HomeCoursesBeautyCertificate III in Nail Technology
Certificate III in Nail Technology
This qualification trains you to work as a nail technician, either in a salon or running your own station as a self-employed operator.
- Duration: 4 months to 6 months
- Study mode: Online and on campus
- Course code: SHB30321
Where you can study this course
- Campuses
- 19 campuses
- Duration
- 4 to 6 months
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- $8,600
- Eligible students: subsidised from $880, concession $240
What students say
Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.
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TAFE Queensland
- Campuses
- 2 campuses
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- $5,280
- Eligible students: subsidised from $2,490, concession $1,560
What students say
Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.
- Campuses
- 2 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Some students found the course content frustrating and the trainers and teaching lacking, and a number questioned the cost and value, while many value the student support, though opinions on the content are mixed.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Open Colleges
- Campuses
- Not yet checked
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
North Metropolitan TAFE
- Campuses
- Joondalup (McLarty Avenue)
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- On campus
- Full fee
- Not stated by provider
What students say
Opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, with some students finding the organisation and admin frustrating and a number unhappy with the course content.
- Campuses
- 12 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
Chisholm Institute
- Campuses
- 2 campuses
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- Not stated by provider
- Full fee
- $10,118
- Eligible students: subsidised from $6,413, concession $1,283
What students say
Students rate the trainers and teaching highly, along with student support and course content. Some students found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on student support.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Central Regional TAFE
- Campuses
- 3 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
Last reviewed 20 September 2026.
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
- Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:
- an interest in nail care and beauty trends
- good communication skills for client consultations
- a careful approach to hygiene and safe work practices
- attention to detail when applying nail enhancements
What will you learn?
You learn the practical side first: manicures and pedicures, acrylic and gel enhancements, nail art, and how to use electric files without damaging the natural nail. A large part of the job is the conversation with each client, so the course also covers advising on nail care products, checking what they want, and keeping records. Around that sits the business side of salon work, including hygiene and safe work practices, taking payments, and meeting the standards salons are expected to follow.
- Manicures and pedicures
- Acrylic nail enhancements
- Nail art
- Electric file equipment
- Product advice for clients
- Hygiene and safe work practices
Units of competency (10 core, 5 elective)
The qualification is made up of 15 units. Everyone completes the 10 core units below, and the remaining 5 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).