Consumer Protection Minister Michelle Roberts is calling on the hairdressing industry to get involved in reviewing the State's 60-year-old Hairdressers Registration Act.
Consumer Protection Minister Michelle Roberts is calling on the hairdressing industry to get involved in reviewing the State's 60-year-old Hairdressers Registration Act.
"Things have changed dramatically since 1946, when the Act came into being," Mrs Roberts said.
"It is time to ascertain if the current framework still meets consumer and industry needs.
"Western Australia is the only State or Territory in Australia to have a separate registration scheme and statutory board for the hairdressing industry. For many years debate has occurred within the industry concerning the necessity for a Hairdressers' Registration Board, including a Government review 19 years ago which resulted in a recommendation that the board be abolished.
"We invite comment from the community and marketplace to help guide the Government in updating the structure we have for the registration and statutory control for those who work as hairdressers.
"We are committed to ensuring that the system of regulation reflects modern market practices and that changes reduce entry barriers into the industry, streamline administration and result in a generally more efficient industry.
"Consumer Protection has developed a position paper which outlines a proposal that would see the board abolished and all its functions and responsibilities become amalgamated into the existing structure of the department."
Simplified registration of hairdressers would evolve from a consolidated approach without a board, and would include improvements such as:
- all hairdressers currently registered in WA would remain registered;
- people seeking to become hairdressers would need to apply to Consumer Protection for registration;
- registration would be automatic upon production of evidence of appropriate training or qualifications;
- penalties for practising as a hairdresser without registration would increase from $100 to $3,000 and would also be applied to owners of salons; and
- Consumer Protection could investigate allegations of misconduct, which could lead to the cancellation of registration.
Mrs Roberts said it was proposed that with the abolition of the board, an advisory committee would be formed to ensure ongoing industry consultation.
"Hairdressing is a very personal service and one for which many consumers spend a lot of money, and take very seriously," she said.
This undertaking is intended to find the best structure for the industry, while maintaining appropriate protection and redress for WA consumers."