Eyelash technician 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 eyelash technicians 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.

So, what is a lash technician? A lash technician can work in a salon, spa or clinic environment and apply eyelash extensions to people's natural lashes. This process enhances the look of the eyelashes and is a popular treatment in beauty salons. An eyelash tech listens carefully to their client's wants and needs and uses professional beauty skills to create their desired look.

Detail-oriented

Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Social

Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Creative

Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Tasks and responsibilities for an eyelash technician

From when your customer enters the workplace to the minute they leave, your responsibility as a lash tech (or any beauty treatment practitioner) is to look after them and provide them with a highly professional service.

So, what does a lash technician do in a day? A lash technician’s duties can include:

Preparing work areas for each client
Performing a thorough client consultation
Applying eyelash extensions safely and precisely
Communicating constantly to make sure the clients
Following salon hygiene procedures
Instructing clients on aftercare and recommending products
Taking payment and booking follow-up appointments

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.

Enjoyable

A job as a lash technician can be lots of fun. You get to talk to different people every day, make their eyelashes look beautiful and have them leave feeling fresh and uplifted.

Flexible hours

Working in the beauty industry can be great for people with small families, studying, or just need flexible hours. The busiest time for salons is usually after work or at weekends, which means part-time roles are often available.

High paying

Working as a lash technician might inspire you to run your own business from home or even open a salon. A booming beauty business can allow you to be your own boss, work your own hours and has no limit on the money it can bring in, especially if they offer a quality service.

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 an eyelash technician

Lash extension is fast becoming an essential beauty treatment for many Australians. The beauty therapy and services sector is significant in Australia and has grown steadily over the last five years and is expected to increase to around 33,400 workers by 2025.

$55,575 Per Year

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.

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.

Pathway options

Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.

Eyelash technicians are a small part of a vast industry. Many people may start a role as a lash technician and find it is what they want to do for the long term. But, the position can also open doors to other specialities, more senior roles or jobs that cover a multitude of beauty therapy services. It could even lead you to start your own business.

When a job as a lash technician could take you:

Junior

Nail technician

Most common qualification: Certificate III in Nail Technology (SHB30315)

Mid

Beauty therapist

Most common qualification: Certificate III in Beauty Therapy (SHB40115)
Makeup artist

Most common qualification: Certificate III in Beauty Services (SHB30115)
Laser technician

Most common qualification: Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115)

Senior

Salon or spa manager

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 every day with customers and a larger team of beauty service providers requires you to have a particular set of soft skills to excel in the role. These skills often come naturally or have been built through other life experiences.

Soft skills of a lash technician:

Communication

Good communication skills are vital when providing a beauty service to a client. There must be clarity on the desired outcome, how the process is feeling, and the client’s overall comfort while they are in your care.

Attention to detail

You need to be pretty precise when applying eyelash extensions. Taking your time in the application and double-checking your work ensures you provide excellent service.

Customer service

Every day as a lash technician means meeting new people and providing them with excellent customer service. This extends right from the initial consultation to the treatment and end of the service, including rebooking and recommending and selling products.

Hard skills

The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.

Although you can pick up many of the skills needed to apply eyelash extensions on the job, the core knowledge required to be a lash technician is often learned through studying a VET course through an RTO (registered training organisation).

Some technical skills for the job are:

Classic lash and full set lash application

Lash lifts

Lash removal

Lash extension aftercare

Beauty industry knowledge

Conduct salon financial transactions

Beauty product knowledge

How to become an eyelash technician

You can start a role as a lash technician without any formal eyelash extension training, but having the basic skills in eyelash extensions and workplace processes under your belt makes it easier to get your foot in the door for your new role.

Work experience

Reaching out to local beauty salons or spas to donate your time to help around the workplace is a great way to get some experience and may even open doors to job opportunities in the work environment. You may even choose to apply for a salon reception role to get your foot in the door.
Study

To gain the required skills to work as a lash technician and be an attractive prospect to employers, studying a VET beauty certification course can be a huge advantage. Several in-class and online courses are available with flexible learning options and timeframes, like a Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy SHB40121 or a Diploma of Beauty Therapy SHB50121.

Taking an accredited course in cosmetology, beauty therapy, or eyelash extension through a reputable provider is the best way to strengthen your skillset, show prospective employers that you are committed to the job, and have the fundamental skills to start the career in a strong position. Many training courses available today can fit in with other life priorities, are affordable and offer flexible study conditions.

Eyelash Extension Certificate

A short lash course like an eyelash extension certificate can provide a targeted skill set perfect for those who want to deliver a lash service exclusively.

Covering all aspects of lash extension training, available entirely online and self-paced, this qualification is ideal if you want to master the advanced techniques for applying eyelash extensions.

Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy SHB40121

Study method In-class Online

This course provides the skills to become a beauty therapist who offers various treatments and services, including brow and lash treatments, eyelash extensions, nail services, facials, make-up application, massage, and waxing. It also covers specialised technical and customer service skills.

You can learn through a combination of classroom, online and hands-on practical methods and a practical placement. This course takes, on average, 45 weeks.

Diploma of Beauty Therapy SHB50121

Study method In-class

This course provides the high-level training needed for learners to advance their beauty skills further. The diploma covers lash and brow treatments, manicures, make-up, waxing and spa treatments, and the theory and science knowledge needed to provide the most cutting edge services.

The average course duration is 2340 hours. It can be studied full-time or part-time in a self-paced method and involves hands-on work, written assignments and work placements.

Related subjects

Roles in the beauty industry always need more enthusiastic, creative and hardworking newcomers. If a position in lash extension isn’t quite what you are looking for, many other jobs might be a better fit.

Other possible beauty or therapy roles:

If life as a lash technician sounds like it might be precisely what you’re looking for, you can access a vast catalogue of resources, real-life stories and guides to help you on your path to your brand new career.

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Take the Career Quiz

Job cluster: The Coordinator

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?

Roles in the beauty industry require newcomers that genuinely like people, want to make them feel good and are committed to offering a thorough and professional service.

A job as a lash technician would be perfect for the career persona of The Coordinator. The Coordinator is systematic, organised, has exceptional time management and has an innate desire to make others feel good. Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.

Learn More

Frequently asked questions

What is a lash technician called?

A lash technician can also be called an eyelash technician, lash artist or lash stylist. Often, beauty therapists offer eyelash extensions as part of their many services.

What are the qualifications for becoming a lash technician?

Although a formal qualification is not required to start work as a lash technician, you can gain the skills and knowledge needed to perform the service adequately with a short course through an RTO (registered training organisation).

How does one become a lash technician?

To become a lash technician, completing a qualification in beauty or an eyelash extension certificate at a beauty school is a great way to prepare for the role and make you a strong candidate for job opportunities.

How to Become a Lash Technician: A Career that Helps Others Feel Their Best

Detail-oriented Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Social Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Creative Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.