Hair and Beauty Australia

A client demands a full refund three weeks after a colour service. She's posted about it. She's threatening to take it further.

Do you know your obligations under Australian Consumer Law, and where they end?

Most salon owners don't. And that's not a criticism. It's just not something you're trained in when you're trained in hair.

HABA members get guidance on exactly this: how to handle complaints, what refunds and re-dos you're actually required to offer, how to manage unreasonable demands, and support for escalated disputes including member support of up to $500 toward eligible troubled customer matters.

Protect your business while staying on the right side of the law. That's what HABA membership looks like in practice.

🔗 Join via this link:
askhaba.com.au

In the first six months of 2026, HABA's Workplace Advice Line handled 270 interactions across 212 advice cases.

The average call ran for around 20 minutes.

These are not quick admin queries. They are real employment problems being worked through in real time by real business owners: wages, leave, terminations, misconduct, and all the situations nobody prepares you for when you open a salon.

In only two cases across the entire six months was a query referred to the legal team. Everything else was resolved on the advice line.

That's what membership buys. Not a brochure. Not a portal full of documents. A call that gets answered by someone who knows the Award, knows the Act, and knows how to keep a problem from becoming something much larger.

Non-members facing the same situations are either handling them blind or paying a solicitor.

🔗 Join via this link: askhaba.com.au

Running a salon means wearing every hat: employer, manager, bookkeeper, peacekeeper. And when something goes wrong with a staff member, most owners wing it and hope for the best.

HABA members don't have to.

From performance management and formal warnings to lawful terminations and misconduct, HABA gives you step-by-step guidance, documentation templates, and direct access to workplace and legal advice, so when things aren't working, you handle it properly.

Plus: HABA's Member Protection Benefit covers eligible workplace matters up to $10,000.

That's not a perk. That's a safety net.

Join over 1,200 businesses who already have one. 🔗 Link in bio.

In the first six months of 2026, HABA's Workplace Advice Line handled 270 interactions across 212 advice cases.

The average call ran for around 20 minutes.

These are not quick admin queries. They are real employment problems being worked through in real time by real business owners: wages, leave, terminations, misconduct, and all the situations nobody prepares you for when you open a salon.

In only two cases across the entire six months was a query referred to the legal team. Everything else was resolved on the advice line.

That's what membership buys. Not a brochure. Not a portal full of documents. A call that gets answered by someone who knows the Award, knows the Act, and knows how to keep a problem from becoming something much larger.

Non-members facing the same situations are either handling them blind or paying a solicitor.

🔗 Join via the link in bio.
askhaba.com.au

95% of Australia's hair and beauty businesses are small. That's exactly who we exist for.
When it comes to government, industrial tribunals, and Fair Work proceedings — small businesses can feel invisible.

That's the problem HABA has been solving for over 100 years.

As the only federally registered industrial association representing salon, barbershop and beauty business owners in Australia, we bring your voice into the rooms where decisions are made — at local, state and federal government level.

We're not a product brand. We're not a franchise system. We don't represent employees.

We represent you.

✔️ Over 1,200 salons and beauty businesses rely on HABA
✔️ Unlimited, personalised HR and workplace relations support
✔️ Compliance tools built specifically for our industry
✔️ A not-for-profit that reinvests everything back into your industry

Your business is HABA's business.

Become a member today: www.askhaba.com.au

Work health and safety isn't just a tick-box exercise — in a busy salon environment, it's the foundation of a safe, professional, and legally compliant business.

Five WHS areas every salon owner should review right now:

1. Chemical storage and Safety Data Sheets — are they current and accessible?
2. Ventilation — is your salon adequately ventilated for chemical services?
3. Slip and trip hazards — wet floors, cables, and cluttered workspaces are common risks
4. Manual handling — lifting, repetitive movements and posture for stylists and therapists
5. Emergency procedures — does your team know what to do?

A WHS incident can result in serious harm to your team, penalties, and reputational damage. Prevention is always cheaper.

HABA members can access WHS guidance, templates and practical support to help you build safe, compliant systems in your salon.

Need help getting your WHS in order? ASK HABA: www.askhaba.com.au or (02) 9221 9911

www.askhaba.com.au

One of the most common questions our team receives is: "My employee has done something wrong — what can I actually do about it?"

The answer depends on what happened, how it's documented, and whether the correct process was followed.

In the hair and beauty industry, misconduct can include things like:

🔹 Repeated lateness or no-shows without reasonable explanation
🔹 Inappropriate behaviour toward clients or team members
🔹 Breach of confidentiality or salon policies
🔹 Serious safety breaches

What most employers don't realise is that how you handle misconduct matters just as much as the conduct itself. Rushing to dismiss someone without proper process — even when the behaviour is genuinely unacceptable — can expose you to an unfair dismissal or general protections claim.

Need personalised advice on a specific situation? That's exactly what HABA membership is for. Call us on (02) 9221 9911.

It's EOFY, and one question we get asked every year is: "Can I claim my HABA membership as a business deduction?"

Yes. As a professional industry association membership directly related to your business, your HABA membership fee is a legitimate business expense and can generally be claimed as a tax deduction.

Think of it this way: just as you claim insurance, product costs and equipment, your HABA membership is your protection against the compliance risks that come with employing people in the hair and beauty industry.

Beyond the tax benefit, it's also the most cost-effective way to access:

✔️ Qualified workplace relations advice from industry specialists
✔️ HR and Fair Work support when you need it most
✔️ Updated Award wage rates and legal guidance
✔️ A team that advocates for your business at government level

Not yet a member? Now is a great time to join — before the new financial year begins.

Start today: www.askhaba.com.au

(Always check with your accountant for advice specific to your circumstances.)

Are you a HABA member? Let's put the spotlight on your business.

We are looking for HABA members across Australia — hair salons, barbershops, beauty clinics, and day spas — to feature in our Member Spotlight Series: BEHIND THE CHAIR.

This is your chance to be showcased across HABA's social media platforms and member emails, helping you build brand awareness and connect with our community of over 1,200 industry businesses.

All we need from you:
— A short description of your business
— Your website URL
— A high-resolution logo
— Your social media handles

Tag a salon owner you think deserves a spotlight in the comments below, or complete the form via the link in our bio.

We can't wait to celebrate what you've built.