Menu

  • All Courses
    • Accounting
    • Aged Care
    • Agile
    • Agriculture
    • Alcohol & Other Drugs
    • Allied Health
    • Animal Care
    • Animal Science
    • Arts
    • Beauty
    • Blockchain
    • Bookkeeping
    • Building & Construction
    • Business
    • Business Administration
    • Business Development
    • Business Operations
    • Celebrancy
    • Change Management
    • Child Care
    • Cloud Computing
    • Coding
    • Community Services
    • Compliance & Risk
    • Conservation & Land Management
    • Counselling
    • Criminal Justice & Psychology
    • Culinary Arts
    • Customer Engagement
    • Cyber Security
    • Dance
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Dental Assisting
    • Design
    • Digital Marketing
    • Digital Media
    • Disability
    • Dog Training
    • Education
    • Education Support
    • Engineering
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Event Management
    • Eyebrow Specialist
    • Eyelash Extension
    • Fashion Design
    • Finance
    • Financial Planning
    • Government
    • Hairdressing
    • Health
    • Health Admin
    • Health Science
    • Health Services Assistance
    • Herbal Medicines
    • Horse Breeding & Equine Studies
    • Horticulture
    • Hospitality
    • Human Resources
    • Interior Design
    • IT
    • Leadership & Management
    • Legal
    • Life Coaching
    • Logistics
    • Makeup
    • Management
    • Manufacturing
    • Marketing
    • Massage
    • MBA
    • Mental Health
    • Microsoft
    • MYOB
    • Nail Technology
    • Natural Therapies
    • Naturopathy
    • Networking
    • Nursing
    • Nutrition
    • Nutritional Medicine
    • Organisational Development
    • Payroll
    • Pet Grooming
    • Photography
    • PMBOK
    • Practice Management
    • PRINCE2®
    • Professional Development
    • Programming
    • Project Management
    • Psychology
    • Real Estate
    • Retail
    • Sales
    • Science
    • Security
    • Small Business
    • Social Media Marketing
    • Social Science
    • Software
    • Sports & Fitness
    • Supply Chain Operations
    • Sustainability
    • Systems Administration
    • Tourism
    • Training & Assessment
    • Travel
    • User Experience Design
    • UX/UI
    • Veterinary Nursing
    • Web Design
    • Web Development
    • Wedding Planning
    • Work Health & Safety
    • Xero
    • Youth Work
    • View All Courses
  • Search Courses
  • Online Courses
  • Education Providers
  • Workforce Training
  • TAFE Directory
  • Student Hub
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

How to Become a Nail Technician: a Creative Job with Flexible Hours

Although formal training isn’t always necessary to get an entry-level job as a nail tech, a qualification helps you gain the essential skills needed to provide your clients with a safe and pleasant service. Completing a course like a Certificate III in Nail Technology (SHB30315) or a Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115) through an accredited provider is the best way to prepare for your new career and improve your job prospects.

Find out how to become a nail technician, what skills you’ll need and what it is like to work in this varied and social job.

nail-technician
  • Overview
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Skills
  • How to Become
  • Start Learning
  • Reviews

Nail technician job description
info 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 nail 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.

Nail technicians use creativity and precision to perform services using a diverse range of skin and nail treatments. From a simple cut and shape right through to intricate nail design, a visit to the local nail salon can leave a customer feeling relaxed, nurtured and beautified.
Imaginative

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

Physical

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

Persuading

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

Tasks and responsibilities for a nail technician

Nail beauticians often work in a spa or salon with a team of other beauty professionals. Some work as sole traders and run their businesses from home. A typical day as a nail technician involves seeing a range of clients who have different treatments booked in for their nails.

A nail technician’s tasks can include:

  • Performing manicures and pedicures on clients
  • Designing nail art, applying nail enhancements and extensions
  • Ensuring industry hygiene and service standards and practices are met
  • Giving hand and foot massages
  • Upselling treatments and products for clients’ nails where appropriate
  • Preparing nails and skin for treatments
  • Taking bookings and payments/managing booking system
  • Cleaning work stations between clients

Reasons to choose this job
info
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.

Flexible hours

Flexible hours

A role as a nail technician can be flexible and tailored to fit around other life responsibilities. For example, busier times tend to be outside of regular work hours, so weekend and evening shifts may offer you time in the week to cater to family or further study.

Read More
Enjoyable

Enjoyable

A job in a nail salon is no tedious desk job. If you love to create beautiful things, work well in a team environment and like to meet new people every day, a career as a nail tech can be incredibly fun.

Read More
High paying

High paying

Once you’ve got a bit of experience under your belt, being a nail tech can pay well by the hour. And if you decide to start your own business, you’ll have uncapped earnings, meaning it can become quite a lucrative career.

Read More

Job satisfaction

Overall job satisfaction
info
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
info
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.

medium

Fulfilment
info
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.

very-high

Skill level
info
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.

medium

Job market trends for a nail technician

As a large part of the beauty industry, nail technicians have seen moderate job growth in the market over the last five years. Reports predict that this upward trend will continue for the next five years, with beauty therapists to see a rise of around 20% by 2024.

A role as a nail technician can be flexible and perfect for those who have other life responsibilities. The majority of workers in the beauty industry are part-time, with full-time workers only accounting for 39%.

A nail technician’s salary can vary on experience and skill level. Like many jobs, if you choose to branch out on your own or start a company, you have a much higher earning potential. 

$49,868 Per Year

Median salary
info 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
info 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
info
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.

A career as a nail tech can be fulfilling for a long time and can lead to owning your own business. It can also be a great position to launch your beauty career and give you access to many other job types in the beauty industry.

Some pathway options could be:

Junior

  • Eyelash and eyebrow technician

    Most common qualification: Eyelash or eyebrow certificate

  • Nail technician

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

  • Beautician

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

Mid

  • Beauty therapist

    Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy (SHB40115)

  • Makeup artist

    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 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
info
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.

Working closely with customers and making them feel great about their nails requires specific soft skills. These skills are often as critical as any technical skills and can be developed naturally or acquired through life or previous job experience.

Some essential, human-centric skills you already have could be:

Social skills

Part of the job as a nail technician is to create an environment where clients feel welcome, safe and comfortable. A warm and approachable nature and the ability to have a casual, friendly chat while you work can make the experience more enjoyable for both yourself and your client.

Read More

Creativity

A natural ability to create beautiful designs and a desire to fine-tune and develop nail art skills makes becoming a nail tech much more manageable and the role far more fulfilling.

Read More

Time management

A busy day in a nail salon means a packed diary of customers looking forward to new gorgeous hands and feet. Good time management skills are needed to ensure you don’t run behind or let anyone down.

Read More

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

There are vital skills needed to have the best chance at getting an entry-level job as a nail technician. Along with your natural creative and personal abilities, these learned skills ensures your customers’ safety and happiness.

An accredited training course gives you the skills you need and makes you an attractive prospect to future employers.

Some technical skills required are:

Nail art design

Read More

Application of acrylic nail enhancements and gel nail enhancements

Read More

Occupational health and safety practices

Read More

Healthcare knowledge and first aid

Read More

Infection control regulations and guidelines

Read More

Safe use of chemicals

Read More

Safe use of equipment and tools

Read More

Handling salon financial transactions

Read More

How to become a nail technician

You don't need formal qualifications to begin a job as a nail technician, but it certainly helps when applying for your first job. Employers like to see recruits who have shown some initiative and understand that essential skills are essential.
  1. Study

    Nail technician courses like the Cert III in Nail Technology (SHB30315) provided by a private provider or RTO (registered training organisation) can be flexible, affordable and is the best way to prepare yourself for a role as a nail tech. A qualification in nail technology or beauty therapy provides the technical skills needed to work confidently, and successful completion can open you up to greater career opportunities.

  2. Further study

    Existing qualified nail technicians that wish to refine their skills, specialise in a particular service or start their own business can upskill through advanced nail or beauty courses.

Explore related qualifications

Certificate III in Nail Technology

Study method Online

A Cert III in Nail Technology (SHB30315) covers everything you need to carve out your new career as a nail technician. The course teaches practical units in high-quality services like manicure and pedicures, acrylic and gel nails and nail art.

 

Coursework also covers skills in customer service, beauty industry knowledge and running your own business, including marketing and administration.

 

The average course duration is six months and can be studied full or part-time and online, face-to-face or a combination of both.

 

Fee concessions are available to eligible students, and payment options are available from many training organisations.

Read More

2 providers offer this course

Bela Beauty College
Australian Beauty School

Advanced Nails Certificate

Study method Online

An Advanced Nails Cert is an excellent course for those who wish to polish their nail technician skills or start their own business in the beauty industry. 

 

This course covers the fundamentals of manicure and pedicure services, with advanced nail treatments such as acrylic nails, gel nails, sculpting and nail art. You can complete this course at your own pace, but it generally takes 4-6 weeks.

 

This course can be studied online, and payment options are available from most course providers. 

Read More

2 providers offer this course

Bela Beauty College
Australian Beauty School

Diploma of Beauty Therapy

Study method In-class

A Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115) reflects the role of a beauty therapist that works in a spa or beauty salon and covers a broad scope of beauty services, including massage, lash and brow treatments, facials, body treatments and nail treatments.

 

This course is a good option if you want a more extensive skill set in the beauty industry or run a salon.

 

The average course duration is one year and can be achieved full-time or part-time. Online learning and face-to-face delivery methods are used and depend on the course provider.

 

Government-subsidised fees are available to eligible students, and some training organisations provide payment plans.

Read More

2 providers offer this course

Angel Institute of Education
Demi International Beauty Academy

Related subjects

The beauty industry is vast, and jobs can come in all shapes and sizes. If you’d like to explore different roles, plenty of other jobs are available to you.

Some other subjects that might interest you:

Beauty
Beauty
Nail Technology
Nail Technology

Reviews
info 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.

Leave a Review

  • All
  • Positive
  • Negative
Amy
Nov 04 2021

Sense of community.

What are the best parts of the job?

Being part of a community of nail techs, creative people and small business owners who support each other.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Nothing — it's all good.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 1-3
Organisation size Self-employed
Liz
Nov 05 2021

Making clients nails look amazing.

What are the best parts of the job?

Seeing the finished project of my clients nails.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Shaping peoples nails to meet their standards can be tricky sometimes, people can be quite specific.

Read More
Qualification None of the above
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 0-4 employees
Sarah
Nov 03 2021

Good, but a job's a job.

What are the best parts of the job?

I enjoy my job, but honestly work is just work, and the best part is probably getting paid.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

As I said, at the end of the day work is work.

Read More
Qualification Advanced diploma
Experience 5-10
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Poppy
Nov 06 2021

Always something new.

What are the best parts of the job?

You get new customers every single day and are able to interact with new clients.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Some clients are a bit of a handful.

Read More
Qualification Certificate (nonaccredited)
Experience 1-3
Organisation size Self-employed
Nat
Nov 04 2021

Nail art is challenging.

What are the best parts of the job?

The best part is seeing people smile.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Getting the design right, nail art can be challenging to pull off.

Read More
Qualification Certificate (nonaccredited)
Experience 1-3
Organisation size Self-employed
Lara
Nov 04 2021

All about people.

What are the best parts of the job?

I've developed my social skills so much through working face-to-face with clients every day.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

People can be tough to deal with sometimes.

Read More
Qualification Diploma
Experience 5-10
Organisation size 0-4 employees
Rebecca
Nov 05 2021

A creative role that helps people flourish.

What are the best parts of the job?

Creating art for clients, socially interacting and watching them flourish in their lives.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

The busy schedule.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 5-10
Organisation size Self-employed
Specialisation Nail art
1 2 3

Related articles

A career as a nail technician offers enjoyment, flexibility and variety. The role allows you to use your natural creativity, socialise and help make people feel good about themselves. If the opportunity to work in this rewarding job seems perfect for you, you can access a vast catalogue of resources to help you on your way.

You can start with this article on becoming a beautician or beauty therapist.

How to Become a Nail Technician
How to Become a Nail Technician
Read More
Career Quiz Results: The Carer
Career Quiz Results: The Carer
Read More
51 Best Remote Jobs: How You Can Earn a Living Entirely Online
51 Best Remote Jobs: How You Can Earn a Living Entirely Online
Read More
What Does a Beautician or Beauty Therapist Do? Bringing Joy Through Beauty
What Does a Beautician or Beauty Therapist Do? Bringing Joy Through Beauty
Read More
How to Become a Makeup Artist
How to Become a Makeup Artist
Read More
15 Best Working From Home Jobs in 2022: How to Make Money From Home Online [Updated]
15 Best Working From Home Jobs in 2022: How to Make Money From Home Online [Updated]
Read More
How to Become a Special Effects Makeup Artist
How to Become a Special Effects Makeup Artist
Read More
How to Become a Lash Technician
How to Become a Lash Technician
Read More
High Demand Careers for Creatives in 2022: 15 Dream Jobs That Actually Pay [Updated]
High Demand Careers for Creatives in 2022: 15 Dream Jobs That Actually Pay [Updated]
Read More
What Qualification Should You Take On? (New Guide)
What Qualification Should You Take On? (New Guide)
Read More
Hairdressing Apprenticeship Guide: Everything you Need to Know
Hairdressing Apprenticeship Guide: Everything you Need to Know
Read More
Career Change Later in Life: 3 Success Stories That Will Inspire You
Career Change Later in Life: 3 Success Stories That Will Inspire You
Read More
A Day in the Life of a Beauty Therapist
A Day in the Life of a Beauty Therapist
Read More
7 Beauty Treatments You’ll Love to Learn About (and Do!)
7 Beauty Treatments You’ll Love to Learn About (and Do!)
Read More
How to Become A Mobile Hairdresser
How to Become A Mobile Hairdresser
Read More
The Carer Take the Career Quiz

Job cluster: The Carer
info 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 role as a nail technician involves pampering others, beautifying their nails and making them feel relaxed and comfortable. This career is well suited to the personality of The Carer.

The Carer loves to work in an environment where other people are the main focus. They want to make others feel their best, and their warm, personable nature allows their clients to feel at ease in their presence.

Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.

Learn More

Frequently asked questions

How much does a nail technician earn?

In Australia, the average salary for a nail technician is $49,868.00. Experienced technicians, sole traders and business owners can earn significantly more. 

What makes a good nail technician?

A good nail technician has had training in nail treatment techniques, is creative and loves to look after others. 

What skills do you need to be a nail technician?

Nail technicians need skills and knowledge in the beauty industry. They need to know how to perform nail services safely and effectively and need strong time management and communication skills. 

How do you become a mobile nail technician?

To become a self-employed mobile nail technician, you need to have high-level skills in nail services, excellent customer management, and work well independently. 

Some things you need to get started:

  • Put together a marketing and business plan
  • Register yourself as a sole trader
  • Implement a booking and payment system
  • Purchase products to use for your clients
  • Ensure you have all of the tools of the trade 
  • A mode of transport 
Can you become a nail technician online?

You can study to become a nail tech online with many course providers. Some qualifications require you also to take part in a work placement to gain practical skills in a salon environment.

  • Popular Subjects
  • Qualification Levels
  • Government Funded Courses
  • Job Outcomes
  • Accounting
  • Aged Care
  • Agriculture
  • Animal Care
  • Beauty
  • Bookkeeping
  • Business Administration
  • Child Care
  • Community Services
  • Counselling
  • Disability
  • Education
  • Eyelash Extension
  • Health
  • IT
  • Mental Health
  • MYOB
  • Small Business
  • Veterinary Nursing
  • Xero Courses
  • View More
  • Certificate
  • Certificate II
  • Certificate III
  • Certificate IV
  • Diploma
  • Bachelor
  • University
  • Online Courses
  • Short Courses
  • View More
  • Adelaide
  • Brisbane
  • Canberra
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Tasmania
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia
  • View More
  • Aged Care Worker
  • Allied Health Assistant
  • Bookkeeper
  • Business Analyst
  • Childcare Worker
  • Counsellor
  • Data Analyst
  • Dental Assistant
  • Disability Support Worker
  • Dog Groomer
  • Massage Therapist
  • Nail Technician
  • Naturopath
  • Pharmacy Assistant
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Social Worker
  • Support Worker
  • Teachers Aide
  • Youth Worker
  • View More
Copyright © 2022 Training.com.au Contact About Privacy Terms