of applying to study with us at CDU.
Programs | Entry requirements |
Certificate level programs | A qualification equivalent to Australian Year 10 |
Diploma and advanced diploma programs | A qualification equivalent to Australian Year 12 |
Essential requirements
English language requirements
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 5.5 with no band less than 5.0. |
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 165. |
Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | |
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 42 with no less than 36 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. |
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 46 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
All the lessons included theory and practical. We got to train with real clients in a busy environment and I got so much out of that.
Loan
CDU student

Hands-on practical lessons, experienced instructors, and all the resources that CDU provides will absolutely bring your skills and knowledge up to scratch–you won’t believe how much you’ll learn during the process.
Pat
CDU student
All the lessons included theory and practical. We got to train with real clients in a busy environment and I got so much out of that.
Loan
CDU student

Hands-on practical lessons, experienced instructors, and all the resources that CDU provides will absolutely bring your skills and knowledge up to scratch–you won’t believe how much you’ll learn during the process.
Pat
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This is a current, nationally accredited qualification from the SHB Hairdressing and Beauty Services Training Package.
Employability skills
Employability Skills are embedded in the training and assessment of national training package qualifications. Information on the Employability Skills relevant to your qualification can be obtained by visiting this website and keying in the national code for the qualification: training.gov.au
Location and study mode
Delivery at all locations is subject to sufficient demand and resources.
Locations: Alice Springs, Palmerston
Study Mode: On campus
This qualification is available to international students at Alice Springs and Palmerston campuses (CRICOS Course No. 094763A). Please refer to VET International for the course and fee information.
Additional information
Contact details
Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.au. Phone: 1800 061 963 (free call). |
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
How to apply
How to apply for domestic students
CDU TAFE has several pathways for you to apply.
Visit How to apply for CDU TAFE courses for more information.
Admission requirements for domestic students
Before applying, you may want to check if you meet the admission requirements for studying with CDU.
CDU has many pathways to study, so don't worry if you don't meet the admission requirements right now. There is a study pathway to get you started on your journey.
Not sure if you are a domestic or international student?
That's OK - it can be a little tricky to know the difference.
To help you out, we've put together a guide to answer any questions you might have.
How to apply for international students
Applications to CDU must be submitted online.
The process is simple, all you need is a valid email address to create your online account.
Once you have started the application you will have the option of saving your application and resuming it at a later date.
There is no application fee when you apply online.
Find a CDU agent partner
Applicants may seek further information about international education in Australia from the Australian Government Department of Education and Training or from our overseas / external representatives.
To help with the process, we've compile a list of authorised representatives.
Not sure if you are a domestic or international student?
That's OK - it can be a little tricky to know the difference.
To help you out, we've put together a guide to answer any questions you might have.
Things like the difference between domestic and international students or the difference between course types like TAFE and undergraduate.
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