This information is only relevant to employers and employees in the WA state industrial relations system.

There will be major changes to the state Hairdressers Award later in 2024, as this WA award is being updated by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC).  

In mid-June 2024 the WAIRC issued an Order, which has not yet commenced, to vary the provisions of the award. Key changes are outlined below.

It is anticipated that the scope of the Hairdressers Award will also be varied to extend coverage of the award to the beauty industry. To reflect this change, the award will be renamed the Hair and Beauty Industry (WA) Award.

The WAIRC will set a commencement date for the changes to award provisions and to the coverage of the award at a future time. 

The changes apply to employers and employees in the state industrial relations system.

Updates to award provisions

The key changes to the provisions of the Hairdressers Award / 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.

Expansion of coverage of the award to the beauty industry

The award will apply to all employers and employees in the “hair and beauty industry” as the coverage of the award will be significantly expanded.

The hair and beauty industry will be 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 Upcoming changes to the Hairdressers Award publication provides a detailed overview of the updates to the award provisions which will come into effect later in 2024.

The current WA award summary for the Hairdressers Award outlines the conditions that apply until the new changes come into effect.

Subscribe to Wageline News and follow us on social media to stay updated on the commencement of these changes.