Hair & Beauty Award Updates

Hair and Beauty Industry Award Updates  

Published 29th Feb 2024

Late last year the Fair Work Commission (FWC) revised the Hair and Beauty Industry Award as part of is ongoing award review process to remove ambiguity or uncertainty or correct errors.  The changes that came into effect from the first pay period on or after 31 December 2023 clarify junior age descriptions and adjust casual penalty rates for weekends.  

What has Changed? 

  • Junior Age Descriptions – changes have been made to junior age descriptions in several clauses of the award to improve clarity. There are no changes to junior rates, the FWC has made the descriptions clearer and more consistent.
     
  • Casual Penalty Rates – as mentioned in previous HIES comms, weekend rates for casual workers have seen incremental increases between November 3, 2021, and December 31, 2023. With the final rate increase having been implemented, relevant clauses detailing ordinary Saturday and Sunday rates as well as overtime Sunday rates also have been updated.  

We encourage members review the updated Hair and Beauty Award to ensure compliance. We also encourage and recommend that you take the time to review your payroll to ensure penalty rates and shift loadings are in line with the changes and your junior staff are being paid correctly.  

In the event you identify an error, best practice is to communicate openly with the team member, make the necessary variations and where appropriate process any under payment of wages.  

If you have any questions about this update or any other HR in Health matter, contact the HIES on (07) 3386 6488 or email us at [email protected]