Changes to the Hairdressers Award

Updated provisions now better reflect contemporary arrangements and many outdated and obsolete provisions have been removed to make it easier for employers and employees to understand and comply with the award.

The key changes to the award provisions in the Hair and Beauty Industry (WA) Award include:

• new classifications for hairdressing salon assistants and trainees (positions that are currently award free in the State industrial relations system);
• new classifications for beauty industry employees;
• changes to provisions dealing with paid and unpaid leave, notice of termination, and employers record keeping obligations to be consistent with relevant state and national laws that apply to employees in the state industrial relations system;
• updates to the hours of duty to enable ordinary hours to be worked on Sundays and weekday evenings (Monday to Friday), recognising that hairdressing salons can now trade at these times under the Retail Trading Hours Act 1987; and
• updates to definitions and re-organisation of the structure of the WA award so like clauses are grouped together under functional headings for ease of reference. 

The Changes to the Hairdressers Award (PDF, 257.91 KB) publication provides a detailed overview of the updates to the award provisions effective from 1 January 2025. 

The Hair and Beauty Industry (WA) Award applies to all employers and employees in the “hair and beauty industry”.

From 1 January 2025 employers in the state industrial relations system in the hair and beauty industry need to provide employees with the pay rates and employment conditions in the Hair and Beauty Industry (WA) Award.

The hair and beauty industry is defined as carrying out any of the following activities:

• hair cutting, hair dressing, hair trimming, hair curling, hair waving, shampooing, hair working, hair colouring or dying, chemical reformation and hair extensions
• shaving, beard trimming
• any other process or treatment of the hair, head or face carried out or performed in a hairdressing salon, including the sharpening or setting of razors
• wig-making
• facial or body waxing
• face or head massaging
• eyebrow waxing, eyebrow tinting, eyebrow arching, eyelash tinting, eyelash extending
• body hair removal including waxing chemical methods, electrolysis and laser hair removal
• manicures, pedicures, nail enhancement and nail artistry techniques
• make-up application, skin analysis, development of treatment plans, facial treatments including massage and other specialised treatments such as lymphatic drainage
• high frequency body treatments including full body massage and other specialised treatments using machinery and other cosmetic applications and techniques
• aromatherapy and the application of aromatic plant oils for beauty treatments
• using various types of electrical equipment for both body and facial treatments

The scope clause of the Award has also been updated to clarify that:

• the award applies to labour hire businesses and group training providers (and employees of those businesses), where the work would otherwise fall within the scope of the award;
• the award has effect with respect to employers who are connected to the State of Western Australia and their employees while performing work covered by it; and
• the award does not apply to employers and employers in the national industrial relations system.