workplace laws

At HSA we know the best salons to work in are where the boss and staff are able to work together. That’s why we created the Ethical Salons initiative, to celebrate and recognise those owners who are doing right by their staff, and to give them support where they need it. So what does it […]

Summer is here and Christmas is around the corner, which means holidays! 🏖 While it’s the busiest time of year for most salons, you need to make sure you get a break too! Your employer is not obliged to accept every leave request, but they must not unreasonably refuse to agree to a request for […]

There’s one thing every trained hair stylist has in common – they started their career as an apprentice. Ripping tinfoil, sweeping floors and manning the basin is all in a day’s work. But when something goes wrong, who do you turn to? Ruby-Rose, an HSA ambassador, has come forward with her apprenticeship story, and why […]

If you’ve ever had what seems like a rash on your hands from working in the salon, you’re part of the majority. 61% of practicing hair stylists and 59% of hairdressing students have experienced a skin problem on their hands – generally contact dermatitis – during their career. Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when your skin […]

(Content Warning: This story discusses sexual harassment and sexual assault. If the story is upsetting, we advise you stop reading immediately and reach out to a member of your support team) Did you know that 70% of Australian workers have suffered sexual harassment at some point in their working lives? It’s something that affects the […]

HSA is pleased to announce that we’re launching our first-ever industry survey to get a better view of hair and beauty across Australia, and help focus our campaigns on the issues that matter most to our members and followers. Some of the key questions we want to ask you are: Does your pay match up […]

Many hair stylists have to struggle through difficult working conditions — bullying from other clients or employers, long hours, or a hectic schedule. But what can you do when it feels like your own body is making it impossible to work? HSA ambassador Nicole has shared her story, detailing a lifetime of hair styling. She […]

On Monday, August 26, HSA members, ambassadors, and other hairstylists took to the street outside the Fair Work Commission to protest the penalty rate hearing. It was a big step for the HSA, our first public event as a union, and we had a fantastic turnout. We also had support from the ETU, the SDA, […]

The Fair Work Ombudsman is set to audit 1600 hair and beauty salons across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, after it was revealed that over half of the industry is not complying with current workplace regulations. Acting Fair Work Ombudsman Michael Campbell said the campaign would take 12 months to complete. “The retail, hair and […]

Earlier this month, the NSW Government announced a proposal to remove the requirement for hair stylists to have a Certificate III qualification to work. This would have meant that anyone would be able to call themselves a hair stylist and open a salon. We know that there’s more to hairdressing just cutting hair, and hair […]