There are no entry requirements to this qualification.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of endorsement.

Visit Get Qualified Australia’s Trade Licensing page for more information surrounding licensing

The following contains a summary of the employability skills required by the beauty industry for this qualification. The employability skills facets described here are broad industry requirements that may vary depending on qualification packaging options.

Industry /enterprise requirements for this qualification include :

Communication 

Communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, are used to establish and meet the needs of clients, to advise on future services and to record client information. This is done through questioning and observation and by providing clear information on products used and services proposed or performed. Clients may also need reassurance or have questions which need to be answered throughout the performance of a service. Product information is also read and interpreted to make safe and appropriate recommendations to clients, and treatment plans are developed and/or amended as required. Communication skills are also used to follow instructions and respond to change, such as current workplace waste minimisation and environmental sustainability procedures.

Problem solving 

Problem-solving skills are used when developing and/or amending treatment plans and throughout the provision of services and treatments by applying knowledge of contraindications, anatomy and physiology, and skin biology, for example, to anticipate and mitigate problems by advising clients of alternative options and/or referring them to alternative practitioners when performing facial treatments. Problem solving is supported in the beauty environment by referral to legislation and/or industry guidelines, such as health and hygiene.

Initiative and enterprise 

Opportunities to use initiative and enterprise occur with the identification and provision of the most appropriate products and/or services to meet identified and future needs of clients, within the boundaries of any contraindications which may be present. A beauty therapist also needs to recognise changes in the client's condition during a service or treatment and take corrective action.

Teamwork 

Teamwork requires knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of all team members and accepted or expected workplace practices. It includes the ability to communicate with other team members to schedule and service clients, to assist other team members as required; and to support team participation in environmentally sustainable workplace practices.

Planning and organising 

Information, time and resources must be planned and organised to deliver efficient and effective services. The needs of clients must be determined to ensure that all relevant products and equipment are available and time is managed effectively to meet scheduling requirements. The use of resources must be planned and organised to minimise waste and prevent product and environmental contamination.

Self-management 

Self-direction is required to achieve desired client outcomes within the time and resource expectations of the workplace. This is supported by establishing a clear understanding of both client and workplace requirements and by actively seeking and responding to feedback. The knowledge and application of health, hygiene and safety requirements are critical to the performance of this role.

Learning 

The beauty industry is dynamic, with changes to products and services as new trends emerge. Beauty therapists are required to take responsibility for maintaining and sharing their knowledge of new products, services and environmental best practice with a view to maximising business profitability.

Technology 

Technology is used through the use of electrical equipment for facial and body treatments and beauty therapists must be familiar with the safe operating procedures for the use of this technology. Retail technology is also used and beauty therapists must also be able to deal with situations where technology fails or becomes unavailable, for example electronic funds transfer technology.

Due to the high proportion of electives required by this qualification, the industry/enterprise requirements described above for each employability skill are representative of the industry in general and may not reflect specific job roles. Learning and assessment strategies for this qualification should be based on the requirements of the units of competency for this qualification.

This qualification reflects the skills and knowledge required of individuals who are competent in a prescribed range of beauty therapy treatments and services, including facial massage, lash and brow treatments, nail technology services, make-up, waxing, body massage, and aromatherapy; as well as providing advice on and selling retail skin care and cosmetic products.

Work would be undertaken as skilled beauty therapists in the beauty therapy services stream of the beauty industry.

This qualification is designed to reflect the role of those who work relatively autonomously. It involves the performance of a broad range of skilled applications, including requirements to evaluate and analyse current practices, develop new criteria and procedures for performing current practices, and some provision of leadership and guidance to others in the application and planning of skills.

• Certificate III in Work Health and Safety