Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:22 AM AWST
22/07/2026 7:22 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Apply and maintain wigs and hairpieces
Apply and maintain wigs and hairpieces
Unit of competency
National Code
SIHHHDS407A
SIHHHDS407A
State Code
D8704
D8704
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
08/11/2011
Field of Education
110303 - Hairdressing
Original Release Date
08/11/2011
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to select and apply hairpieces to complement a hair design, and to carry out the cleaning and maintenance of wigs and hairpieces.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Select and use cleaning products and techniques.
- 1.1. Examine wigs and hairpieces and identify stitching, knotting and fibre type.
- 1.2. Select, use and apply cleaning and conditioning products to match stitching, knotting and fibre type and apply according to manufacturer’s instructions and salon procedures.
- 1.3. Safely dispose of cleaning product waste to minimise negative environmental impacts according to salon procedures.
2. Cut wigs and hairpieces.
- 2.1. Apply wig or hairpiece to clients existing hair and adjust to ensure a comfortable fit.
- 2.2. Discuss finished look with client and apply haircutting techniques to achieve the agreed result.
- 2.3. Cut hairpieces attached to existing hair and blend to achieve planned natural looks.
- 2.4. Ensure the safe disposal of waste, according to salon procedures.
3. Apply design finishes to wigs and hairpieces.
- 3.1. Review and discuss alternative finished hair designs to confirm client expectations.
- 3.2. Confirm style concepts to complement facial features, bone structure and client expectations with clients.
- 3.3. Attach wigs or hairpieces to a working block, and select and apply styling products according to fibre type, base materials, planned design and manufacturer instructions.
- 3.4. Select and apply relevant tools and techniques, according to fibre type and base materials, to achieve the overall finished design.
- 3.5. Re-apply styled wigs or hairpieces to clients and adjust to ensure a secure and comfortable fit
- 3.6. Maintain client comfort and safety during the process according to salon procedures.
- 3.7. Confirm client satisfaction and adjust design finish where required.
- 3.8. Apply styling products for finished texture or hold, as required.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Wigs and hairpieces may include:
full head wigs
toupees
artificial beards and moustaches
long or short frangia
one, two or three stem switch
button
postiche, including:
square
round
heart
fantasy shape
wiglet in a variety of base shapes
hair, such as:
long
short
straight
wavy
curly
natural or artificial colours.
Stitching, knotting and fibre type may include:
machine stitching
hand knotting
human hair:
European
Asian
African
Euro-Asian
synthetic fibre
animal hair.
Salon procedures may include:
client comfort and safety
operator safety
procedures that comply with state or territory and local government health regulations relevant to the service
environmental protection practices, such as:
waste minimisation
waste disposal
water efficiency.
Clients may include:
men
women
children
people from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.
Styling products may include:
setting lotions
gels
glazes
mousses
waxes
sprays.
Relevant tools and techniques may include:
tools:
combs
wire brushes
styling brushes
clips
rollers
blow dryers
tongs
techniques, such as:
blow drying
blow waving
moulding
water waving
roller placement
pin curling
lamp drying
using heat diffusers.
Wigs and hairpieces may include:
full head wigs
toupees
artificial beards and moustaches
long or short frangia
one, two or three stem switch
button
postiche, including:
square
round
heart
fantasy shape
wiglet in a variety of base shapes
hair, such as:
long
short
straight
wavy
curly
natural or artificial colours.
Stitching, knotting and fibre type may include:
machine stitching
hand knotting
human hair:
European
Asian
African
Euro-Asian
synthetic fibre
animal hair.
Salon procedures may include:
client comfort and safety
operator safety
procedures that comply with state or territory and local government health regulations relevant to the service
environmental protection practices, such as:
waste minimisation
waste disposal
water efficiency.
Clients may include:
men
women
children
people from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.
Styling products may include:
setting lotions
gels
glazes
mousses
waxes
sprays.
Relevant tools and techniques may include:
tools:
combs
wire brushes
styling brushes
clips
rollers
blow dryers
tongs
techniques, such as:
blow drying
blow waving
moulding
water waving
roller placement
pin curling
lamp drying
using heat diffusers.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
selecting and applying appropriate products and techniques to clean a variety of wigs and hairpieces
applying, adjusting and cutting a full head wig to meet client requirements.
selecting and using haircutting techniques to blend a hairpiece with natural hair
completing finished designs on wigs and hairpieces to client satisfaction.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a salon or a simulated salon environment that includes a range of work situations such as client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the salon
an adjustable client chair
clean client gown or wrap
a supply of clean towels
wig blocks and appropriate attachment tools
wig and hairpiece cleaning products
a range of wigs and hairpieces
clients requiring a range of wig or hairpiece applications
haircutting tools and equipment
finishing tools and equipment
relevant documentation such as salon procedures.
For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the learner:
cleaning wigs and hairpieces
cutting switches and postiche to blend with natural hair
cutting wigs and hairpieces
styling and finishing wigs and hairpieces
written or verbal questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test knowledge, such as:
the types of hair and synthetic fibres used in wigs and hairpieces
types of knotting
cleaning and maintenance requirements for different fibres
relevant salon procedures
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party reports of on-the-job performance.
Guidance information for assessment
A unit of competency describes an individual skill but people rarely perform one skill at a time. Many skills are combined on a day-to-day basis in the workplace as part of work processes. This does not mean that each skill described by a unit of competency is pre-requisite to another—they are related skills.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, salon and job role is recommended for example:
SIHHHDS408A Make wigs and hairpieces
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
selecting and applying appropriate products and techniques to clean a variety of wigs and hairpieces
applying, adjusting and cutting a full head wig to meet client requirements.
selecting and using haircutting techniques to blend a hairpiece with natural hair
completing finished designs on wigs and hairpieces to client satisfaction.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a salon or a simulated salon environment that includes a range of work situations such as client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the salon
an adjustable client chair
clean client gown or wrap
a supply of clean towels
wig blocks and appropriate attachment tools
wig and hairpiece cleaning products
a range of wigs and hairpieces
clients requiring a range of wig or hairpiece applications
haircutting tools and equipment
finishing tools and equipment
relevant documentation such as salon procedures.
For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the learner:
cleaning wigs and hairpieces
cutting switches and postiche to blend with natural hair
cutting wigs and hairpieces
styling and finishing wigs and hairpieces
written or verbal questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test knowledge, such as:
the types of hair and synthetic fibres used in wigs and hairpieces
types of knotting
cleaning and maintenance requirements for different fibres
relevant salon procedures
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party reports of on-the-job performance.
Guidance information for assessment
A unit of competency describes an individual skill but people rarely perform one skill at a time. Many skills are combined on a day-to-day basis in the workplace as part of work processes. This does not mean that each skill described by a unit of competency is pre-requisite to another—they are related skills.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, salon and job role is recommended for example:
SIHHHDS408A Make wigs and hairpieces
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S4526 | WRHHD407A | Apply and maintain wigs and hairpieces | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWY23 | SHBHDES007 | Apply and maintain wigs and hairpieces | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D591 | SIH40111 | Certificate IV in Hairdressing | Qualification |