Hair and Beauty Industry Award — free pay & rights calculator 2026 | Expert Zoom

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the minimum pay rates under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010?

  The Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010 (MA000005) sets minimum hourly rates by classification grade. From 1 July 2025, the indicative rates range from AUD $24.10/hr for Grade 1 (introductory employees with no qualifications) up to AUD $34.30/hr for Grade 6 (salon managers and educators). Qualified hairdressers and beauty therapists in their first year (Grade 2) receive approximately AUD $26.25/hr. Always verify current rates at fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Ombudsman on 1300 724 690.

• How much redundancy pay am I entitled to under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award?

  The Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010 does not provide enhanced redundancy above the National Employment Standards (NES). Under the Fair Work Act 2009, Schedule 4, genuine redundancy pay ranges from 4 weeks' pay (1 year of service) to a cap of 12 weeks' pay (10+ years). Most hair and beauty salons employ fewer than 15 people, which means they qualify as small businesses and are exempt from NES redundancy pay requirements, though they must still give correct notice.

• How many days annual leave do hairdressers and beauty therapists get?

  Full-time hairdressers and beauty therapists are entitled to 4 weeks (20 days) of paid annual leave per year under the NES. The Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010 provides an annual leave loading of 17.5% on top of the ordinary rate when leave is taken. Shiftworkers who regularly work Sundays and public holidays for 5 or more consecutive hours per shift are entitled to 5 weeks' annual leave.

• What is the notice period under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010?

  The Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010 does not specify notice periods beyond the National Employment Standards (NES). Under Fair Work Act 2009 s.117, the minimum notice is: less than 1 year — 1 week; 1–3 years — 2 weeks; 3–5 years — 3 weeks; 5+ years — 4 weeks. Employees aged over 45 with 2 or more years of service receive an additional 1 week on top of the applicable period.

• How much superannuation does my employer have to pay?

  From 1 July 2025, employers must pay a Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate of 12% of your ordinary time earnings under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992. This is an employer contribution paid on top of your salary — it is not deducted from your wages. Employees can choose their own super fund under Fair Work Act 2009 s.149A.

• Does the Hair and Beauty Industry Award provide casual loading?

  Yes. Casual employees under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010 receive a 25% casual loading on top of their ordinary hourly rate, in lieu of paid leave entitlements (such as annual leave and personal leave). This loading applies to all hours worked, including work on weekends, public holidays and evenings, and is added before penalty rate multipliers are applied.

• What penalty rates apply on weekends and public holidays?

  Under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010, Saturday work is paid at 125% of the ordinary rate, Sunday work at 175%, and public holiday work at 250%. Evening work on weekdays after 6 pm is paid at 115%. Casual employees receive these penalty rates on top of their 25% casual loading.

• What is the minimum wage for a first-year apprentice hairdresser?

  Apprentice hairdressers are paid a percentage of the qualified Grade 3 rate: Year 1 apprentices receive 40% of the Grade 3 rate, Year 2 receives 50%, Year 3 receives 65%, and Year 4 receives 80%. These rates are set in Schedule B of the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010. Verify current apprentice rates with the Fair Work Ombudsman.

• Who is covered by the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010?

  The Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010 (MA000005) covers employees whose employer's principal business is hairdressing or beauty therapy. This includes hairdressers, barbers, beauty therapists, nail technicians, cosmetic tattoo artists, lash technicians, electrologists, salon assistants, and receptionists working in hair salons, barber shops, beauty studios, nail salons, and related businesses across Australia.

• What long service leave am I entitled to as a hairdresser in Australia?

  Long service leave entitlements for hairdressers and beauty therapists are governed by state and territory legislation, not the Hair and Beauty Industry Award. Entitlements vary: Victoria and ACT require 7 years' service for 6.067 weeks' leave; NSW, QLD, WA and Tasmania require 10 years for 8.667 weeks; SA and NT require 10 years for 13 weeks. Use the Long Service Leave tab in the calculator above to estimate your entitlement by state.