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Barber News

Cert 3 in Barbering Is Staying – And That’s Big News for the Industry

By Jimmy Rod Many people within the barber industry may not realise just how close Australia came to losing the official “Certificate III in Barbering” qualification. Recent discussions around training reforms nearly saw the qualification renamed to “Certificate III in Hair” with specialisations in Hairdressing and Barbering. While the training itself may have remained similar, removing the word “barbering” from the title would have been a major step backwards for an industry that has worked hard to establish its own identity. Thankfully, after strong industry feedback and consultation, the Certificate III in Barbering is staying. For many barbers, this decision represents far more than just a qualification title. It is recognition of barbering as its own profession, with unique skills, techniques, culture, and career pathways separate from traditional hairdressing. This situation is not new. The barber industry has faced similar challenges before. Not too long ago, the dedicated barbering qualification

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June 10, 2026

DEPOT IKONS Crowns Craig Smith at Expo4Barbers

The DEPOT Ikons Styling Competition was created to celebrate individuality, technical skill and creativity within Australia’s barbering and hair industry, giving professionals at all levels the opportunity to showcase their work on a national stage. Designed to be accessible and inclusive, the competition moved away from a traditional stage-first format, instead allowing entrants to submit their work through a photographic entry process. To enter, competitors purchased the official DEPOT Ikons Entry Pack and created a look using the four DEPOT styling products included. Each submission required front, side and back imagery, along with a self-portrait, professional bio and product feedback, all uploaded through the dedicated DEPOT submission platform. Following a strong response from across the country, five finalists were selected to compete live at Expo4Barbers, where they battled it out in front of an engaged industry crowd. The finalists were judged by respected industry professionals Josh OP, Gareth Philpot and

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June 2, 2026

What Would You Do With Your Life Back?

By Louise May – Editor in Chief for Mocha Group Missed calls. Lapsed clients. Ads that go nowhere. Enquiries sitting unanswered in your DMs. And a mind that never fully switches off, even when you’re home. Aura 300 is the AI platform that’s giving salon owners something they didn’t know they could ask for: their time, their revenue, and their peace of mind, all at once. Picture this. It’s 6:30pm on a Friday. The last client has left, the team has packed up, and you’ve locked the salon door. On the drive home, your phone lights up. A booking enquiry. Then another. A client asking about Saturday availability. By the time you sit down to dinner, you’ve answered three messages and missed a call, and you haven’t actually stopped working since 8am. This is the reality for most salon owners. The business doesn’t stop when you do. The phone doesn’t

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June 2, 2026

Matsui Brings More Than Tools to Hair Festival 2026

At Hair Festival 2026, Matsui isn’t just showing up with product. They are creating a space that pulls people in and keeps them there. This year, the Matsui booth moves beyond retail and into something far more considered. It is built as a hub for education, connection, and real, practical learning. The kind that stylists can take straight back into the salon and use. At the centre of it all is what Matsui does best. Scissors. Precision tools designed for control, consistency, and the realities of day-to-day salon work. Not just tools that look good on display, but tools that perform where it matters. Bringing that philosophy to life across the weekend is global educator Philip Wolff. Known for his technical approach and ability to simplify complex cutting, Philip will be educating live throughout the event. His sessions are expected to draw a crowd, particularly the highly anticipated Art of

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May 26, 2026

The Big Barber Bash Made Its National Debut Across Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth

Three states. Three iconic venues. Over 500 barbers and hairdressers attending and competing. In April 2026, The Big Barber Bash made its national debut – and the Australian barbering community turned out in force to be part of it. Six hours of look-and-learn education, live competitions, panel discussions, prizes, DJs, food trucks, and photographers at each stop. The kind of night that reminds you why you got into this industry in the first place. Founded by Carmelo Francese of Inspire Brands, TBBB was created with a clear vision: to bring world-class barbering education, competition and community directly to the industry across Australia. Emceed across all three states by Mocha Group’s GM, Jarred Stedman, the tour was open to all, built for everyone, and designed to grow the craft from the ground up… “The Big Barber Bash started out as an idea,” says Carmelo. “In the next two or three years,

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May 26, 2026

FREE WORKSHOP AT THE LOFT BARBERSHOP

The Loft Barbershop is proud to announce a free, look and learn community workshop on Sunday, 7 June.  Designed to empower parents and guardians with a practical skill that can make a real difference to the family budget. With the cost of living continuing to rise, regular trips to the barbershop can quickly become a luxury that many households struggle to justify. This workshop aims to change that, giving parents the confidence and technique to deliver a clean, professional-looking short back and sides at home, without the salon price tag. “You don’t need years of experience to give your kid a solid haircut. You just need the right guidance — and that’s what this day is all about.” The workshop will be taught by one of Australia’s leading barber educators and will walk attendees through the fundamentals of the short back and sides — one of the most classic, versatile cuts

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May 12, 2026

Gamma+ Launches Associate Program Across Australia and New Zealand

Gamma+ has announced the launch of its new Ambassador and Associate Program across Australia and New Zealand, reinforcing its commitment to education, innovation, and connection with working barbers and hairdressers. Founded in Italy, Gamma+ creates high-performance grooming tools for working barbers and stylists, combining precision engineering with modular design and powerful motors. Its reputation has been built through education, competition, and real-world testing by a global ambassador network, enabling the brand to evolve quickly and establish itself across Europe, North America, and Australia–New Zealand. Since 2020, Gamma+ Australia and New Zealand has been led by Carmelo Francese, who says the new program marks an important step forward for the brand in the region. “This program is about backing the barbers who are doing the work every day in shops, on stage, and in the industry. It’s not just about visibility – it’s about skill, credibility, and contribution. We’re building a

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May 12, 2026

Phorest Celebrates Launch of “Phorest Collections – AI Edition”

Elevating Salons, Spas and Clinics Through Human-First Innovation  Phorest, a leader in salon, spa and clinic management software, has announced its latest drop of features in their Collections series, Phorest Collections: AI Edition. This sophisticated suite of AI tools has been designed to support businesses with high-tech efficiency whilst amplifying human connections across the business. AI Features that Amplify Client Connection As the industry navigates a new world filled with AI noise, the Phorest priority remains human connection. The latest drop of AI functionality is designed to help streamline processes, lift the administrative burden, in turn, allowing professionals to reclaim their time for customer care and artistry.  “At Phorest, we believe AI should be an amplifier for the people in this industry, not a replacement,” said Ronan Perceval, CEO of Phorest. “With the AI Collections, we are automating the high-volume, low-ROI tasks, and empowering teams to walk into every appointment

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May 12, 2026

Vivid, Vibrant Semi-Permanent Colour – L3VEL3 Kray Launches in Australia

A new wave of colour is crashing onto Australian shores. Global grooming powerhouse L3VEL3 officially launches its highly anticipated Kray Colour Collection, a professional-grade semi-permanent hair colour range engineered for limitless customisation, now available exclusively through Dateline Imports. Marking the first of many exciting launches for 2026, Kray sets the tone for a bold new era in barbering and creative colour. As direct dye colour continues to cement its place in barbering, from sharp graphic placements to full creative transformations, Kray arrives at the perfect moment. Built for speed, versatility and impact, the range bridges the gap between technical performance and artistic freedom, giving barbers the ability to expand their services and elevate their work in a way that feels fresh, relevant and highly visual. Global Creators Driving the Movement Already making noise globally, Kray has been brought to life by leading L3VEL3 creators/educators including Kimberly Ibbotson (@kimberlytayhair), Carlos Estrella

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May 5, 2026

Dateline Imports Takes Centre Stage at EXPO4BARBERS 2026 with World-Class Education & Major Launches

Leading brands. Iconic talent. And a show floor presence that delivered at every level. Dateline Imports has officially wrapped Expo4Barbers 2026, held from 19 – 20 April at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, cementing its position as a powerhouse destination for barbers across the country. Across two high-energy days, the Dateline Imports stand drew constant crowds, driven by world-class education, headline-making product launches, and a line-up of globally recognised talent. From live demonstrations to hands-on tool experiences, the brand delivered an immersive showcase that celebrated the future of barbering. Education Takes Centre Stage A defining highlight of this year’s presence was the non-stop education program, bringing together some of the industry’s most respected names. Representing L3VEL3, Global Educator Yahia Jaber (@mrofficial) delivered high-impact sessions that drew strong crowds throughout the event. Taking to the main stage and educating on the stand across the weekend, he shared his expertise

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May 5, 2026
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