Taking a haircut: The states where you're paying more at the salon
As part of a study that calls for an overhaul of high school and post-secondary education to deal with a growing number of students finishing their studies without key skills, the commission argues protections put in place by particular industries are imposing widespread financial costs across the economy.
People in NSW and South Australia who want to become hairdressers need to complete a certificate III training course, at a cost of $13,000 to $28,000, putting upward pressure on prices. There is no evidence that it has improved the quality of cuts and colours compared with other states.
The commission's study, the fourth of five it is releasing before next week's three-day economic roundtable, warned that the pace of economic change meant some existing jobs would disappear and others would be created, while new skills would be required for existing occupations.
Ninety per cent of new jobs in coming years would require post-secondary qualifications from either universities or vocational education centres.
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But the commission found consumers were being harmed by regulations governing existing jobs.
It said occupational entry regulations (OERs), which require workers to meet minimum conditions such as a licence, were growing. One in five people were subjected to them, worsening worker shortages.
In occupations such as hairdressing, vehicle repairs, painting and decorating, there were differing licence conditions across the country, but without measurably different outcomes.
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