Diploma of Beauty Therapy
SHB - Hairdressing and Beauty Services
Beauty therapy diploma covering facials, body treatments, makeup, manicures and pedicures.
Entry requirements
- Year 11 or equivalent
What you will learn
The SHB50121 is the comprehensive beauty therapy diploma covering a full range of salon and spa services. Core units include conducting client consultations, providing skin treatments and facials with electrical modalities (microcurrent, ultrasound, LED), waxing and hair removal, performing lash and brow services, providing makeup application, designing and producing nail enhancements, providing body massage and aromatherapy treatments, and applying spray tanning. You also study skin anatomy and physiology, contraindications to treatments, and salon business operations including stock and retail.
Skills you build
- Skin analysis and consultation for treatment planning
- Facial treatments and electrical modality use
- Body massage techniques (Swedish, hot stone, aromatherapy)
- Waxing and lash and brow services
- Manicure, pedicure and nail enhancement
- Day, bridal and special event makeup
- Retail sales and skincare product knowledge
How the course runs
Most students study full-time over 12 to 18 months. Around 1,200 to 1,500 hours of formal training plus mandatory work placement of around 300 hours. Heavily practical, with most time spent in TAFE training salons providing services on paying public clients under supervision. Some providers offer part-time and evening pathways for working beauty therapists.
How you will be assessed
- Practical service demonstrations on paying clients
- Skin analysis and treatment plan case studies
- Written knowledge tests on anatomy, physiology and ingredients
- Workplace observations during placement
- Product knowledge and retail interaction roleplays
Workplace and placement
Around 300 hours of supervised work placement is typical, in beauty salons, day spas, resorts or medi-spa clinics. Placements arranged through RTO industry partnerships. Beauty therapist wages are set under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award with above-award rates common in high-end day spas and medi-clinics. Many therapists work as chair-renters or sole traders after qualifying.
Typical employers
- Day spas and resort spas
- High-street beauty salons
- Medi-spa clinics offering paramedical treatments
- Cruise ships and luxury hotels
- Mobile beauty therapy businesses
- Cosmetic retail chains for makeup artistry roles
Pay after this qualification
$52,000 - $75,000 per year
Source: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/explore-careers/occupation/beauty-therapists. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
Is this the right course for you?
You probably thrive here if
- You can spend hours doing close-up detail work
- You can keep a clean, hygienic work area
- You can build rapport with clients
- You have steady hands for waxing and lash work
- You can sell retail products without being pushy
It is probably not for you if
- You react badly to product fragrances or chemicals
- You have a back, neck or wrist condition
- You struggle with detailed precision work
- You cannot tolerate intimate client touch
After you finish
After the Diploma you can pursue Certificate IV in Lash and Brow Specialist (SHB40221), specialist training in laser hair removal and IPL (requires state licensing in QLD, WA and Tasmania), cosmetic injectables training (delegated under nurse or doctor), and Diploma of Salon Management (SHB50221) for management roles. Bachelor of Health Science (Dermal Therapies) at Torrens, ACAP and other private providers builds on the diploma toward paramedical aesthetic work.