I need some advice/experiences

When DH and I decided to start a family, the idea was always that I would be a SAHM until the kids started school, and use those first few years to do further study and get my qualifications, so that when they started school I could get back into work - but in a career rather than just a crappy part-time job I had no interest in.
DH has been doing night courses at TAFE in order to build his resume and find better-paid work, and I'm so proud of him. We've been talking the last few nights, and he has been really supportive of me finally taking the plunge and pursuing my education.

Ever since I can remember, my 'dream job' (as far as realistic goals go, I mean I'd prefer to be a rock star but somehow I don't think that'll ever happen!) has been hairdressing (and beauty therapy).
DH is more than happy for me to go in this direction, as it's an actual trade qualification kwim? Something useful, that will actually get me a job rather than being a useless piece of paper to stick in my resume.
The course is quite expensive (around $10k for Cert III, I did Cert II in high school but would happily pay for it if I had to do it over again), but DH says he's more than happy to pay for it if it's going to make me a qualified hairdresser and give me the opportunity to get full-time employment. So I'm not bothering to pursue an apprenticeship (which is usually how students pay for this course) if it's not necessary. From what I have researched, I think it's possible to do Cert III without an apprenticeship (ie full-time TAFE, 3 days a week), but I just have a couple of concerns.

First of all - I don't know if it's true that I won't need any 'extras' like work experience to get the qualification. Every hairdresser I know has done an apprenticeship, but the kids, I feel, are too young for me to go into basically full-time work (combined with study) right now. But I want to get started on my education ASAP. Has anybody, or does anybody know of anybody, who has become a fully certified hairdresser *without* doing an apprenticeship (ie just TAFE and getting work experience in their salons? We have a fully functional hair salon at the TAFE here, is that enough to mark all my assessments etc?)?

Second - Is there a way I can do hairdressing externally, so I don't have to put the girls in daycare for so many hours a week? I would prefer to do the study at home and organise days to go in and do practical assessments etc, so I'm not paying for childcare that I don't really need to. I'm confident that I wouldn't need a classroom environment in order to study - I can easily motivate myself to hit the books after they go down for the night/while I have a quiet moment etc, and I would prefer to be at home with my babies if I can.

Third - if I *do* have to put the girls in daycare to study, what kinds of assistance can I get from Centrelink/FAO, and approximately how out-of-pocket will I be? DH says $10k for the courses is no problem, but adding three days a week of childcare for 2 kids is just way beyond our budget, especially if it's already stretched to the limit to pay for TAFE. I'm sure Centrelink/FAO would be able to help out with that, but I just don't know how much. I'm going to make an appointment to talk to them once I figure out a bit more about my course options (ie can I do it externally, when can I start etc), but in the meantime any experience you girls have had with juggling childcare and study would be helpful.

Oh, and fourth - Is it Cert III or Cert IV that means you're fully qualified? I always thought it was Cert IV, whenever I see ads in the job section of the paper they always ask for Cert IV hairdressers, but the TAFE site reckons Cert III means you're fully qualified? And I'm not sure my local TAFE offers Cert IV, only Cert III, so wt..?

If you managed to get through all that, you deserve a chocolate Thanks in advance for any advice!!