Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 4:56 PM AWST
22/07/2026 4:56 PM 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.
Work as a session stylist
Work as a session stylist
Unit of competency
National Code
SIHHTLS403A
SIHHTLS403A
State Code
D8726
D8726
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
28/11/2011
Field of Education
110303 - Hairdressing
Original Release Date
28/11/2011
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to create finished hair designs for events, film sets, photographic studios or platform work.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Interpret the creative brief.
- 1.1. Analyse the objectives of the script or fashion session to determine overall design concepts.
- 1.2. Participate in preliminary concept meetings with relevant personnel to discuss the hair design requirements for the type of production.
- 1.3. Identify relevant factors that may determine and affect the finished designs.
2. Conduct and evaluate research and planning.
- 2.1. Undertake research and analyse findings to develop hair design concepts.
- 2.2. Organise research materials, findings and documentation for use throughout the design development process, and update as required.
- 2.3. Generate initial concepts against the research findings and discuss with relevant personnel.
3. Consult and discuss finished design.
- 3.1. Consult and examine the model or performer physically and visually to establish specific requirements.
- 3.2. Confirm finished hair designs appropriate to the character, performance, production or event in consultation with relevant personnel.
4. Create current, creative and period hair designs.
- 4.1. Select and use products, materials, tools and techniques appropriate to the established design results.
- 4.2. Reflect a predetermined era accurately in finished hair designs, where relevant to the production or event.
- 4.3. Ensure comfort and safety of the model or performer during each stage of the process.
- 4.4. Complete finished hair designs within required timeframes.
- 4.5. Confirm director or coordinator and model or performer satisfaction with finished hair design.
- 4.6. Document finished hair designs for future performances, events or continuity purposes.
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.
Overall design concepts may include:
hair designs
total looks
current, creative or period designs
elements of design
principles of design
overall design concepts.
Types of productions may include:
feature films
advertisements
theatre
television
fashion shoots
hair fashion shoots
hair shows
in-salon presentations
technical workshops.
Research materials may include:
fashion magazines
history books
photographs, paintings and illustrations from a particular period
film and video
the internet
manufacturer materials
design concept, fashion or stage.
Documentation must include:
overall design concepts
folio including photographs and sketches
haircut structural graphics
technical notes on chemical processes
manual files
computer database.
Relevant personnel may include:
director
event coordinator
presentation team member
costume designer
fashion designer
choreographer
makeup artist
photographic stylist
photographer.
Finished hair designs may include:
colour effects
chemical curling and volumising effects
chemical straightening effects
haircut structures
temporary straight and curved design finishes for direction, volume, curl, waves and texture
wigs and hairpieces
hair ornaments.
A predetermined era may include:
historical period
current period
futuristic period
forecasting of looks.
Overall design concepts may include:
hair designs
total looks
current, creative or period designs
elements of design
principles of design
overall design concepts.
Types of productions may include:
feature films
advertisements
theatre
television
fashion shoots
hair fashion shoots
hair shows
in-salon presentations
technical workshops.
Research materials may include:
fashion magazines
history books
photographs, paintings and illustrations from a particular period
film and video
the internet
manufacturer materials
design concept, fashion or stage.
Documentation must include:
overall design concepts
folio including photographs and sketches
haircut structural graphics
technical notes on chemical processes
manual files
computer database.
Relevant personnel may include:
director
event coordinator
presentation team member
costume designer
fashion designer
choreographer
makeup artist
photographic stylist
photographer.
Finished hair designs may include:
colour effects
chemical curling and volumising effects
chemical straightening effects
haircut structures
temporary straight and curved design finishes for direction, volume, curl, waves and texture
wigs and hairpieces
hair ornaments.
A predetermined era may include:
historical period
current period
futuristic period
forecasting of looks.
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:
planning and negotiating with other production team members, to take into account any cultural or physical requirements, and to ensure model or performer comfort and safety throughout the presentation
sourcing and organising equipment and props, including garments for a platform presentation
applying the elements and principles of design and a broad range of technical hairdressing skills to create creative, contemporary and period hair designs
applying a range of classic and current hair designs on short, medium and long hair in short turnaround times
applying relevant occupational health and safety and health regulation requirements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
session styling settings, such as events, film sets, photographic studios or platform work
library, internet and film media research sources
a range of hairdressing products, equipment, hair accessories, props and audiovisual resources
relevant occupational health and safety and health regulations.
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 performing a range of tasks in session styling environments, over sufficient time to demonstrate their handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include:
researching and planning for a hair show, sourcing models, garments, props and equipment and conducting rehearsals where required
designing and applying finished looks, incorporating colour, chemical reformation and haircutting or design services according to an agreed plan
responding to a creative brief to lead a small team completing hair designs for a fashion parade
case studies that involve researching and planning and creating period hair styles for filming or a catwalk event
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 prerequisite to another—they are related skills.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, salon and job role is recommended, for example:
SIHHHCS410A Design and perform creative haircuts
SIHHHDS406A Design and apply creative long hair designs
SIHHHDS407A Apply and maintain 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:
planning and negotiating with other production team members, to take into account any cultural or physical requirements, and to ensure model or performer comfort and safety throughout the presentation
sourcing and organising equipment and props, including garments for a platform presentation
applying the elements and principles of design and a broad range of technical hairdressing skills to create creative, contemporary and period hair designs
applying a range of classic and current hair designs on short, medium and long hair in short turnaround times
applying relevant occupational health and safety and health regulation requirements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
session styling settings, such as events, film sets, photographic studios or platform work
library, internet and film media research sources
a range of hairdressing products, equipment, hair accessories, props and audiovisual resources
relevant occupational health and safety and health regulations.
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 performing a range of tasks in session styling environments, over sufficient time to demonstrate their handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include:
researching and planning for a hair show, sourcing models, garments, props and equipment and conducting rehearsals where required
designing and applying finished looks, incorporating colour, chemical reformation and haircutting or design services according to an agreed plan
responding to a creative brief to lead a small team completing hair designs for a fashion parade
case studies that involve researching and planning and creating period hair styles for filming or a catwalk event
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 prerequisite to another—they are related skills.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, salon and job role is recommended, for example:
SIHHHCS410A Design and perform creative haircuts
SIHHHDS406A Design and apply creative long hair designs
SIHHHDS407A Apply and maintain wigs and hairpieces
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S7131 | WRHHD406B | Work as a session stylist | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWY10 | SHBHTLS003 | Work as a session stylist | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D591 | SIH40111 | Certificate IV in Hairdressing | Qualification |