Beauty courses
Start with a certificate in nail technology if you want to specialise in nails, or train in the full menu of treatments with a beauty therapy diploma. Here's what each course leads to, how long it takes and what it costs.
- Quickest way to start
- 4 months
- Certificate III, full time at TAFE NSW
- TAFE cost from
- $880
- subsidised Certificate III, TAFE NSW
- What the jobs pay
- $49,400 to $61,300
- median pay across 2 jobs, some estimated
- Demand
- 2 of 2 jobs
- are on the national shortage list
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
Certificate III in Nail Technology
Work as a nail technician
Do manicures, pedicures and gel or acrylic enhancements in a salon, or run your own clients from a rented station.
Median pay$49,400 (estimate)
- How long it takes
- 4 to 6 months full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $880 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $8,600 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
Diploma of Beauty Therapy
Work as a beauty therapist
Give facials, massage, waxing, lash and brow treatments and make-up in a salon or day spa.
Median pay$61,300
- How long it takes
- 4 to 12 months full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $8,085 at GOTAFE if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $23,740 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Certificate III in Beauty Services | Certificate III in Nail Technology | Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy | Diploma of Beauty Therapy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $2,310 | $8,520 | $880 | $8,600 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $5,145 | $9,695 | $6,413 | $10,118 | Not listed | Not listed | $12,978 | $22,403 |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $3,905 | $11,538 | Not listed | Not listed | $6,270 | $18,525 | $8,085 | $23,740 |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | $4,921 | $10,373 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | $12,259 | $23,322 |
| The Gordon | VIC | $3,780 | $8,176 | Not listed | Not listed | $5,897 | $13,280 | $10,917 | $20,083 |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $4,430 | $7,220 | $2,490 | $5,280 | Not listed | Not listed | $8,480 | $10,765 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Certificate III in Beauty Services
- $2,310 subsidised
- $8,520 full fee
- Certificate III in Nail Technology
- $880 subsidised
- $8,600 full fee
- Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy
- Not listed
- Diploma of Beauty Therapy
- Not listed
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Certificate III in Beauty Services
- $5,145 subsidised
- $9,695 full fee
- Certificate III in Nail Technology
- $6,413 subsidised
- $10,118 full fee
- Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy
- Not listed
- Diploma of Beauty Therapy
- $12,978 subsidised
- $22,403 full fee
GOTAFEVIC
- Certificate III in Beauty Services
- $3,905 subsidised
- $11,538 full fee
- Certificate III in Nail Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy
- $6,270 subsidised
- $18,525 full fee
- Diploma of Beauty Therapy
- $8,085 subsidised
- $23,740 full fee
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Certificate III in Beauty Services
- $4,921 subsidised
- $10,373 full fee
- Certificate III in Nail Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy
- Not listed
- Diploma of Beauty Therapy
- $12,259 subsidised
- $23,322 full fee
The GordonVIC
- Certificate III in Beauty Services
- $3,780 subsidised
- $8,176 full fee
- Certificate III in Nail Technology
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy
- $5,897 subsidised
- $13,280 full fee
- Diploma of Beauty Therapy
- $10,917 subsidised
- $20,083 full fee
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Certificate III in Beauty Services
- $4,430 subsidised
- $7,220 full fee
- Certificate III in Nail Technology
- $2,490 subsidised
- $5,280 full fee
- Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy
- Not listed
- Diploma of Beauty Therapy
- $8,480 subsidised
- $10,765 full fee
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
Other certificates and diplomas
- Certificate III in Beauty Services4 to 8 months. A hands-on course in nails, waxing, lash and brow work and tanning, with no prior study needed.
- Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy2 to 2.5 years. Covers the treatments clients book most often, with the skin and body knowledge to adapt them for each client.
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
- Nail TechnicianWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$49,400 (estimate)In demand
- Beauty TherapistWhat you needDiplomaMedian pay$61,300In demand
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.