Leanne Cunningham from Down owns and runs Head Office Hair Specialists in Bondi Junction.

Leanne Cunningham :: Hairdresser

When and why did you first come to Australia?

I first came in 2003 to do a year’s backpacking. After going back to Ireland for a while I moved back to Australia and got a job in Sydney and after a week they asked me if I wanted to be sponsored for an Australian visa. After that I didn’t go home for three and a half years.

What exactly do you do here?

I’ve just set up my own hair salon called Head Office Hair Specialists in Bondi Junction in Sydney. It opened on St Patrick’s Day and trade has been good.

How would you rate Irish hairdressers against Australians
in your experience?

Irish hairdressers are better. They are stronger in their colours and have better knowledge of hairdressing. Irish hairdressers really are some of the best in the world.

What qualifications did you have before you came out here and how did you find the process of having those qualifications recognised in Australia?

I worked for Peter Mark for eight years in Ireland and was the manager of the salon in Sligo and then Derry. I had my certificates from Ireland but to get my residency I had to do a trades test. I furthered my education in Australia with Wella and I got my colour degree.

Are there many jobs going in your industry in general? And what advice would you give to people seeking work here?

There are not as many jobs as there were a couple of years ago because they removed hairdressing from the trade list (for emigration). They removed it from the education list as well because they said there are enough hairdressers in the country. What I would advise Irish backpackers to do is to go to the big hair salons like Wella and L’Oreal and get their education more up to date and get their certificates. This will make getting residency easier.

How much should your average hairdresser expect to earn and how does that compare to Ireland?

On average you would get $23 per hour. It depends on the individual hairdresser and how many years’ experience they have. Most of it is on commission, so the more clients you do the more money you make. When I started off seven years ago I was on really poor money compared to in Ireland, but I’d say things have probably changed now because of the recession in Ireland.

What long-term opportunities are there here for hairdressers as regards jobs and visa prospects?

You still get points for hairdressing in the points test for the skilled independnet visa, but you just don’t get as many points as before.

What do you do for fun, and what are your most/least favourite things about living in Oz?

I play football for Central Coast, but I’m on the sideline 24/7! I’m not very good! The weather is a massive bonus here. I love this country, but maybe sometimes I miss the Irish sense of humour.

What is the biggest difference between working in hairdressing here and in Ireland?

Everyone wants to be blonde!