How to become a beauty therapist in Australia
Beauty Therapists provide skin analyses, facial therapies, skin-care treatments and body treatments such as massage to clients.
The all-jobs median is $1,852 a week. Jobs in the beauty therapists group are projected to grow 10.6% between May 2025 and May 2035, slower than the 13.3% projected for all jobs. Projections are indicative, not forecasts, and JSA says they don't yet reflect generative AI.
What the job involves
- Discussing client needs, analysing skin characteristics and advising on suitable skin care, treatments and application of make-up
- Applying general cosmetic and corrective make-up
- Performing manicures and pedicures including decorative nail art, application of artificial nails, nail repair, and other specialised hand and foot treatments
- Performing facial and body treatments such as massages
- Treating unwanted hair through waxing, bleaching, tinting, depilation and electrolysis
- Evaluating beauty therapy processes and products
How to get there
What it usually takes. A Certificate III or IV, including at least two years of on-the-job training where it is a Certificate III. This is the skill level Jobs and Skills Australia gives the beauty therapists group, and some roles differ.
What people in the job have. Highest qualification held: 11% a degree or higher, 41% a diploma, 18% a Certificate III or IV.
Apprenticeship or traineeship. Beauty Therapist is on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List (1 April 2026), with qualifications including Certificate III in Beauty Services, Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy, Diploma of Beauty Therapy. Find a provider at Your Career or your state's TAFE.
Many jobs also need registration, a licence or a specific accredited course. Check the professional body or regulator before you choose.
Courses that can lead here
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We haven't matched this job to courses in the admissions lists. It usually starts with training on the job or at a registered training provider, not a course through an admissions centre. See Your Career.
Does it fit your interests?
Strongest interest areas for this kind of work: Realistic, Social, Conventional.
From O*NET ratings for "Skincare Specialists", the closest US occupation in JSA's correspondence (a acceptable match). US ratings are a guide to Australian jobs, not a measurement of them.
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Share your storyJob data: © Commonwealth of Australia, Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profiles, February 2026 and Employment Projections, May 2025 to May 2035 (Victoria University), CC BY 4.0. Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO 2013 Version 1.2 to O*NET-SOC 2019 Taxonomy correspondence.
Apprenticeships: Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Apprenticeships Priority List, 1 April 2026.
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Curve ATAR has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.