Before you start a hairdressing apprenticeship, the first question is usually simple: what’s the pay actually like? Here’s the plain-English version for 2026.
Which award covers you?
Most hairdressing apprentices are covered by the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2020 (award code MA000005). A Modern Award is the legal document that sets minimum pay and conditions for the industry — it’s what guarantees a legal floor on your wage, no matter who employs you. If your salon has a registered enterprise agreement (EBA), your pay may come from that instead.
How apprentice pay is worked out
Hairdressing apprentice wages are a percentage of the qualified hairdresser’s rate, stepping up over the (usually three-year) apprenticeship. The award actually runs separate rate tables depending on whether you’ve completed Year 12 or not, so two apprentices in the same year of training can be on different minimums. As an indicative guide only, the percentage starts lower in year one and climbs toward the full rate by the end — exact figures are published by the Fair Work Ombudsman and usually change on 1 July each year, so we point you to the source rather than quote a number that can go stale.
Year 12 and adult apprentices
If you’ve completed Year 12, you’re generally entitled to a higher starting percentage than someone who left school earlier. And if you start as an adult apprentice (generally 21+) — common in hairdressing for career-changers — you’re usually entitled to a higher minimum than a school-leaver. Worth confirming both before you sign your training contract.
What else you get paid
- Tool and kit allowances in some salons (though many apprentices build their own kit over time)
- Penalty rates for late-night trading, weekends and public holidays — common in hairdressing rosters
- Superannuation on top of your wage
- Paid time to attend TAFE in most arrangements
How to check your correct rate
Don’t rely on a mate’s guess or a random figure (including this one). Use the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Calculator at fairwork.gov.au — enter your award, apprentice year, age and Year 12 status and it returns the current legal minimum. If your pay doesn’t add up, Fair Work has a free helpline and can look into underpayment.
The bottom line
A hairdressing apprenticeship means a few years on lower pay in exchange for a recognised qualification and a trade you can take almost anywhere. Your wage climbs each year, and Year 12 completion or adult apprentice status can lift your starting point. Know how the percentages work and check them against the correct award so you start on the right money.
General information only — not financial or legal advice. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman and your award for exact rates.
Get one email a week with the stuff that actually matters — entitlement changes, pay updates, and the guides tradies actually bookmark. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.