Australia’s hairdressing industry is facing a major threat, with the Productivity Commission proposing to remove mandatory qualifications for hairdressers.

The Australian Hairdressing Council (AHC) has strongly opposed the move, warning it would compromise safety, skill standards, and the credibility of one of the nation’s most trusted professions.

“Hairdressers work every day with chemicals, electrical tools, and sharp instruments. Mandatory qualifications are not optional- they are essential to ensure safety, skill, and public confidence in our profession,” said AHC CEO Fiona Beamish.

The Council argues that removing qualifications would jeopardise workplace safety, suppress wages, undermine training pathways, and increase risks for both clients and businesses. It also warns of renewed vulnerabilities in migration and training, recalling the “cowboy training operations” that plagued the industry decades ago.

Beamish rejected suggestions that deregulation would lower costs for clients, noting that salon pricing already reflects rising expenses such as wages, rent, and insurance.

During the pandemic, Australians experienced the impact of losing access to their hairdresser- from mental health to self-confidence- underscoring the profession’s value beyond aesthetics.

The AHC is urging government to uphold qualifications, protect industry standards, and respect the role hairdressers play in community wellbeing.