Barber
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Retention gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$46,200
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Cuts, trims, tapers, colours and shapes hair and facial hair styles, using clippers, razors, scissors and trimmers.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Consults with clients about their desired hair and facial hair styles
- Analyses clients' hair and features to design and recommend styles
- Trims, cuts and styles hair using clippers and scissors
- Shaves and styles facial hair using razors and trimmers
- Demonstrates and sells products for hair and facial hair
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 3
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Barbering
Occupation ready
Certificate II in Salon Assistant
Progression pathway
Diploma of Salon Management
Transferable skills
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
132
ACT · May 2026
11
VIC · May 2026
93
NT · May 2026
5
SA · May 2026
32
NSW · May 2026
126
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+1%
484 projected jobs
to 2035
+6%
3,636 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Barber.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Gold Coast
2,076 estimated employed
- 1
Gold Coast
2,076 employed
QLD
-15.44%
year on year
- 2
Perth - North West
1,853 employed
WA
+10.49%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - West
1,802 employed
VIC
-16.11%
year on year
- 4
Adelaide - North
1,745 employed
SA
+1.75%
year on year
- 5
Melbourne - South East
1,690 employed
VIC
-9.29%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
38,275
Moved in from another occupation
5,630
Moved to another occupation
5,690
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
2
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 392131
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.