Perth Institute Western Australia (PIWA) prides itself on developing courses that cater to the changing demands of industry, both in Australia and internationally.

Perth Institute began offering fully accredited hairdressing courses to international students in 2006 and has had great success training people to enter this dynamic and innovative industry. Our international students come from all corners of the world, including the UK, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Malaysia, France, Russia, Poland and more.

Perth Institute is at the forefront of developing innovative educational programmes for the hairdressing industry in Western Australia. These courses are targeted to address the skill shortage across Australia and worldwide of qualified hairdressers.

PIWA’s diploma course provides students with the skills necessary to work in the hairdressing industry from operational level through to supervisory and management positions in hairdressing salons. The qualification is nationally accredited and students will acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to manage or own a salon, and to be highly skilled in all aspects of hairdressing with opportunities to travel and work in fashion, theatre, media and teaching.

This course is intended to build on individual talent and experience, while recognising and responding to the diversity of individual needs. The training provided at Perth Institute helps develop the latest technical skills, as well as business and interpersonal skills. These will create great opportunities for an exciting career in hairdressing.

Students are required to complete their work experience at the Fusion. Hair.Face.Body salon. Fusion is the official training salon for Perth Institute and is fully owned by the college. Fusion is on the eighth floor of the Carillon City Office Tower in the heart of Perth. It provides easy access to students and is open to the general public. It aims to provide students with hands-on practical experience, up-to-date styles and skills, as well as traditional and highly modern hair techniques.

Courses in Hairdressing

Certificate III Hairdressing (one year)

Certificate IV Hairdressing (1.5 years)

Diploma of Hairdressing Salon Management (two years)

Career opportunities include:

Professional hair designer

Professional hair colourist

Professional hair stylist

Creative director

Artistic director

Resident colourist

Perming specialist

Educator

Salon manager

Franchise owner

What will I study?

From certificate III, IV and the Diploma of Hairdressing Salon Management, you will be taught basic hairdressing skills right through to the latest technical and management skills. Our lecturing team has a wealth of experience and talent from around the world. The course consists of theory classes, practical classes and time in our training salon, Fusion.Hair.Face.Body. Our new premises are under development and will be opening their doors shortly, adding to our the popular course. Students choosing PIWA will find the staff friendly and professional, and be able to work alongside students from all over the world. Come and join the exciting and creative world of hairdressing in Perth!

Mariana and Florin Gal came to Perth from Romania in 2006. They had worked as hairdressers in their own country, but when their Romanian qualifications turned out not to be recognised by the Western Australian Hairdressing Registration Board, they decided to explore other career paths. 

When Mariana finished studying English in December 2006, Perth Institute was just opening its hairdressing course. “I took the opportunity to go back to what I love doing and that is working with hair,” says Mariana.

Florin soon joined her on the programme, after a term studying air-conditioning insulation, and both loved the experience. “The teachers are fantastic, there was so much hands-on learning and at the same time the theory was all relevant,” says Florin.

After graduating from Perth Institute with a Certificate III in Hairdressing they went to the Western Australian Hairdressing Registration Board to get registered. Florin said, “I wasn’t nervous at all. I knew that I had received a great education and was confident that I would be registered.”

Florin and Mariana were the first students to finish the Certificate III at Perth Institute and be registered with the Hairdressing Board. Liza Gomes, marketing director of Perth Institute, says: “This just proves that a study pathway can be taken and, with hard work and enthusiasm, a one year Certificate III course is equal to the standards required for all hairdressers in Western Australia.”

In September 2008, Mariana and Florin celebrated their opening night of the F&M Salon in Victoria Park. Florin is continuing his studies at Perth Institute with a Diploma of Hairdressing Salon Management and working part time at the salon, while Mariana is managing the business. Mariana says they are really excited about this new chapter in their lives. “It is all thanks to Perth Institute,” Florin says with a huge smile.