Memberships

SALONS WITH STAFF

If you have up to four salons and you employ staff, Salon Select membership is for you. Salons that join the AHC are known as ‘Salon Select’. Membership starts at Red status, then via an accreditation process your business can become Silver or Gold Salon Select, depending on which standards your salon business meets. Green Salon Select status is also available for salons with high eco-friendly practices in place. Accreditation from an industry association says that you are a reputable and quality salon. AHC Salon Select membership is the perfect vehicle to promote that you are a sound and compliant business to your local community.

SOLO OPERATORS

If you are a freelancer, solo operator, hairdresser with a compliant home business or perhaps in a rent-a-chair arrangement, you are not alone! We welcome you to join our community of salons, suppliers, educators and creatives all working together to ensure that the Australian hairdressing industry remains a worldwide leader in our craft.

ALLIED INDUSTRY BUSINESSES

The AHC has a wide spectrum of businesses that enjoy the benefits of being an Associate Member by connecting with thousands of salons around Australia to promote their product or service. These range from salon supplies (furniture, products, tools, food and beverage, uniforms, software companies and many more) through to allied services (marketing, photography, business coaches, educators, PR and creative agencies to name a few). For a moderate annual fee, AHC Associate Membership could open a whole new world for your business!

FRANCHISE / MULTI-SALON GROUPS

Franchises and groups of five or more salons come under this level of membership. The AHC has developed a unique 5-Star Gold Salon Select Program specifically for this market segment and identifies as having operational systems and professional standards in place across their organisations. As such, these salons progress to a fast track for Gold Salon Select assessment.

REGISTERED TRAINING ORGANISATIONS

This is for Registered Training Organisations, both private and public. Connect with salon employers, other RTOs, educators, government and industry players who influence future directions in the Training Package reviews, assessment strategies and education. Take advantage of direct access to the latest industry news, resources and invaluable connections.

EMPLOYEES - COMING SOON

This exciting new program helps salon owners and employees work together towards one goal… success, happiness, confidence and financial security. For a moderate membership price, gain access to a wide range of useful tips, education, guides, videos, podcasts, interview and a whole heap more to support you in your career and your life. Be inspired and educated creatively, personally, holistically and practically to be the best you can be and take your career to new heights.

TEACHERS

If you are a teacher at a private college or TAFE, you are also welcome at the AHC. For a very moderate annual fee, you can keep abreast of the latest developments in the world of Education and Training and have your say with key industry players on vital plans for the future of your students. Network with likeminded associates and have access to valuable resources and news.

Small businesses require strong representation at all levels of Government, as well as to other organisations whose policies and actions affect their industry.

The AHC is the voice of our industry with holistic representation covering education, industrial relations and employment and all small business matters. Our hairdressing industry needs credible representation at all levels of Government, the media, as well as to other organisations whose policies and actions affect our industry. Our cause is to protect and support all stakeholders for the betterment of the industry.

The AHC is also a proud member and contributor to COSBOA, Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia.

The AHC advocacy and lobbying is active and present at a Government level. Our industry can be dismissed by bureaucrats and public servants and our role is to ensure we are not overlooked.

We are active in the lobbying and consultancy space including the following:

• Keeping hairdressing on the Skills Migration List,
• Feedback on Vocation and Education and Training Reform ( VET )
• IR Reform, including simplifying the Hair & Beauty Award
• Apprenticeships, Incentives and Employment
• Federal and State Government engagement on the recovery of small businesses on the effect of the 2020 drought, bushfires, floods and the pandemic.
• Creating a Case for Change consulting with RTOs and Industry for a new Training Package for Hairdressing and Barbering.

The AHC supports businesses who invest in the future of our industry training our future stylists and barbers, via apprenticeships or self-funded courses. Our programs, resources and employment advice help business owners who are too busy working in their business to source the information they need to access to successfully run their salons. Pathway Connect is our AHC program designed to support employees to be happy and successful in their hairdressing career.

The difference with the Australian Hairdressing Council is an industry person will respond to a query. Our facilitators and office are all hairdressers, have been business owners, educators and have an understanding of what it’s like to stand in your shoes.

With the challenges in finding staff the AHC developed a recruitment platform, Headhunter Recruitment Australia, an industry specific platform to engage future employees with salons advertising for receptionists, managers, coordinators, apprentices and qualified stylists.

The hairdressing industry landscape has changed over the last 10 years. The way many do business has changed with the increase of sole operators, rent a chair operators, freelance stylists, contractors, studio and suite locations and home business operators.

 The AHC as an Association adapts to this changing landscape by understanding the needs for these business models. With 95% of our industry being female, flexible work arrangements have become a necessity for many. The AHC acts as a connection to these businesses to encourage inclusivity so that no business or individual feels isolated, but supported.

The future of the Australian hairdressing industry is reliant on hairdressing being seen as a career of choice. We aim to educate and inform careers advisors, parents and individuals on the countless opportunities in a career of hairdressing or barbering.

The skills in our industry are reliant on employing and training apprentices and up skilling our industry as well as sponsored migrants bringing in unique skills, Change is permanent in hairdressing and barbering. The most successful stylists never stop learning and never stop educating.

Payleadr handles all AHC membership payments. Payleadr is an Australian owned and operated company that has been established by a team of passionate payments and software industry experts possessing more than 30 years combined payment experience. Payleadr is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and holds an Australian Financials Services License (501914) enabling them to issue non-cash payments products. It sounds cliché, but we’re serious about security. Very serious. And so is Payleadr. All data is handled in accordance with their privacy policy and all traffic on the Payleadr site and platform is encrypted via SSL, meaning they encrypt and decrypt date sent over the internet.

Memberships can be paid by direct debit from an Australian bank account, Visa or MasterCard debit card or a Visa or MasterCard credit card. The Payleadr platform offers the ability to pay for your AHC membership in annual, six-monthly, quarterly, monthly, four weekly, fortnightly or weekly instalments. Annual payments receive a 10% discount on the annual AHC membership fee (Salon Select membership only). PayPal is not available on the Payleadr platform.

Make sure your accountant has your payment receipt so you can claim it back at tax time.

The AHC understands that all business owners need to be informed and supported with industry changes or employee advice. Salon owners join the AHC as ‘Salon Select’ members and gain access to the following, plus so much more:

• Specialised Workplace Advisory Team advising on all employment and Award queries
• Over 400 resources covering crucial operational information including pay tables and IR changes
• Employee management ideas and templates
• Policies and Procedures covering your salon culture
• Valuable support, opportunity, insight and inspiration in many areas as you forge ahead in your business
• A support network of industry peers at your fingertips via a 24/7 online forum
• Consumer recognition that your salon is amongst the very best in Australia
• Accreditation as a GOLD or SILVER Salon Select salon, as well as GREEN accreditation for eco-friendly salon warriors
• Access to seminars, speakers, business insight and creative education opportunities at discounted AHC membership prices
• Peace of mind that you are part of a community of likeminded business owners that will support and help you throughout your business journey.