Barber job description

Most qualified barbers hold a Certificate III in Hairdressing or a barbering equivalent, along with working rights in Australia. Where razor or cut-throat shaves are offered, skin-penetration or infection-control training is often required by local regulations. Apprentices can be hired while they work toward the Certificate III.

Yes. Apprentices work toward their Certificate III in Hairdressing while employed, and are paid apprentice rates under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award that increase as they progress. Taking on apprentices is a common way to build a pipeline of qualified barbers for your shop.

For qualified roles, mandatory requirements should include a Certificate III in Hairdressing (or barbering equivalent) and working rights in Australia. Preferred qualifications typically include cut-throat or razor shave experience, infection-control training and first aid certification. Avoid over-qualifying junior positions as it limits your candidate pool.

Where a barbershop offers cut-throat or razor shaves, many local councils and health regulations require skin-penetration or infection-control training and strict sterilisation of blades and equipment. Requirements vary by state and local government area, so confirm the rules that apply to your location before offering razor services.

This depends on your trading pattern. Casual barbers offer flexibility for variable demand but come with a 25% casual loading — a Level 3 casual is around $36.81 per hour. Permanent part-time staff provide consistency and may improve retention. Many shops use a mix of permanent staff for core shifts and casuals for busy Saturdays.

Under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award, Saturday work is paid at 133% (158% for casuals), Sunday at 200% (225% for casuals) and public holidays at 250%. Overtime is generally 150% for the first hours and 200% thereafter. Use award interpretation software to calculate rates accurately.

A barber’s shift cost depends on their level, employment type and whether penalty rates apply. A qualified Level 3 barber earns around $29.45 per hour full-time, rising with Saturday, Sunday and public holiday penalties. Estimate a specific shift with the shift cost calculator and the overtime and penalty rate calculator.

Key elements include the position title and classification level, employment type (casual, part-time or full-time), hourly rate, the applicable award, reporting structure, main duties, work location and required qualifications. For casuals, include the casual loading percentage. Use our digital employment contracts to simplify this process.

Under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award, rosters should be provided in advance and changes generally require employee agreement unless due to unforeseen circumstances. Using rostering software helps ensure compliance and gives your team visibility of their upcoming shifts.

Barbershops are busiest on Saturdays and late-night trading days, so plan chairs against expected demand and factor in higher penalty rates. Our roster hairdressing staff guide walks through building cost-effective rosters, and rostering software makes it quick to adjust.

Under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award, employees working longer shifts are entitled to meal and rest breaks. Confirm the specific break entitlements that apply to shift length in the award, and use rostering tools to schedule breaks and stay compliant.

Collect availability preferences during onboarding and update them regularly. Use staff availability management tools to track when each barber can work, set clear policies about minimum availability and how to request changes, and follow our guide on how to manage staff availability.