Join Australia's most supportive hair industry community
You have to be with the ahc.
Salon owners, barbers, solo operators, educators, and suppliers – everyone belongs here. Get the tools, support, and community to elevate your business and lead with confidence.
Find the membership that fits you best.
Start turning challenges into opportunities today. Join the AHC.
Salon or Barber Business with Staff
Get Salon Select accreditation, HR advice, resources, events, and a community of fellow salon leaders.
Solo
Operator
Connect with peers, access tools and advice, and keep your solo business thriving.
Franchise
Owner
Gain tailored guidance, tools, and peer insights to manage and grow multiple locations confidently.
Industry
Partner
Promote your products, access networking, and build relationships with salons and barbers.
Teacher
Influence future hair professionals, connect with peers, access professional development.
RTO / Training College
Influence curriculum, align with industry standards, and connect with the hairdressing community.
H.A.I.R. Membership
Free membership so you can proudly showcase your qualifications to your clients and community.
FAQs
Who can join the AHC?
The Australian Hairdressing Council has several types of memberships available for passionate hair, beauty, barbers and industry advocates:
SALONS BUSINESSES
If you employ, contract or rent chairs, then 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 eco-friendly practices. 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 run a professional compliant business to your local community. And without staff, you are eligible for SOS.
Single Owner Select (SOS) Membership
SOLO OWNER SELECT
If you are an independent stylist, a freelancer, solo operator with a compliant home business or perhaps in a rent-a-chair arrangement within another business, you are eligible for SOS. 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.
Associate Membership
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). Three levels of membership including member listing, the solopreneur business and company. AHC Associate Membership could open a whole new world for your business!
Franchise Membership
FRANCHISE / SALON GROUPS
A franchisor membership opens the door to a wealth of resources and support tailored to help you support your network, providing industry specific advice to be compliant, and current to the ever-changing business landscape. Franchisees can become a Salon Select member or opt for a HR advisory membership when the franchisor becomes a member. Salon groups of five or more salons come under this level of membership.
RTO Select Membership
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.
Teacher Membership
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.
What does the AHC do for the industry?
Small businesses require strong representation at all levels of Government, as well as to other organisations whose policies and decisions affect their industry.
The AHC is the voice of our industry with holistic representation covering skills and education, industrial and employment relations, immigration, and all small business matters. Our hairdressing industry needs credible representation at all levels of Government and the media. Our cause is to 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 undertakes extensive advocacy and lobbying, and ensures it is engaged and present at a Government level so that our industry is not overlooked when it comes to important decisions.
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 )
- Industrial reforms and changes affecting small businesses.
- Apprenticeships, Incentives and Employment.
- Federal and State Government engagement on the recovery of natural disasters and the pandemic.
- Creating a Case for Change, consulting with RTOs and Industry for a new Training Package for Hairdressing and Barbering.
What makes the Australian Hairdressing Council stand out from other associations? The difference with the AHC is that an industry person will respond to your query. Our team members are all hairdressers, business owners and/or educators, and have an understanding of what it’s like to stand in your shoes.
The hairdressing industry landscape has evolved over the last 10 years. The way many do business has changed, with the increase of solopreneurs, rent a chair operators, freelance stylists, contractors, studio and suite locations, and home business operators. With 95% of our industry being female, flexible work arrangements have become a necessity for many.
The AHC as an Association adapts to this changing landscape by understanding the needs for these business models. The AHC acts as a connection to these businesses to encourage inclusivity so that no business or individual feels isolated, but instead, supported.
The skills in our industry are reliant on employing and training apprentices and upskilling 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.
Who runs the AHC?
The Australian Hairdressing Council is a not-for-profit industry association. The affairs of the Council are controlled, managed by, or under the direction of the Board of Directors and bound by our Constitution, which governs a set of fundamental principles or established precedents that the AHC is run by.
How Much is AHC Membership?
Your best business investment
Just as there are several AHC membership types, there are also various membership prices, depending on what type of business yours is. All memberships are for a minimum of 12 months. Salon Select membership works out to be about the same as the investment in your daily cup of coffee, or less. Associate Memberships are available for solopreneurs and companies. For more information on pricing visit the Memberships page.
What Will I Get Out of My Membership?
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.
- 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.
Here’s what our members have to say…
“I love being part of a community of my peers and knowing we are all going through the same things.”
Why join RTO Select?
As an RTO Select member, you will gain access to the following:
- Recognition that your RTO is amongst the very best in Australia.
- Accreditation as an RTO Select member for promotion to industry and consumers as a quality provider of education.
- Valuable support, opportunity, insight and inspiration from our industry.
- Timely information on industry events and regulations.
- Access to seminars, speakers, business insight and creative education opportunities at AHC membership prices.
- Visibility of and communication, engagement and consultation with Industry with awareness of salon interests regarding Education and Training.
- Be well informed with correct and timely industry information
Liaise nationally with Industry via our private forums. - Opportunities for professional development via AHC seminars keeping abreast of change for record of currency and continuous improvement.
- Ability to participate in a broad forum with owners, hairdressers and other teachers in a support network of peers.
- Access to resources for educational delivery and teacher interest area.