Course description
Would you like to become a qualified beauty therapist working in a salon, day spa, resort spa, or international spa? This diverse beauty therapy course equips you with advanced skills and knowledge to work at a senior level in the industry.
You’ll develop practical skills and theoretical knowledge in beauty therapy fundamentals, business marketing and planning, and advanced spa therapy treatments, including waxing, lash and brow tinting, manicures and pedicures, facials, and massage; relaxation, hot stone, aromatherapy and lymphatic.
Information sessions
5:30pm
Auditorium (H1.03)
Geelong City
You will gain valuable hands-on experience at our practical clinic The Studio, at the Geelong City Campus. Our Diploma program is well-regarded in the industry. Our graduates have achieved a 100% employment rate for the last two years!
Work placement/industry experience
Work experience is not required in this course but is recommended, with an option to undertake 80 hours of placement organised by the student. *If undertaken, please note that you may be required to travel outside your usual training location to attend work experience. This may include other regional areas or suburbs of Melbourne.
Possible career outcomes
- Senior beauty therapist
- Beauty therapy salon manager/owner
- Spa therapist/manager/owner
- Beauty trainer
- Beauty sales representative
Applications & attendance
How to apply
- Follow our instructions for how to apply for a course.
- Apply online by selecting an intake from the Applications & attendance table below.
If you need help, visit Customer Service or request application support via email.
Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.
| Intake | Applications | Attendance | Classes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 February Geelong City Campus |
Open: 1 Aug 2024 Close: 1 Feb 2025 |
Class Day | Full Time Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 9am to 4pm | Apply |
Class times are indicative and may change before the course starts. Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessments outside class, varying by course and skill level, or may be required to attend classes both on campus and online.
Follow the link for more information on attendance mode definitions and offer timing.
An application doesn't guarantee a place in the course.
Many courses have limited spots and may fill quickly, so apply early and ensure your application is fully completed, as only successful applicants will receive offers, issued as soon as possible. If numbers are low, intakes or courses may be cancelled.
Entrance requirements
- Applicants must be 17 years and over at the time of course commencement.
- Applicants are expected to have literacy and numeracy skills at Year 11 or Year 12 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 3.
- You must reside in Victoria to access Victorian Government Subsidised Fees and any incentive such as Free TAFE. Full fees apply to all non-Victorian residents.
Personal Learning Requirements
There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.
Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.
Pre-training review
Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills.
In order to prepare for your LLN, you may wish to attempt some practise tests in which you will find similar questions (with solutions too). These practice tests are not VSL approved but may be similar in question type and level of difficulty to what may be asked in the VSL approved LLN. Click here for practice tests. Please note, the VSL approved LLN cannot be resat within 3 months of undertaking it.
Units & assessments
| Core Units | Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advise on beauty products and services | SHBBCCS005 | 30 |
| Apply safe hygiene, health and work practices | SHBXWHS003 | 40 |
| Comply with organisational requirements within a personal services environment | SHBXIND003 | 45 |
| Conduct salon financial transactions | SHBXCCS007 | 25 |
| Design and apply make-up | SHBBMUP009 | 45 |
| Incorporate knowledge of body structures and functions into beauty therapy | SHBBSSC002 | 60 |
| Incorporate knowledge of skin structure and functions into beauty therapy | SHBBSSC001 | 60 |
| Maintain ethical and professional standards when using social media and online platforms | SIRXOSM002 | 50 |
| Maintain health and wellbeing in a personal services setting | SHBXCCS005 | 40 |
| Promote healthy nutritional options in a beauty therapy context | SHBXCCS006 | 40 |
| Provide body massages | SHBBBOS008 | 100 |
| Provide facial treatments and skin care recommendations | SHBBFAS005 | 100 |
| Provide lash and brow services | SHBBFAS004 | 30 |
| Provide manicure and pedicare services | SHBBNLS007 | 60 |
| Provide salon services to clients | SHBXCCS008 | 30 |
| Provide specialised facial treatments | SHBBFAS006 | 100 |
| Provide waxing services | SHBBHRS010 | 100 |
| Research and apply beauty industry information | SHBBRES003 | 20 |
| Sell to the retail customer | SIRXSLS001 | 20 |
| Use electric file equipment for nail services | SHBBNLS011 | 30 |
| Elective Units | Code | Hours |
| Interpret the chemical composition and physical effects of cosmetic products | SHBBCCS007 | 30 |
| Maintain infection control standards | SHBBINF002 | 75 |
| Prepare personalised aromatic plant oil blends for beauty treatments | SHBBCCS006 | 35 |
| Provide aromatherapy massages | SHBBBOS009 | 80 |
| Provide micro-dermabrasion treatments | SHBBSKS009 | 40 |
| Provide spa therapies | SHBBSPA006 | 80 |
| Provide stone therapy massages | SHBBSPA007 | 45 |
| Provide superficial lymph massage treatments | SHBBBOS011 | 80 |
| Work in a spa therapies framework | SHBBSPA005 | 20 |
Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.
Assessment is based on:
- Hands-on work
- Written assignments
- Team Projects
- Industry placement
Fees
| Fees | Rate | Unit | Indicative Course Hours | Indicative Tuition | Indicative Gov Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Tuition | AUD $7.02 | per hour | 1500 | AUD $10,530.00 | AUD $10,660.00 |
| Full Fee Tuition | AUD $12.92 | per hour | 1500 | AUD $19,380.00 |
| Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resources | AUD $1,015.00 | Charged at enrolment | |||
| Education Levy | AUD $225.00 | Charged at enrolment | |||
| Additional Cost | AUD $390.00 | Once | required purchase | ||
| Materials | AUD $3,010.00 | Once | charged at enrolment | ||
All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.
Which fee will I pay?
Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees & Payments pages.
Fee help
Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.
Vet student loans
VET Student Loans are available for eligible students for tuition fees ONLY.
To be eligible to apply for a VET Student Loan, applicants will be required to:
- undertake an independent assessment test to ensure they possess Level 3 in reading and numeracy, or
- provide their Year 12 certificate, or
- provide evidence of completion of a Certificate IV or above.
Loan cap for this course
$18,097
Further study options
Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.