Diploma of Beauty Therapy

This beauty-therapy course will advance your beauty-treatment skills and prepare you for management positions in salons and spas.

Develop your knowledge of the theory and science behind beauty treatments and techniques, and gain extensive hands-on experience. You will complete a practical placement in a salon of your choice, as well as learning in our beauty salon and the classroom.

This course provides training in basic and advanced beauty therapy techniques and services including:

• facial treatments
• lash and brow treatments
• manicures and pedicures
• make-up
• waxing
• body massage and treatments
• spa treatments
• advice on and selling of retail skin care and cosmetic products.

You will also learn valuable and transferable business and management skills for running a beauty salon.

The beauty, massage and make-up industry is growing. The Diploma of Beauty Therapy SHB50121 is the highest level of qualification in the beauty industry. Job prospects are good, with employment for beauty therapists expected to grow (see Labour Market Insights).

As a qualified beauty therapist, you could find employment in spas and salons here or overseas. This qualification prepares you to manage your own beauty salon and employ staff. You could also work from home as a freelance beauty consultant.

Potential career options include:

• salon beauty therapist
• salon manager or owner
• department store or pharmacy cosmetic consultant
• spa therapist
• health spa or resort manager
• spa therapist on a cruise ship
• beauty consultant for international cosmetic companies
• freelance therapist or beauty consultant
• cosmetic or beauty equipment sales representative
• beauty editor or journalist
• beauty educator.

To be awarded SHB50121 Diploma of Beauty Therapy, a student must complete a total of Twenty-nine (29) units of competency, consisting of:

• Twenty (20) core units, and;

• Nine (9) elective units, of which:

• One (1) unit from Group A: Infection control
• all units from any one of Group B, C, or D:
• Group B: Electrolysis/Diathermy
• Group C: Relaxation Massage
• Group D: Spa Treatments
• remaining units from the list below, elsewhere in the SHB Training Package, or any other current training package or accredited course.

Victoria University Polytechnic offers the following specialisations:
All units from Group D electives must be selected for award of the Diploma of Beauty Therapy (Spa Treatments).

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.

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.