Beauty therapist job description
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed beauty therapists about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed beauty therapists about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Organising
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Imaginative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Cooperative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a beauty therapist
A day in the life of a beauty therapist involves appointments with individual clients, assessing their needs and providing the treatment required to achieve their desired outcome. Typically working in a salon or spa, to begin with, beauty therapists can often branch out into specialised areas and even go into business for themselves.
So, what do beauty therapists do? Some responsibilities of a beauty therapist are:
- Conducting client consultations
- Analysing skin and conducting beauty assessments
- Performing face and body treatments
- Removing body hair
- Scheduling appointments, maintaining client records and administration tasks
- Managing client relationships
- Monitoring and replenishing stock
- Giving manicures and pedicures
- Upselling treatments and selling product
- Keeping a clean and hygienic work area
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
Flexible hours
Working in a beauty salon, a clinic, or a spa can be a full-time, part-time or casual gig. The busiest times from beauty therapists are often outside of regular work hours, like weekends or late nights, which can allow you to fit work around other life or family commitments.
Enjoyable
Your days will be varied and often fun, which is great for people who want to avoid desk drudgery. Plus, people are often happy and excited to get a treatment — and can pick up on their good energy.
Makes a difference
For many people, taking time out to look after themselves can significantly and positively impact their frame of mind. Beauty therapists play a pivotal role in stress relief, self-esteem and general well-being for people with various beauty therapy needs.
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for a beauty therapist
With employment levels climbing from 20,600 in 2020, reports indicate the beauty workforce will reach 50,700 by 2024. This growth is predicted across all occupations within the beauty industry, with the most significant increase (20%) expected for beauty therapists.
The average Australian salary for beauty therapists is $49,868.00. Highly experienced therapists or those that start their own business can earn a considerably higher amount.
Beauty therapy can be an extremely flexible career choice, with a high percentage of therapists choosing to work part-time (61%).
Median salary
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
In the beauty industry, there are different beauty therapist levels.
While beauticians and beauty therapists provide clients with a vast selection of services, you could move into a more advanced, specialised role with experience and further study.
Diploma-level beauty therapists have a more comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of beauty therapy. Specialists like dermal therapists offer skin treatments such as needling, laser and chemical peels.
A job as a beauty therapist can open up many job avenues. Some beauty therapy career pathways could be:
Junior
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Eyelash and eyebrow technician
Most common qualification: Eyelash or eyebrow certificate
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Nail technician
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Nail Technology (SHB30315)
-
Beautician
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Beauty Services (SHB30115)
Mid
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Beauty therapist
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy (SHB40115)
-
Makeup artist
Most common qualification: Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115)
-
Senior beauty therapist
Most common qualification: Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115)
-
Laser therapist
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy (SHB40115)
-
Special effects makeup artist
Most common qualification: Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) (CUA51020)
-
Dermal therapist
Most common qualification: Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115)
Senior
-
Dermal clinician
Most common qualification: Bachelor of Health Science (Dermal Therapies)
-
Salon or spa manager
Most common qualification: Diploma of Salon Management (SHB50216)
-
Cosmetic nurse
Most common qualification: Bachelor of Nursing
-
Laser technician
Most common qualification: Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115)
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
Working face to face with clients requires specific natural personal skills. The advantage of having the innate ability to empathise and create a rapport with people in a short amount of time can make a simple visit to the salon a joy for customers.
Among many personal skills that can help you excel in a role in the beauty industry, some essential beauty therapist skills are:
Time management
A beauty therapy clinic or spa is often a buzzing hive of activity with clients coming in and out all day for their desired treatments. A beauty therapist working in a busy environment needs to have their eye on the ball, making sure treatments only take the time allowed so they are on time for their next client.
Creativity
Beauty therapy involves knowledge and use of makeup, artistic skills for nails, and an eye for procedures like lash extensions and eyebrow shaping. A natural creative flair is a solid foundation for these types of services and means you’ll enjoy them a whole lot more.
Active listening
You may encounter clients who are new to beauty treatments and are unsure about what they want. A comprehensive consultation using active listening involves asking the right questions, reading between the lines and having plenty of patience. If you can master reading your clients well, they will trust you more and are more likely to become loyal customers.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
Providing beauty treatments to clients requires technical skills learned through comprehensive training. Over time and with practice, you’ll perfect these skills.
Some technical skills required are:
Business management
Salon marketing skills
Nail art design and application
Safe hygiene, health and work practices
First aid skills
Makeup knowledge and application
Body massage techniques
Beauty treatment skills like tanning, waxing, eyebrow shaping and lash extensions
Safe and knowledgeable use of chemicals and products
Helping clients get their confidence back after cancer
In 2015, I left a successful career in the corporate world to begin my career in eyebrow microblading. When I began I wanted to rid the world of bad eyebrows, two at a time! That ideal lasted about one week — my first client, who had undergone chemo, saw herself in the mirror and burst into tears of joy.
Jane Simpson
Founder of Jane Simpson Brows in Sydney
How to become a beauty therapist
-
Study
An accredited beauty therapy course through a TAFE or RTO (registered training organisation) introduces all areas of beauty therapy and can significantly improve job prospects. Programs like a Certificate III in Beauty Services (SHB30115), a Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy (SHB40115) or a Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115) cover a broad range of skills and enable students to find the right fit for their career plans.
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Apprenticeship
Several beauty therapy qualifications are also available as an Australian Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships allow students to earn money and learn simultaneously and provide on-the-ground experience straight away. Apprenticeships, like other jobs, are often advertised on job boards.
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Work experience
Contact some local beauty clinics and enquire about offering some of your time to help out. You may have to start on some small jobs like cleaning work areas or reception, but work experience is a great way to gain industry knowledge and may lead to future employment such as an apprenticeship.
Explore related qualifications
Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy
A Cert IV in Beauty Therapy (SHB40115) delves deeply into a range of beauty therapy treatments and services, including lash and brow treatments, nail services, makeup, massage and waxing. Graduates can effectively communicate with clients to recommend services and sell skin-care and cosmetic products.
This qualification prepares the learner for an independent role as a beauty therapist who provides finely tuned honed technical skills and rarely needs guidance from others.
The average course duration is 12 months full-time and can be available as an Australian Apprenticeship. This course can be delivered in a combination of virtual and face-to-face classes and involves valuable hands-on experience.
Depending on the training establishment, government subsidies and payment plans may be available to eligible students.
2 providers offer this course
Diploma of Beauty Therapy
The Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115) reflects the role of advanced beauty therapists who provide a broad and sometimes specialised range of beauty treatments like facials, massage, hair removal, lash and brow treatments, nail and makeup services. They also undertake high-level and thorough consultations with clients to provide the best advice and sell the appropriate skincare and cosmetic products.
Therapists at this level work well autonomously and are self-directed when undertaking in-depth technical services.
The average course duration is 12 months full-time or part-time equivalent and can be available as an Australian Apprenticeship. Blended course delivery is available from some course providers with face-to-face practical classes and placements.
This course is available as an Australian Apprenticeship.
2 providers offer this course
Reviews
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
- All
- Positive
- Negative
Emily
Nov 08 2021You'll never get tired of making people feel good.
What are the best parts of the job?
There is so much job satisfaction in making people feel good. A client's happiness post-treatment, whether it be from a fresh set of nails or a rejuvenating facial, you'll never get tired of the positive feedback. New products and treatments, along with keeping up with the latest trends in beauty keeps the job interesting. You also have pretty flexible hours (depending on the job itself).
What's the most challenging part?
Although the positives far outweigh the negatives, you won't be able to please everyone (and that's okay!). Especially in the beginning, it can be hard to be confident in yourself. But as you continue to build up your experience, you'll also build up your resilience. Beauty therapy can also be quite exhausting work, as you're often on your feet all day. Again, you'll learn how to manage this by learning how to stand a certain way, massge a certain way, etc. Time management can also be tough.
Tori
Nov 05 2021An amazing career that helps clients feel special.
What are the best parts of the job?
Being able to make clients feel better and make them feel more confident and special about themselves after working with them to achieve how they would like to change their looks. Being able to learn in greater detail about taking care of your own skin and other things. Building relations with repeat customers over time.
What's the most challenging part?
Hoping that I won't make a mistake while working with a client and having to remember all the aspects of my job. There is no room for leeway because the results must be excellent.
Leila
Nov 06 2021A fulfilling career with so much potential to grow.
What are the best parts of the job?
Every day is different, and there is so much you can do when it comes to the scope of treatments you can do. If there's one that you're particularly good at, you can always specialised or niche down into that field, for example, massage therapist or nail tech. New industry trends are always emerging too, so you'll never be bored!
What's the most challenging part?
It's a competitve landscape. As beauty is considered a "luxury", it's often the first thing that goes when people are experiencing financial hardship. But if you're exceptional at what you do, there is always clientele that are willing to prioritise their treatments.
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Job cluster: The Carer
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
A job looking after clients with their beauty requires the warmth and approachability that comes naturally to the career personality of The Carer.
The Carer is personable, makes people feel at ease around them and has excellent listening skills. Empathy comes naturally to The Carer, which comes to great use when dealing with sensitive and personal subjects.
The Carer loves to make people happy and builds a rapport with clients, ensuring a loyal customer base and repeat business.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a beauty therapist earn?
Full-time beauty therapists earn a median of $49,868.00 in Australia. More experienced therapists and business owners have a higher earning potential.
What makes a good beauty therapist?
A good beauty therapist loves to make others feel at ease in their care, has the proper skills and knowledge to provide quality beauty treatments and wants their clients to feel great after seeing them.
What skills do you need to be a beauty therapist?
Essential skills for a beauty therapist are patience, compassion and creativity. They have taken the time to educate themselves in all areas of beauty and can work individually or as part of a team.
Is being a beauty therapist a good career?
If you love beauty, are social and enjoy making others feel good, beauty therapy can be an incredible career. With the opportunity to specialise and upskill in services or go into business for yourself, the sky’s the limit of job satisfaction.
How long does it take to become a beauty therapist?
You can make becoming a qualified beauty therapist fit into your time frame. For example, some courses take as little as seven months to complete, and others studied part-time will span over several years or as part of an apprenticeship.