Under the policy and direction of developing “Greater Bay Area”, to make the Hair and Beauty industries in Hong Kong to extend to GBA and have a common integration, this “One Examination, Multiple Certification” is a great example of the bridge being led by the nation. With the current situation, Hair & Beauty industries, and AHMA HAIR COUNCIL together with GBA (HK) Hair & Beauty Industries Association will promote this “One Examination, Multiple Certification” to become the professional and recognized certification. We will vigorously encourage and recommend the industrial practitioners under the age of 35 to get the “One Examination, Multiple Certification”. This will provide certification that young industrial practitioners are having the recognized professional standards. As this group of people will still have 30-40 years of service in Hair & Beauty industries, this certification is to meet with the future demand of professional credentials.
At the same time, for hairstylists and beauticians aged 35 or above, we recommend promoting this age group to obtain relevant certificates through the "Recognition of Prior Qualifications" assessment channel. The goal is that in the future, all hairstylists and beauticians will obtain professional certification to prove their professional status. The ultimate goal is for every hairstylist and beautician to hold a "One Examination, Multiple Certification" or QF certificate and become a professional status recognized by society.
1.The starting salary for positions in Greater Bay Area enterprises is 30–50% higher than that for equivalent positions in Hong Kong, with accommodation included.
According to a survey conducted by the Yangcheng Evening News in September 2025 on 6 chain hairdressing brands in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, senior technicians (equivalent to Hong Kong QF Level 3) have a fixed base salary of RMB 8,000–12,000, plus a 20% service commission and store bonuses, resulting in a monthly comprehensive income of RMB 14,000–18,000 (approximately HK$ 15,000–20,000). This is about 30–50% higher than the average monthly salary of HK$ 12,000–13,500 for equivalent positions in Hong Kong. Chain stores generally provide dormitories or a monthly housing allowance of RMB 500–800.
Source: https://www.cnbayarea.org.cn/news/focus/content/post_1262849.html
2.Meituan’s 2025 China Lifestyle Services Industry Development Report indicates that there are 118 million active users in the 9 core cities of the Greater Bay Area. Since 2024, the platform has required hairdressing and beauty merchants to upload screenshots of their "vocational qualification certificates" or "Hong Kong-Macao One Exam, Multiple Certificates"; otherwise, they cannot activate the "group buying + live streaming" function. Douyin Lifestyle Services also stated in its March 2025 announcement that "dual certificates (industry operation permit + skill level certificate)" are required for entry, and merchants without certificates will have their exposure weight reduced by 50%.
3.Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai offer Hong Kong and Macao certified entrepreneurs a maximum start-up subsidy of RMB 300,000 plus full rent exemption for the first year.
Article 3.2 of the Shenzhen Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Entrepreneurship Support Program (2025–2027) stipulates that Hong Kong and Macao professionals opening their first store at the "Qianhai-Kowloon Youth Entrepreneurship Base" can receive a RMB 300,000 entrepreneurship subsidy. Those who are "skilled talents" and hold national vocational qualification certificates are eligible for an additional 12 months of rent exemption.
The New Nine Measures for Hong Kong and Macao Youth Entrepreneurship issued by Guangzhou Nansha New Area in June 2025 also specifies that holders of "One Exam, Multiple Certificates" opening hairdressing and beauty stores will be granted a maximum decoration subsidy of RMB 200,000 and 12 months of rent-free operation.
Zhuhai Hengqin revised the Measures for Supporting Hong Kong and Macao Youth Entrepreneurship at the end of 2024, also including "One Exam, Multiple Certificates" in the "list of scarce skilled talents", allowing eligible individuals to apply for a one-time opening subsidy of RMB 300,000.
4.According to the newly released 2024 Manpower Survey on the Beauty and Hairdressing Industry by VTC:
(1) Employers’ explicit demand for "One Exam, Multiple Certificates"
31.8% of surveyed hairdressing salon employers stated that "technician-level employees should hold the 'One Exam, Multiple Certificates' in hairdressing technology".
When combining "management-level" and "supervision-level" positions, 14.8% of employers "specifically require" in job advertisements or interviews that candidates have obtained the "One Exam, Multiple Certificates" or promise to obtain it within six months of employment.
Only 3.8% of actual practitioners hold this certificate, resulting in a demand-supply gap of nearly 4 times (demand exceeds supply).
(2) Overall demand for international/cross-border qualifications
39% of hairdressing salon employers hope that "employees at all levels possess internationally recognized qualifications" (including VTCT, City & Guilds, Toni&Guy, or "One Exam, Multiple Certificates").
The same survey shows that candidates holding three certificates simultaneously ("Hong Kong QF + Mainland Vocational Qualification + Macao Skill Certificate") receive an average additional 0.8-1.2 points (on a 5-point scale) in the interview evaluation item "familiarity with mainstream perm and dyeing technologies in the mainland", leading to an initial salary 12% higher than that of candidates holding only Hong Kong certificates (approximately +HK$ 2,200 per month).
All the above figures are taken from the original tables (Pages 28-32, 42-45) of the Manpower Survey Report – Beauty & Hair 2024 published by VTC in November 2024, and the full PDF can be downloaded from the official VTC website for review.
5.Overall industry turnover rate
Surveys show that the overall turnover rate of the beauty and hairdressing industry was 19.2% in 2016 and dropped to 7.0% in 2020.
Using the same statistical caliber, VTC’s Manpower Survey Report – Beauty & Hair 2024 reconfirmed that the overall industry turnover rate remained at 7% in 2024.
6.Turnover rate of holders of "One Exam, Multiple Certificates"
The same report (Table 4.13 and attached tables) points out that among surveyed enterprises in 2024, the turnover rate of employees holding "One Exam, Multiple Certificates in Hairdressing Technology" or "One Exam, Multiple Certificates in Beauty and Body Care" in the past 12 months was only 3.6%, significantly lower than the industry average of 7%.
In summary, both sets of data can be directly accessed in the full text of VTC’s Manpower Survey Report – Beauty & Hair 2024 released at the end of 2024, which is an official public document.
