Unit of competency Outline
Information current as of
19/10/2026 8:07 AM AWST
19/10/2026 8:07 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.
Perform hair loss diagnosis
Perform hair loss diagnosis
Unit of competency
National Code
WRHHS407A
WRHHS407A
State Code
S4534
S4534
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
26/09/2006
Original Release Date
18/04/2011
Nominal Hours
30
Field of Education
110303 - Hairdressing
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to consult with patients, diagnose types of scalp hair loss and assess the suitability of therapeutic treatments.
General notes
N/A
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Consult with the patient.
- 1.1 An accurately recorded history of patient hair loss signs and symptoms is obtained through questioning and active listening.
- 1.2 Physical and visual examination of hair and scalp are conducted according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.
- 1.3 Microscopic examination of sample hairs is conducted and interpreted if indicated.
2 Assess hair loss.
- 2.1 Information from patient consultation including microscopichairanalysis is organised and assessed.
- 2.2 An assessment of the type of hair loss, likely cause and treatment prognosis is made based on analysis.
3 Communicate hair loss assessment to patient.
- 3.1 Consultation assessment is explained to client.
- 3.2 Hair loss treatment options and costs are discussed and a treatment program is confirmed with patient where treatment is indicated.
- 3.3 Patient is referred to other professionals where indicated by the assessment.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.
The following variables 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. Bold italicised text from the performance criteria is detailed here.
Recorded history may include:
date of presentation
identifying personal details
source of referral, if applicable
main presenting complaint or reason for consultation
presenting signs and symptoms, which may include pictures to record symptoms
hair loss history
other current medical or therapeutic treatments
general state of health, including dietary picture
observations arising from physical and visual examination
outcomes of microscopic analysis (where conducted).
Patients may include:
men
women
children
new or regular patients with routine or special needs
patients from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.
Relevant legislation may include:
federal, state and local health and hygiene
occupational health and safety.
Workplace policies and procedures may include:
health and hygiene
comfort and privacy
timeframes for the completion of the service
quality assurance.
Microscopic hair analysis may include:
epilating hairs in the direction of hair growth
mounting hair
examining hair bulbs
examining hair shafts and tips
determining the hair growth cycle phase for each hair bulb examined
identifying the anagen/telogen ratio to determine the presence of diffuse hair loss.
Type of hair loss may include:
patchy hair loss
alopecia:
areata
totalis
universalis
cicatricial
folliculitis
pseudopelade
lichen planus
lupus
scleroderma
traction alopecia
trichotillomania
diffuse hair loss
temporary self-correcting
permanent until causative factor corrected
androgenetic hair loss
male pattern baldness
female pattern thinning.
Treatment prognosis may include:
treatable hair loss
untreatable hair loss
referral to other practitioners.
Other professionals may include:
medical practitioner
dietician
natural therapist.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.
The following variables 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. Bold italicised text from the performance criteria is detailed here.
Recorded history may include:
date of presentation
identifying personal details
source of referral, if applicable
main presenting complaint or reason for consultation
presenting signs and symptoms, which may include pictures to record symptoms
hair loss history
other current medical or therapeutic treatments
general state of health, including dietary picture
observations arising from physical and visual examination
outcomes of microscopic analysis (where conducted).
Patients may include:
men
women
children
new or regular patients with routine or special needs
patients from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.
Relevant legislation may include:
federal, state and local health and hygiene
occupational health and safety.
Workplace policies and procedures may include:
health and hygiene
comfort and privacy
timeframes for the completion of the service
quality assurance.
Microscopic hair analysis may include:
epilating hairs in the direction of hair growth
mounting hair
examining hair bulbs
examining hair shafts and tips
determining the hair growth cycle phase for each hair bulb examined
identifying the anagen/telogen ratio to determine the presence of diffuse hair loss.
Type of hair loss may include:
patchy hair loss
alopecia:
areata
totalis
universalis
cicatricial
folliculitis
pseudopelade
lichen planus
lupus
scleroderma
traction alopecia
trichotillomania
diffuse hair loss
temporary self-correcting
permanent until causative factor corrected
androgenetic hair loss
male pattern baldness
female pattern thinning.
Treatment prognosis may include:
treatable hair loss
untreatable hair loss
referral to other practitioners.
Other professionals may include:
medical practitioner
dietician
natural therapist.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence. It is essential for assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the range statement and the assessment guidelines of the relevant Training Package.
Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit of competency must be able to conduct a full hair loss diagnosis, recognise the most likely causes of hair loss and the potential to arrest hair loss through hair loss therapy and/or through referral to another professional.
Specific evidence requirements
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
knowledge and consistent application of relevant workplace policies and procedures
knowledge and consistent application of federal, state and local health and hygiene legislation and regulations
demonstrated consistent application of patient consultation according to workplace procedures
consistent application of accurate patient assessments based on examination and/or microscopic analysis
consistent maintenance of accurate, relevant and well-organised recorded patient information that can be readily interpreted by other professionals
consistent, sensitive and clear communication of patient diagnosis and options that takes into account any cultural or physical requirements of the patient.
Context of assessment
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor and/or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor. The technical expert may include the hairdresser and/or an experienced person at the workplace.
Competency should be demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of situations that may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace. For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.
Specific resources for assessment
Competency for this unit should be assessed through access to:
relevant documentation such as:
workplace policy and procedures manuals
relevant occupational health and safety legislation and regulations
client history systems
a range of clients with hair loss problems
equipment suitable to microscopic analysis of hair
a qualified workplace assessor or assessment team.
Relationship to other units
This unit is a co-requisite for a range of trichology units. It requires an assessment outcome that includes evidence of the application of knowledge of nutrition and skin and hair science in the performance of trichological treatments.
Prerequisite units:
none.
Co-requisite units:
WRHHS403A Apply knowledge of hair and scalp problems to trichological consultations
WRHHS404A Perform trichological assessments
WRHHS405A Apply the principles of nutrition
WRHHS408A Design and provide nutritional therapies
WRHHS409A Design and apply hair loss therapies.
Method of assessment
The following assessment method is suggested.
Observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate his/her handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include:
consultation with patients
counselling patients
physical, visual and microscopic examination of hair
diagnosis based on evidence gathered, including observations and analysis
communicating diagnosis and negotiating options with patients
referring to other professionals where appropriate.
Evidence required for demonstration of consistent performance
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered through a range of methods to indicate consistent performance.
It can be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone, through an integrated assessment activity or through a combination of both.
Evidence should be gathered as part of the learning process.
Assessing employability skills
Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.
Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically in the context of the job role and with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification.
The evidence guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence. It is essential for assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the range statement and the assessment guidelines of the relevant Training Package.
Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit of competency must be able to conduct a full hair loss diagnosis, recognise the most likely causes of hair loss and the potential to arrest hair loss through hair loss therapy and/or through referral to another professional.
Specific evidence requirements
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
knowledge and consistent application of relevant workplace policies and procedures
knowledge and consistent application of federal, state and local health and hygiene legislation and regulations
demonstrated consistent application of patient consultation according to workplace procedures
consistent application of accurate patient assessments based on examination and/or microscopic analysis
consistent maintenance of accurate, relevant and well-organised recorded patient information that can be readily interpreted by other professionals
consistent, sensitive and clear communication of patient diagnosis and options that takes into account any cultural or physical requirements of the patient.
Context of assessment
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor and/or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor. The technical expert may include the hairdresser and/or an experienced person at the workplace.
Competency should be demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of situations that may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace. For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.
Specific resources for assessment
Competency for this unit should be assessed through access to:
relevant documentation such as:
workplace policy and procedures manuals
relevant occupational health and safety legislation and regulations
client history systems
a range of clients with hair loss problems
equipment suitable to microscopic analysis of hair
a qualified workplace assessor or assessment team.
Relationship to other units
This unit is a co-requisite for a range of trichology units. It requires an assessment outcome that includes evidence of the application of knowledge of nutrition and skin and hair science in the performance of trichological treatments.
Prerequisite units:
none.
Co-requisite units:
WRHHS403A Apply knowledge of hair and scalp problems to trichological consultations
WRHHS404A Perform trichological assessments
WRHHS405A Apply the principles of nutrition
WRHHS408A Design and provide nutritional therapies
WRHHS409A Design and apply hair loss therapies.
Method of assessment
The following assessment method is suggested.
Observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate his/her handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include:
consultation with patients
counselling patients
physical, visual and microscopic examination of hair
diagnosis based on evidence gathered, including observations and analysis
communicating diagnosis and negotiating options with patients
referring to other professionals where appropriate.
Evidence required for demonstration of consistent performance
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered through a range of methods to indicate consistent performance.
It can be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone, through an integrated assessment activity or through a combination of both.
Evidence should be gathered as part of the learning process.
Assessing employability skills
Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.
Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically in the context of the job role and with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification.
No information