Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy SHB40121

Whether you have some salon experience or you’re wanting to launch a career in beauty, this custom designed course will train you to deliver a full range of services as a professional beauty therapist.

If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation. You may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and complete your studies faster. Please note - limitations do apply.

During this course, you'll learn how to perform facial and body treatments, waxing, and nail services, as well as the art of make-up application, and other specialist treatments, such as eyelash extension procedures. You will also learn how to recommend skincare products and cosmetics.

The duration for the course is maximum 18 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

Entry Requirements

There are no mandated education entry requirements for this qualification, per the SHB Hairdressing and Beauty Services Training Package.

There are no mandatory Open Colleges entry requirements.

It is also recommended that students

• Are 18 years old (note: students under 18 will need permission from a parent or guardian to enrol)
• Have language, literacy and numeracy skills that ensure the ability to work independently and use own familiar support resources, communicate effectively via email, and identify relevant information from a range of written texts. These skills are equivalent to those that would be required to successfully complete
• Have access to a modern computer with video/audio playback capabilities and high-speed internet
• Have access to Microsoft Office or equivalent
• Have basic computing skills, including ability to make a short video
• Have access to a digital video recording device to save and upload video/image files to OpenSpace, e.g., mobile phone/smartphone.

Minimum age

You will need to be at least 18 years old.

Equipment and tools

Access to others

This course includes a requirement to record video and/ or audio roleplays. These will require participation by 1-2 other people sourced by you.

Tools and equipment

You will need to purchase specific tools and equipment for this course. Click here to view the complete list of materials, equipment and tools required for this course.

Physical Requirements

You will need to have the requisite physical fitness to undertake work placement in a Beauty Salon. Some treatment services will require you to stand for periods of up to 90 mins.

Language, Literacy and Numeracy

Our free online assessment tool can help give you an idea of the language, literacy and numeracy skills needed to study a VET course. This tool can also help you determine your learning level and help you plan your future studies. You can access the Language, Literacy and Numeracy tool here.

• By undertaking a work placement you’ll get a chance to put the knowledge you’ve learned on your course into practice.
• You’ll also develop practical, on-the-job skills and could make contacts that could help you find a job once you graduate.
• Work placement is often the most rewarding part of a student’s course. Working face-to-face with clients and colleagues in your chosen field makes a huge difference to your career confidence.

You’ll need to find a work placement yourself and ensure it’s approved by Open Colleges. When looking for a suitable work placement host organisation, have a think about the following:

• Are you already working or volunteering in the industry your course is related to? You could potentially do your work placement at your current place of work or have contacts that could recommend a suitable work place. Ask around!
• If you’re entering a new industry, do some research and start thinking about organisations you could approach. We have plenty of resources available to help with approaching and finding a suitable work placement organisation.

All costs of work placement, including any placement fees charged by the host organisation (whether to the student or Open Colleges), cost of statutory checks and vaccinations, travel, accommodation, and uniforms are the responsibility of the student. These fees will vary and are dependent on your location within Australia.

• Costs for statutory checks will range between $50 - $250 dependent on the type of check you select and your state.
• Costs for vaccinations will very between practitioners, please refer to your GP for approximate costs.
• Placement fees will vary, please discuss this with your intended host organisation for approximate costs.

The workplace will need to provide nail and beauty treatments and have access to a full comprehensive range of professional products for each practical treatment performed. Examples of suitable workplaces include beauty salons and beauty/retreat spas and nail salons.

You may be required to complete work placement in multiple salons if your chosen salon does not provide all of the required services. Only work placement block 1 can be completed in a nail salon.

You will be required to complete a minimum of 350 hours of work placement, which will be split into three blocks

Work placement block 1 – 170 hours and may be commenced after successful completion of Modules 1 – 5 and your work placement preparation activities.

Work placement block 2 – 106 hours and may be commenced after successful completion of Modules 7 – 13 and your work placement preparation activities.

Work placement block 3 – 74 hours and may be commenced after successful completion of Modules 15– 20 and your work placement preparation activities.

You will be required to wear closed toed rubber soled shoes and have your hair tied back. Workplaces may specify a uniform they would like the student to wear. You will also be required to be respectful of the salon and employees, act in a professional manner at all times, and refrain from using inappropriate language.

Please note that your host organisation may require you to provide an up to date immunisation history prior to the commencement of your work placement. Open Colleges has no control over this requirement so if you are unable to provide this, you will need to discuss it with your intended Host Organisation.

It should also be noted that some immunisations, such as Hepatitis B and COVID-19, need multiple injections to be administered over a specific time period before you are deemed immune. It is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your work placement.

Your supervisor is required to have completed the Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy (or higher) and have 3 years of relevant industry experience.