- How long it takes
- 4 to 8 months
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $2,310
- Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $11,538
- How you can study
- Online, on campus or on the job
- Taught by
- 21 providers
- 7 states and territories
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate III in Beauty Services asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in beauty treatments and personal care
- good communication skills for talking with clients
- a careful approach to hygiene and safe work
- confidence recommending and selling products to clients
Before you start
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Where this course can take you
The study that can follow this course.
If you study further
Diploma of Beauty Therapy
Leads to work as a, median pay $61,300.
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $2,310
at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$7,220 to $11,538
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $2,310 | $240 | $8,520 | 4 to 8 months |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $5,145 | $1,029 | $9,695 | |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $3,905 | $781 | $11,538 | |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | $4,921 | $985 | $10,373 | |
| The Gordon | VIC | $3,780 | $756 | $8,176 | |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $4,430 | $3,495 | $7,220 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $2,310
- Concession
- $240
- Full fee
- $8,520
- How long
- 4 to 8 months
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $5,145
- Concession
- $1,029
- Full fee
- $9,695
GOTAFEVIC
- Subsidised
- $3,905
- Concession
- $781
- Full fee
- $11,538
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $4,921
- Concession
- $985
- Full fee
- $10,373
The GordonVIC
- Subsidised
- $3,780
- Concession
- $756
- Full fee
- $8,176
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Subsidised
- $4,430
- Concession
- $3,495
- Full fee
- $7,220
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.
Where you can study this course
There are 21 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
32 campuses, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
- How long
- 4 to 8 months
- Fee
- From $2,310 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
- Website for Victoria University (opens in a new tab)
Victoria University
11 campuses, NSW, QLD, VIC
3.9from 1,562 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are friendly, supportive and approachable
- Studying one subject at a time through the block model
- Staff are welcoming and ready to help
What to weigh up
- Admin can be hard to reach after you finish
- Website for Charles Darwin University (opens in a new tab)
Charles Darwin University
12 campuses, NSW, NT
4.2from 619 Google reviews
What students like
- Admin and support staff are helpful
What to weigh up
- Units vary depending on the lecturer
- Feedback on assessments can vary
- Website for TAFE Gippsland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
11 campuses, VIC
3.9from 113 Google reviews
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
8 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- Fee
- From $4,430 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
- Website for TAFE SA (opens in a new tab)
TAFE SA
26 campuses, SA
4.4from 1,339 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are nice and helpful
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course information can be unclear
- Website for Box Hill Institute (opens in a new tab)
Box Hill Institute
4 campuses, VIC
3.0from 372 Google reviews
What students like
- Teachers are friendly and supportive
- Course content is practical and relevant
What to weigh up
- Admin replies can be slow
- Course organisation can be inconsistent
- Course page for The Gordon (opens in a new tab)
The Gordon
Geelong City Campus, VIC
4.0from 168 Google reviews
- Fee
- From $3,780 subsidised
What students like
- Teaching staff are supportive and highly professional
- Staff are friendly and helpful
What to weigh up
- Courses can feel loosely organised
What you’ll learn
18 units: 14 that everyone takes and 4 you choose.
- Waxing and hair removal
- Manicures and pedicures
- Lash and brow treatments
- Make-up application
- Cosmetic tanning
- Client advice and product sales
See all 14 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
Loading the details for SHBBBOS007…
Loading the details for SHBBBOS007…
Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
It prepares you to work as a beautician in a salon, providing nails, waxing, lash and brow treatments, basic make-up and cosmetic tanning. You consult with clients, recommend products and services, and sell retail products. You are responsible for your own outputs, using discretion and judgement.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
There are no entry requirements for this qualification. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.