Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy

Our industry professionals are here to teach you the skills for your career in the beauty industry. You will learn a range of beauty therapy treatments and services, including:

• facial treatments
• advanced facial treatments
• lash and brow treatments
• manicure and pedicure
• make-up
• waxing
• body massage
• body treatments
• advice on and selling retail skin care and cosmetic products
• lash and brow treatments
• spray tanning
• eyelash extension
• demonstrating and selling retail skin care and cosmetic products
• safe hygiene and work practices
• environmental sustainability.

The combination of classroom and practical exercises means you will graduate with skills needed to work as a competent and work-ready beauty therapist.

Studying at Victoria University Polytechnic will help you get a foot in the door of the growing beauty, massage and make-up industry. Find out about employment growth for beauty therapists at Labour Market Insights.

Work is typically conducted in spas and salons. You could also work as a beauty consultant for international cosmetic companies, or as a freelance beauty consultant working from home.

You'll be qualified to provide the following services:

• facials
• body treatments (exfoliation and massage)
• lash and brow treatments
• manicure and pedicure
• waxing services
• make-up application.

To be awarded SHB40121 Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy, a student must complete a total of Twenty-three (23) units of competency, consisting of:

• Eighteen (18) core units, and;
• Five (5) elective units, of which:
• One (1) unit from Group A: Infection control
• at least Two (2) units from Group B: Elective units
• up to Two (2) units from the list below, elsewhere in the SHB Training Package, or any other current Training Package or accredited course.

The selection of electives must be guided by the job outcome sought, local industry requirements and the complexity of skills appropriate to the AQF level of this qualification.
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the 'course structure and units' below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback.
The course structure is made up of the following core and elective units:

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.