INTERNATIONAL

Certificate III in Barbering

CRICOS Code: 094562K
National Code: SHB30516

2025 2026

Description

Kick start your career as a barber with this comprehensive hands-on course. You'll learn all about grooming techniques, head and face shaving, and maintaining beards and moustaches. Develop your technical knowledge and practical skills in all aspects of haircutting including solid, graduation, layering, and combination haircutting to achieve contemporary and classic styles. The strong focus on key barbering skills means you will be job-ready to join this exciting and creative industry.

Duration (incl. holidays)

Semester(s)

Teaching Duration

Print Course Page

78 weeks

60 weeks

International Applications

Campus / Location

Study Mode

Contact Hours

Study Load

Commences

Scheduled

Adelaide City

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

21 hours per week

Full Time

January, July

Apply Now

Icon Legend

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

Course Admission Requirements
(for International Applications)

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 Overall with minimum of 5.0 in all bands or equivalent.
Satisfactory completion of Year 10 or overseas equivalent .

Course Notes

International students will gain valuable practical experience working in the TAFE SA on-campus salon with fee paying clients during their studies.

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Tuition Fees

Incidental Fees^*

Semester 1

AUD $7326

AUD $1072^*

Semester 2

AUD $7327

Semester 3

AUD $7327

Fee Totals

AUD $21980

AUD $1072^*

Total Course Cost

AUD $23052

* International students will need to purchase a hairdressing kit containing essential equipment necessary for learning practical skills (approximate cost $A1072). Details will be provided upon commencement.

Note: TAFE SA course tuition and other fees/costs are subject to regular increases and are reviewed annually. TAFE SA accepts applications for courses commencing beyond the current year, course, tuition and other fees/costs for these years will apply once published. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to alter, amend or delete any fee, course, admission requirement, mode of delivery, duration or other arrangement without prior notice. If the study duration is extended beyond the period of the student’s visa the student will be liable for visa and related costs, eg medical examinations, OSHC and living expenses.

Overseas Students Health Cover

All overseas students are required to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) insurance for the entire duration of the course. The health cover rate will vary depending on the personal circumstances and duration of stay in Australia. Read more about Overseas Students Health Cover.

Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

Employment Outcomes

This qualification provides a pathway to work as a barber in the hairdressing or barbering industry, usually a barber shop or salon.

Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

Qualifications & Skills Covered

Certificate III in Barbering (SHB30516)
A strong focus on fundamentals in knowledge and practical skills in all haircutting forms in solid, graduation, layers and combination haircutting for current and traditional styles. Specialisation in barbering skills such as clipper and scissor over comb, tapering skills, WHS and sustainability. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 21 core units and 5 elective units.

90%*
of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.

87%*
of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.

* 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

Course Units

Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

Core

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Apply safe hygiene, health and work practices	40	BABRN	SHBXWHS001
Communicate as part of a salon team	30	BABTD	SHBXIND002
Comply with organisational requirements within a personal services environment	45	BABRM	SHBXIND001
Conduct salon financial transactions	25	BABRK	SHBXCCS001
Create combined traditional and classic mens haircut structures	45	BABSS	SHBHCUT007
Create graduated haircut structures	35	BABSN	SHBHCUT003
Create layered haircut structures	35	BABSP	SHBHCUT004
Create one length or solid haircut structures	30	BABSM	SHBHCUT002
Cut hair using freehand clipper techniques	25	BABST	SHBHCUT009
Cut hair using over-comb techniques	30	BABSR	SHBHCUT005
Design and maintain beards and moustaches	20	BABSW	SHBHCUT011
Design haircut structures	20	BABSL	SHBHCUT001
Develop and expand a client base	35	BABTB	SHBHIND003
Dry hair to shape	40	BABSZ	SHBHDES001
Identify and treat hair and scalp conditions	25	BABTC	SHBHTRI001
Maintain and organise tools, equipment and work areas	20	BABTA	SHBHIND001
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices	20	FABRL	BSBSUS201
Provide mens general grooming services	25	BABSY	SHBHCUT013
Provide salon services to clients	40	BABRL	SHBXCCS002
Provide shampoo and basin services	40	BABSK	SHBHBAS001
Shave heads and faces	25	BABSX	SHBHCUT012

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Create combined haircut structures	45	BABTF	SHBHCUT006
Receive and handle retail stock	35	SAAWD	SIRRINV001
Recommend products and services	20	BABTH	SHBXCCS004
Research and use hairdressing industry information	15	BABTG	SHBHIND002
Sell to the retail customer	20	SAAXE	SIRXSLS001

Living in Adelaide

The city created for students

You will never find another city like Adelaide. With welcoming locals, it is the perfect place for you to study, live and enjoy.

A student city

Adelaide is home to over 30,000 international students and has a strong and growing reputation as an education city. In addition to TAFE SA, Adelaide is home to six world-leading universities: The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Carnegie Mellon University, Torrens University Australia and CQ University Australia.

Safe

Adelaide’s crime rates are the lowest in the country and for that reason, Adelaide has previously been named the safest city in Australia.

Beach Culture

Adelaide’s pristine sandy beaches are just a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre. On hot summer days, you can study in the day and take the tram to have dinner at the beach and watch the sunset with friends.

Live centrally

Accommodation is more affordable in Adelaide than in other cities in Australia making it often possible for students to live in the heart of the city or just outside. This means more time is spent studying and less time travelling.

Delicious!

Adelaide is known for its cafe culture, with more cafes and restaurants by population than any other city in Australia. In recent years, Adelaide has also developed a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city is big enough that you will struggle to visit all of the places you would like to drink and eat in during in your first year of study. Our mix of cultures means there’s likely to be a supermarket that sells food from your home country too.

Easy to get around

Adelaide is a flat city so it is ideal for walking or cycling. Its grid layout makes it almost impossible to get lost! There are free trams and buses around the city centre. International students can show their ID to get cheaper tickets.

Festivals

Adelaide is known for its festivals, which are famous around the world. WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and Cabaret Festival are just some of the international arts and music festivals that keep the city buzzing

Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study

Adelaide is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. In 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel book ranked Adelaide in the global top ten. For the last four years Adelaide has been ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Beautiful weather

Adelaide has four distinct seasons, with moderate winters and warm to hot summers. In winter you will need woolly jumpers and jackets and in summer, shorts and t-shirts. The heat in South Australia is dry, rather than humid.