Diploma of Beauty Therapy
SHB50121
Length
1 Year (full time)
1 Year (part time)
Study Mode
On Campus & Online
Workplace & On Campus
Diploma of Beauty Therapy - SHB50121
Course Overview
Course start dates are indicative and are subject to change. Students will receive information from their teacher upon enrolment including a confirmed start date and timetable. If applicable, students will also receive information about a course induction and directions on where to go on the first day.
This qualification is a comprehensive training program to prepare students with the skills to become a Beauty Therapist. Our course covers all aspects of beauty therapy, including facial treatments, body massage and treatments, hair removal, lash and brow treatments, nail and make-up services, and more.
As a beauty therapist, individuals will have the opportunity to provide expert beauty advice, recommend treatments and services, and sell retail skincare and cosmetic products. Graduates will work autonomously, using judgement to plan and select appropriate equipment, services, and techniques to ensure the best results for their clients.
Our course emphasises the self-directed application of knowledge and skills, with a focus on developing expertise in specific areas. With this qualification, students will be accountable for their personal outputs and ready to work in a variety of settings, including beauty salons and spas.
GOTAFE offers a fully articulated pathway that allows a student to progress from an entry level qualification through to completion of the Diploma qualification with various exit points.
Careers & study pathways
Where can this course take me?
Once qualified Beauty Therapists will typically gain employment in beauty salons and day spas.
Further study
After graduating, participants might like to undertake further study in the Bachelor of Dermal Therapies.
Course details
Upcoming dates and times
Choose a location below to learn more about when this course is offered and on which days you’ll need to attend.
Shepparton - Fryers Street
(4 commencing soon)
Block 7 - Starts On: 07-Oct-2025 - Part time - 9.30am - 4.00pm - Workplace & On Campus - Applications Close: 16-Sep-2025
Open From: 02-Feb-2026 - Workplace - Part time - Various - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus, Online and Workplace
CIII Beauty Services - Starts On: 14-Jul-2026 - Full time - Tuesday & Thursday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus & Online - Applications Close: 07-Jul-2026
CIV Beauty Therapy - Starts On: 06-Oct-2026 - Full time - Tuesday & Thursday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus & Online - Applications Close: 29-Sep-2026
Wangaratta - Docker Street
(4 commencing soon)
Block 7 - Starts On: 06-Oct-2025 - Part time - 9.30am - 4.00pm - Workplace & On Campus - Applications Close: 15-Sep-2025
Open From: 02-Feb-2026 - Workplace - Part time - Various - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus, Online and Workplace
CIII Beauty Services - Starts On: 13-Jul-2026 - Full time - Monday & Tuesday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus & Online - Applications Close: 06-Jul-2026
CIV Beauty Therapy - Starts On: 05-Oct-2026 - Full time - Monday & Tuesday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus & Online - Applications Close: 28-Sep-2026
Study units
Take a look at some of the subjects you’ll be studying when you take this course.
This course requires a total of 29 units: 20 core and 9 elective.
Core units
20 unit(s)
- SHBBBOS008 Provide body massages
- SHBBCCS005 Advise on beauty products and services
- SHBBFAS004 Provide lash and brow services
- SHBBFAS005 Provide facial treatments and skin care recommendations
- SHBBFAS006 Provide specialised facial treatments
- SHBBHRS010 Provide waxing services
- SHBBMUP009 Design and apply make-up
- SHBBNLS007 Provide manicure and pedicare services
- SHBBNLS011 Use electric file equipment for nail services
- SHBBRES003 Research and apply beauty industry information
- SHBBSSC001 Incorporate knowledge of skin structure and functions into beauty therapy
- SHBBSSC002 Incorporate knowledge of body structures and functions into beauty therapy
- SHBXCCS005 Maintain health and wellbeing in a personal services setting
- SHBXCCS006 Promote healthy nutritional options in a beauty therapy context
- SHBXCCS007 Conduct salon financial transactions
- SHBXCCS008 Provide salon services to clients
- SHBXIND003 Comply with organisational requirements within a personal services environment
- SHBXWHS003 Apply safe hygiene, health and work practices
- SIRXOSM002 Maintain ethical and professional standards when using social media and online platforms
- SIRXSLS001 Sell to the retail customer
Elective units
9 unit(s)
- SHBBBOS007 Apply cosmetic tanning products
- SHBBBOS009 Provide aromatherapy massages
- SHBBBOS010 Use reflexology relaxation techniques in beauty treatments
- SHBBINF002 Maintain infection control standards
- SHBBMUP008 Apply eyelash extensions
- SHBBSKS009 Provide micro-dermabrasion treatments
- SHBBSPA006 Provide spa therapies
- SHBBSPA007 Provide stone therapy massages
- SHBXCCS009 Greet and prepare clients for salon services
Attendance & commitment
General public blended delivery | 1-year course length | Full-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend on campus two days per week (Monday, Tuesday - Wangaratta and Tuesday & Thursday - Shepparton ) from 9am - 4pm.
- Attend 4 additional 'Salon' days each week at the end of Terms 2, 3 and 4 for assessment needs (12 in total).
- Attend online theory class weekly for one hour x 40 sessions.
- Spend approximately 10 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
Workplace blended delivery | 1-year course length | Part-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Be employed in the beauty industry for a minimum of 2 days per week and sign a Workplace Learning Agreement.
- Complete the practical requirements of their training in their own Workplace or in GOTAFE salon/spa where the workplace does not provide the service.
- Attend on campus one day per month (Monday 9 am - 4 pm) from February to November for 10 training days, 6 hours per day.
- Attend fortnightly online training sessions for up to an hour (20 sessions)
- Spend approximately 10 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision and completion of written assessments.
- Meet with their trainer at their place of work 4 times per year to consolidate their learning in their workplace.
Students need to be employed in the beauty industry for a minimum of 2 days per week and sign a Workplace Learning Agreement for employed students form.
General public blended delivery | 0.5 year course length | Full-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend on campus two days per week (Monday, Tuesday - Wangaratta and Tuesday & Thursday - Shepparton ) from 9:30am - 4pm (6 hours per day).
- Attend a weekly online class (up to one hour).
- Attend 10 Salon Days on campus in total, for 6 hours per day (4 days in Term 3, 6 days in Term 4).
- Spend approximately 10 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Provide live models to meet the required hours of supervised practical assessment.
This upskilling program is designed for students who have completed SHB30121 Certificate III in Beauty Services, or equivalent. Students will receive credit transfers into the Diploma.
General public blended delivery | 0.5 year course length | Full-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend on campus two days per week (Monday, Tuesday - Wangaratta and Tuesday & Thursday - Shepparton ) from 9:30am - 4pm.
- Attend 4 Salon Days on campus per term (6 days in total, 6 hours per day on a Wednesday).
- Spend approximately 10 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
This upskilling program is designed for students who have completed SHB40121 Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy, or equivalent. Students will receive credit transfers into the Diploma.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods may include:
- Practical observations
- Knowledge questions
- Portfolios
Before you begin
Entry requirements
GOTAFE entry requirements
Before being accepted into this course applicants must:
- Complete a Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online test to ensure the required literacy & numeracy levels for the course are met.
- Undertake a Pre-training Review by interview to ensure the course suits their needs and aspirations, and that they are likely to complete the course successfully.
- Prospective Traineeship or Apprenticeship students are required to apply through an Apprenticeship Network Provider with their employer to organise their apprenticeship contract before applying for this course.
Industry requirements:
- This is a physically demanding industry that requires long hours on your feet, it essential that you are able to meet the physical requirements of this qualification.
- Ability to conduct yourself professionally and meet a diverse range of clients' needs.
- This industry requires you to complete strenuous physical work with a range of clients including, but not limited to massage, body treatments and waxing.
- It is important to note that when in industry, most Salons operate during the week and also involve weekend work and late nights.
Student resources
Students must have:
- Laptop/Computer with internet access.
- Access to digital camera or video camera for visual and audio assessment tasks.
- General stationary (Pens, pencils, rulers).
- A tunic (provided by GOTAFE): Students can wear black pants, or 3/4 pants underneath the tunic. No denim, active wear or tights are to be worn underneath the uniform.
- Closed-in shoes at all times, minimal jewellery & long hair will need to be up in a bun/tied up.
Enrolment
Please note: Eligible individuals who wish to access a government-subsidised place, must participate in a Pre-training Review. This will consider your:
- Aspirations/career goals
- Educational attainment and capability
- Literacy and numeracy skills
- Suitability for Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer
Skills recognition / Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Skills Recognition is an assessment only process that may result in credits towards a part or full qualification. There is no formal training involved, although you may choose to complete further training as a result of the assessment process.
You can apply for Skills Recognition before you enrol in the qualification you are seeking. You can apply for Skills Recognition through one or both of the following processes:
- Credit Transfer for formal training that might be equivalent to a new qualification or partial qualification.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for people who have relevant and current skills and knowledge that they have gained through non-formal or informal learning i.e. work or life experience.
Fees and payments
Fees and costs
GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding to eligible individuals.
Please note that the fees on this webpage, for this particular course:
- are correct at the time of publishing for those enrolling in 2025 and may change without notice.
- will be discussed with applications as part of the application process to ensure it is understood what is being paid for and which fee rates they may be eligible for.
Course Fees consist of 3 different components:
- Student Tuition Fee - cover the costs of training and assessment. These fees vary across courses and are calculated based on a rate per nominal hour enrolled in. The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Circumstances may include:
- an individual’s eligibility for Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
- an individual’s eligibility for concession rates on Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
- ineligible individuals who are required to pay the full fees for tuition and other costs.
- Material Fee - where applicable, cover the costs of classroom consumables, handouts, and booklets, e-Learning resources, and associated license access fees and excursions.
- Student Services Fee (SSF) - contributes to the provision of student engagement, learning and support services. SSF is a non-refundable annual fee that does not apply to short-course participants.
Additionally, some courses require students to purchase or supply textbooks, kits, tools, uniforms and personal protection equipment. A full list with associated costs will be provided to you at your course information session or during the pre-training review Interview.
GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your fees.
Learn more about fees, charges, refunds and payment options
Student support
As an enrolled student at GOTAFE you may access a wide range of academic support services to assist you to meet the academic challenges of your course from our Learning Support Unit.
Learning support
A free and confidential service to help you build the foundation skills you need to be successful at TAFE. Improve your english language, maths and/or writing skills; enhance your computer, exam and study skills.
Learn more about our learning support services
Library
Our library team are passionate about supporting students to achieve their study goals. They have subject guides, referencing help, and online resources to assist you with you assessments.
Find how to reach out to our library in Shepparton
Jobs and study options
Our Skills and Jobs Centres can assist and talk through options for courses, careers, assistance with job applications and more.
Reach out to our Skills and Jobs Centres
Contingent Study Arrangements
Where a situation arises that prevents campus attendance (such as COVID restrictions, natural disasters, etc.) and it is deemed an appropriate response in protecting the health and safety of staff, students, and visitors, this course will adapt to alternative training arrangements, possibly using online methods of teaching and/or communication while students engage from home with their Trainers. Any required practical components of the course will be moved to a more appropriate time.
Whether you need support with time management, your mental health, grief and loss, a diagnosed disability, financial hardship, or any other challenge life throws your way, we are here to help.
Support for personal issues
We have a dedicated team to ensure students have the help they need with personal issues impacting studies such as homelessness, family problems & setting up payment plans.
Find out how the Student Experience Team can help you
Disability support
Get access to the supports and adjustments you need for your disability or medical condition to be successful in your studies.
Seek support from our Equitable Learning Advisors
Counselling services
We offer free counselling services to help you work through life's challenges including grief and loss, mental health or relationships.
Learn about our Student Wellbeing Advisors
Koorie Unit
The Koorie Unit is a culturally safe space on our Shepparton Fryers Street Campus for all Koorie students enrolled and studying through GOTAFE, or with one of our education partnering organisations.
Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.
Further information is provided at course induction.
This course is government accredited and has national recognition.
Browse other courses
Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy (SHB40121)
The Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy gives you the skills to work in the beauty industry as part of a busy salon team.
Certificate III in Make-Up (SHB30221)
The Certificate III in Make-Up will prepare you for a career as a Specialist Make-Up Artist.
Certificate III in Beauty Services (SHB30121)
Kickstart your career in the beauty industry with the Certificate III in Beauty Services.
