What Hair Stylists need to know about Superannuation

HSA wins more overtime pay for permanent stylists!

If you’re a permanent part-time or full-time stylist, this might affect your pay!

Your Christmas 2021 Public Holidays

5 FREE mental health services you can access right now

We’ve put together a list of all the free mental health services available right now. All of these services are managed and created by trained professionals and use evidence-based treatment and support.

HSA secures huge pay rise for casual stylists

Casually employed hair stylists are set to receive a solid pay rise for working weekends after HSA, the SDA, and industry group Hair and Beauty Australia (HABA) reached an agreement that will now go to the Fair Work Commission.

COVID-19 Financial support: 2021

With a renewed outbreak spreading across Australia, State and Federal Governments have released a number of financial support packages to help us through lockdowns and business closures.

5 types of Wage Theft

Wage theft is unfortunately super common in the Hair and Beauty Industry. In fact, a Fair Work Ombudsman (or FWO) investigation into hair and beauty salons in WA found 48% were ‘non-compliant’ – meaning workers were underpaid.

Hair stylists told to wait in line for next national pay rise

Hair stylists have been sent to the back of the queue again with their latest national pay rise delayed until November.

Moving on: Emily’s Story

Finishing your apprenticeship is a huge step in your career as a hair stylist. But what do you do if you’re being held back? Today, we’re talking to Emily*, who with the help of HSA took matters into her own hands when her employer refused to sign her off. 

Mental heath: Let’s give hair stylists ALL the tools we need to do our jobs!

HSA will be working with the appropriate industry authorities to push for understanding mental health training to be included in hair and beauty apprenticeships and training.

HSA submits evidence in Casual Loading case

HSA has officially submitted its evidence to the Fair Work Commission to try and secure fair pay for casual workers.

HSA Breaks down new laws for casual workers

On 27 March 2021, the Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2021 (“FW Amendment Act”) commenced operating.

“You could come to my room and I’d lock you in” Hair stylist shares her story

Many hair stylists are subject to unacceptable levels of bullying and harassment, and often feel as though there is no support when they need help.

Taking care of your mental health at work

Today, we’re looking at the common ‘mental hazards’ in a salon, and what you can do to assert your legal right to a mentally safe workplace.

How to recognise burnout – and what to do if you have it

What are the main signs of burnout, and what can you do if you’re experiencing them?

Mythbusting Paid Parental Leave

There’s a lot of misinformation and confusion around paid parental leave and your employer’s role in the scheme, so let’s bust some of the most common myths we see at HSA!

We Answer your Questions on Parental Leave

We want to make sure you’re fully aware of your rights when it comes to parental leave, and what you need to do.

3 things to look out for in a flat-rate contract

If you’re on the lookout for a new gig, or your current job has a flat-rate contract, here are three things you NEED to be aware of!

What you need to know about contracts and sole traders

A lot of sole traders fall victim to ‘Sham Contracting’ under Rent-A-Chair agreements. This is a big problem in heaps of industries across Australia

How one stylist tackled workplace bullying

Recently we chatted with HSA Ambassador Lily about the bullying that happened in her workplace, and the steps she took to try and stop it.

Time to rebuild: Nicole’s open letter to the industry

As a hair stylist, it can feel like we’re taking care of everyone EXCEPT ourselves. From day one of our apprenticeship, many of us are thrown in head-first into the industry, and it feels like we never get the chance to just slow down. Our HSA ambassador, Nicole, has been the industry for over thirty… View Article

New Beginnings: Jess shares her apprenticeship story

What do you do if you’re in an apprenticeship, but falling behind? We recently spoke to Jess, who managed to turn her difficult apprenticeship around with the help of HSA.

5 ways to fight workplace bullying

How can we actually stop bullying in the workplace, if we see it or if it happens to us?

New research tackles the emotional labour of hair styling

We’re extremely proud to support a new research initiative that’s come out of the University of Melbourne – the Beyond Skin-Deep Project.

How to identify a bully in your salon

At HSA, we’re on a mission to end workplace bullying and to change the culture in our industry, and today we’re going to talk about how you can identify bullying in your salon.

Staying safe as a barber in COVID-19

Has anyone been overloaded with info on how to operate safely, but isn’t really sure how it works on the salon floor?

4 Facts About Long Service Leave

Did you know Australia is one of the only countries in the world that offers long service leave? If you’re a veteran at your salon, these are the facts you need to know!

5 signs you’re stuck in a toxic workplace

Have you ever had that feeling where you just feel sick going into work? You’re already bracing yourself for the drama and stress before you’ve even walked in the door, and you think, why is it like this? Unfortunately, 48% of Australian workers think their workplace has a negative impact on their mental health. A… View Article

HSA supports the National Breast Cancer Foundation

This June, HSA is supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s campaign to GO PINK. Our team of members, ambassadors and officials have pledged to WEAR IT, SHAVE IT and COLOUR IT to raise funds for live-saving research into early detection and preventative treatments for breast cancer.

Making Dreams a reality – Rachael’s Story

HSA Ambassador Rachael is on a mission to make that dream she was sold as a teenager a reality for future generations of hair stylists.

How one salon stayed open during COVID-19

For HSA Ambassador Vanessa, the danger really hit home when two cases were confirmed in her small Queensland town.

Staying open in COVID-19 – Pranel’s Story

We caught up with Pranel, who has remained open throughout the crisis, to talk about how he’s working under the current guidelines, and the impact it’s had on him and his clients.

Standing up: what to do if you aren’t respected

With all the different rules and restrictions, stand-downs and closures across the industry, we’re seeing a number of employers who aren’t doing the right thing and withholding pay or entitlements from their workers. If you’re concerned that you’re not receiving everything you’re owed, what can you do?

What you need to know about withdrawing superannuation early

We understand the COVID-19 pandemic has put a lot of people under financial stress, and you may be struggling to pay for basic necessities. HSA asks you to think really carefully about whether or not you want to do this, and we want to make sure you understand the impact that this will have on your retirement.

The COVID-19 wage subsidy explained

A lot of workers are asking questions, and at HSA, we want to get the facts straight. Here’s what you need to know about this new subsidy – and if you’re covered.

HSA launches casual pay equity campaign at International Women’s Day

HSA have officially launched their new campaign, aimed at pay equity for casual workers in the hair and beauty industry.

Fighting Bullying with HSA – Adrienne shares her story

Adrienne is sharing her experience to help others starting out in the industry can find where to go for support.

5 Things you need to know about salon rent-a-chairs

HSA sat down with our ambassador, Nicole, who’s been in the rent-a-chair game and knows what to look out for – and what to avoid.

HSA wins penalty rates case with FWC!

In a massive win for HSA, the Fair Work Commission has rejected Hair and Beauty Australia’s (HABA) bid to slash penalty rates for hair and beauty workers.

Rising above harassment – Joel shares his story

Many apprentices in the Hair and Beauty industry come straight from high school onto the salon floor – or even leave before they finish Year 12. One of our ambassadors, Joel, ended up in this situation and struggled to find somebody to turn to.

From Apprentice to Salon Owner – Vanessa shares her story

Bullying, underpayments, and withheld entitlements are all too common, but one HSA Ambassador has broken the cycle, and we’re proud to share her story.

What you need to know about your payslip

Wage theft is very common in the hair and beauty industry – there are so many small businesses run by employers who don’t know the full extent of the law, who don’t have fancy accounting software, or who straight up just exploit their staff and hope to get away with it.

Keeping clients safe – Mia shares her story

Did you know that at HSA, we don’t just cover hair stylists? We also look after beauty therapists and beauticians, too! Today we’re telling the story of one of our WA ambassadors, Mia.

5 Things You Need to Know About Annual Leave

There are a few rules around annual leave, some of which are super obscure, so we thought we’d break it down so you’re in the know.

How to deal with dermatitis in your salon

61% of practicing hair stylists and 59% of hairdressing students have experienced a skin problem on their hands – generally contact dermatitis – during their career.

Dealing with head lice – some HSA tips

We’ve got some great tips and tricks gathered from our HSA Ambassadors and our Organiser to make sure your salon is lice-free!

Sexual harassment – Kimberley shares her story

Kimberley, an HSA member in Victoria, speaks up about her sexual harassment, and is urging more people in the industry to do the same.

Formaldehyde – Melanie shares her story

To kick off Health and Safety Month this October, Melanie is sharing her story – one that a few years ago shook the industry to the core.

Managing illness – Nicole shares her story

HSA ambassador Nicole has shared her story, detailing a lifetime of hair styling. She says she put unrealistic expectations on herself when it came to her workload and capability

Penalty Rate Hearing Continues at Fair Work

HSA has challenged the proposal to cut penalty rates for hair stylists at the Fair Work Commission, with the hearing set to conclude this week.

HSA attends Fair Work’s Hair Stylists’ Penalty Rates hearing

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.

Hair stylists speak out to protect penalty rates

Our campaign to protect penalty rates picked up some serious steam this week. HSA member and Ambassador Vanessa Watts spoke to ABC News about the effect penalty rate cuts will have on her business, her colleagues, and her own job.

HABA submits proposal to cut penalty rates

Hair And Beauty Australia (HABA) have submitted their proposal to reduce penalty rates to the Fair Work Commission

Fair Work to review Hair and Beauty Penalty Rates

After cutting penalty rates for the retail, fast food, hospitality and pharmacy industries earlier this year, the Fair Work Commission has announced that penalty rates will also be reviewed for the hair and beauty industry.