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HRBWA’S RESPONSE TO
THE DEPARTMENT OF
CONSUMER AND EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION’S
POSTION PAPER
ON THE REGULATION OF THE HAIRDRESSING INDUSTRY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
In August this year the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP) wrote to all registered hairdressers informing them of recommended changes to the current system of regulating the hairdressing industry. This was outlined in a position paper which was made available upon request from DOCEP by mail or by downloading a copy from their website at http://www.docep.wa.gov.au//ConsumerProtection/PDF/reports.html. The letter requested submissions from the hairdressing industry in response to the recommendations in the position paper which were to be forwarded to DOCEP by the 20th October 2006.
The Board has produced a position paper in response to DOCEP’s, which it makes recommendations that it
believes better reflects a way forward in terms of the regulation of the hairdressing industry. The Board strongly supports the retention of the Hairdressers Registration Act and Regulations but agrees that the current legislation is antiquated and needs to be amended.
Below are a few of the recommendations outlined in the HRB position paper:
- An Advisory Committee be appointed to recommend to DOCEP the appropriate qualifications, training and experience necessary to become a registered hairdresser in WA
- Theory & Practical examinations be conducted for those applicants that do not have a like form of training to that of a WA apprentice
- Registration fees continue to be payable annually
- Registration fees to be reduced provided the integrity of the registration compliance process is not jeopardised
- Principals in hairdressing establishments be maintained
- Penalties for unqualified persons practicing as hairdresser be increased to $3000.00. (These penalties will also extend to Salon owners who knowingly employ unregistered hairdressers)
- Compliance checks on hairdressing establishments be maintained
- The practice of granting an ‘Authority to Work’ be maintained
We believe that our proposed position will serve not only to reduce the financial impact of regulating the hairdressing industry but will also continue to support a high level of consumer protection as well as maintaining the professional standards that are currently experienced in the industry.
If you would like a copy of the HRB position paper, you can download a copy or alternatively call us on 9381 9966 and we can arrange to send you one.
