How to become a Beauty Therapist

Beauty therapists apply face and body treatments, and provide advice about skin care and cosmetics.

Personal requirements for a Beauty Therapist

Neat personal appearance at all times
No allergies to beauty products
Pleasant and tactful when dealing with customers
Interest in people
Good hand-eye coordination
Sensitive when dealing with clients for body and facial treatments

Education & Training for a Beauty Therapist

To become a beauty therapist you usually have to complete a VET qualification in beauty therapy. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. You can also become a beauty therapist through an apprenticeship or traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Additional information

Before selecting a course, check with a number of potential employers to make sure that the course meets their requirements. Employers are less likely to consider people who have completed a short course or who have qualifications that are not recognised by the industry. Beauty therapists with nationally accredited qualifications may work throughout Australia.Working as a sales assistant in a pharmacy or retail store can provide relevant experience and familiarity with products for those wishing to train as beauticians or beauty therapists.

Duties & Tasks of a Beauty Therapist

Beauty therapists:

Carry out skin analysis and give advice about skin and body care
Perform facial or body massage and aromatherapy treatment
Analyse body type and advise on exercise programs and nutrition
Use a variety of treatments and electrical equipment to treat skin and body conditions
Remove facial and body hair by electrolysis or waxing
Provide advice and support to clients following cosmetic surgery
Recognise problems and refer clients to medical practitioners such as dermatologists, plastic surgeons, endocrinologists, podiatrists, chiropractors and physiotherapists
Apply make-up
Perform manicures, pedicures, nail extensions and eyelash and brow tinting
Perform reception duties (such as receiving bookings and arranging appointments)
Maintain client records
Provide advice about and sell cosmetic products and related beauty equipment.

Tasks

Providing advice on and selling cosmetic products
Receiving bookings, arranging appointments and maintaining client records
Discussing client needs, analysing skin characteristics and advising on suitable skin care, treatments and application of make-up
Evaluating beauty therapy processes and products
Performing facial and body treatments such as massages
Performing manicures and pedicures including decorative nail art, application of artificial nails, nail repair, and other specialised hand and foot treatments
Treating unwanted hair through waxing, bleaching, tinting, depilation and electrolysis
Applying general cosmetic and corrective make-up

Employment Opportunities for a Beauty Therapist

Beauty therapists work mainly in private salons and hairdressing establishments, and many are self-employed. Some beauty therapists are employed by cosmetic companies to work in large department stores that have sections specialising in skin care and cosmetics.

Specializations

Beauty Consultant

A beauty consultant an experienced senior sales assistant who promotes one or more brands of cosmetic products in department stores and pharmacies by providing advice about the purchase and application of cosmetics.

Beautician

A beautician provides waxing, manicure, pedicure, eyelash and brow tinting and make-up application services.

Beautician

A beautician provides waxing, manicure, pedicure, eyelash and brow tinting and make-up application services.

Beauty Consultant

Beauty Therapist

Beauty therapists apply face and body treatments, and provide advice about skin care and cosmetics.

Average age
33
Future Growth
Positive
Gender Share
98% female
Average full-time
41 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,200
Skill level rating
High skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
42%
Employment Size
36,600
Employment by state
ACT: 1.4%
NSW: 32.6%
NT: 0.6%
QLD: 20.4%
SA: 6.3%
TAS: 1.5%
VIC: 25.2%
WA: 12.0%
Age brackets
15-19: 3.9%
20-24: 16.9%
25-34: 36.3%
35-44: 23.5%
45-54: 14%
55-59: 2.9%
60-64: 1.4%
65 and Over: 1%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 45.7%
Bachelor degree: 6.5%
Below Year 10: 0%
Certificate III/IV: 22.1%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 1.5%
Year 10 and below: 7.3%
Year 11: 2.4%
Year 12: 14.5%
Years 11 & 10: 5.6%