Beauty Therapist

Certificate III in Beauty Services

2008 - Semester One

While most would agree that beauty begins on the inside, beauty therapists offer services designed to remedy or alleviate skin disorders or generally help improve and beautify the skin.

The range of beauty therapy treatments on offer is extensive and literally can cater for people from head to toe. Treatments include facial or body waxing treatments, facials, body massage, eyelash tinting, cellulite wraps and manicures and pedicures. Aside from hand-applied treatments such as body scrubs, beauty therapists also often use electrotherapy equipment to treat skin and body conditions. Electrolysis equipment is commonly used for hair removal while some clients may enlist the help of a figure trimmer to give their unworked muscles a workout.

Not quite the career you are looking for? Please try the related course profiles below:

Artistic and Creative

Actor,  Artist,  Author/ Book Editor,  Baker and Pastry Chef,  Beauty Therapist,  Dancer and Choreographer,  Fashion Designer,  Film,Stage, TV and Radio Director,  Florist,  Graphic and Multimedia Designer,  Interior Decorator,  Jeweller and Gem Cutter,  Marketing Specialists,  Musician,  Painters and Decorator,  Photographer,  Signwriter,  Sound Engineer / Sound Technician

Influencing and Personal Contact

Aboriginal and Torres Islander Health Worker,  Actor,  Author/ Book Editor,  Bar Attendant,  Beauty Therapist,  Building Surveyor,  Butcher,  Child Care Worker,  Counsellor and Community Worker,  Fashion Designer,  Film,Stage, TV and Radio Director,  Florist,  Gaming Workers,  Hotel Motel Manager,  Human Resources Manager,  Marketing Specialists,  Musician,  Nursing (enrolled),  Occupational Health & Safety Professional,  Police Officer,  Project and Program Administrator,  Real Estate Agents & Property Managers,  Restaurant and Catering Manager,  Retail Buyer,  Retail Sales,  School Services Officer,  Security Officer,  Tourist Information Officer,  Travel and Tour Consultant,  VET in Schools Teachers,  Youth Worker and Disability Worker

Scientific

Beauty Therapist,  Brewer,  Computer Systems Engineering Associate,  Electronic Engineering Associate,  Geologist and Geophysicist,  Viticulturist and Vineyard Hand

Of those currently employed 39% have advanced diplomas or diplomas; 17% have 'not defined certificates'; 9% have certificate I or II; and 9% have a Bachelor degree. In order for you to have the best possible chance of finding employment it is recommended that you gain the available qualifications.

TAFE SA offers the following courses to help you find employment in this occupation: Certificate IV and Diploma of Beauty Therapy; Certificate II in Nail Technology and Certificate II in Make-up Services. Please note that it is also possible to complete specific modules/subjects within courses to develop knowledge in a certain area of beauty therapy or enhance particular skills.

For further information about these courses please check the TAFE SA website, www.tafe.sa.edu.au. Still Unsure! Then contact the TAFE SA Information Line on 1800 882 661 to enquire about the availability of related short courses.

Retail sales go hand in hand with the beauty industry, so beauty therapists need to be confident when doing the selling. This stems back to good product knowledge and understanding a client's needs. There are some skin problems that beauty therapists are not trained to deal with, however they should be able to identify problems such as dermatitis and eczema and recommend if necessary, that a client consult a medical practitioner.

Personal And Other Services

Noelene Wills – Hair and Beauty
'TAFE staff provide tremendous amounts of support and encouragement, I learn from them everyday.'
Hair and Beauty is a career that Noelene has always been interested in. 'I have wanted to do hair and beauty for a long time, even as a teenager,' she said. 'But at the time there were not many courses around and you had to pay thousands.'

Noelene completed her category one Certificate in Work Place Training and qualifications in Cosmetology, Nail Technology and Body Massage at TAFE and decided to return to study after hearing about the Hair and Beauty courses offered. 'I leapt at the chance when I heard about it,' she said.

Noelene enrolled in the Pre Employment program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Hair and Beauty Careers and continued on to complete the Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Certificate III in Hair and Beauty. 'TAFE definitely gave me the skills and the tools to be used in the program now,' she said. 'I was aware of what to expect, which made it easier to come back. I knew what I was going to get in terms of the support offered and being from an Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander background, I knew it was a comfortable environment,' she said.

In 2003, Noelene won the South Australian Training Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year and currently works as the Aboriginal Student Support Officer in the Hair and Beauty program at TAFE. Noelene has many goals, her main ones being to study a Bachelor of Teaching and to continue to help and support her children in their own education.

Noelene commends the continuous support that the lecturers and staff offer to the students. 'The TAFE staff provide tremendous amounts of support and encouragement, I learn from them everyday.' she said. 'It’s also given me the opportunity to put something back into the Aboriginal community.'

Beauty therapists provide treatments and advice on skin care. Often a first booking is scheduled so that beauty therapists can carry out a skin analysis. This determines a client's skin type so that they can recommend the most appropriate skincare regime. Cosmetic products and treatments that may help the client are also recommended by beauty therapists. When not attending to their clients, beauty therapists undertake general receptionist duties such as making appointments and maintaining clients' records.

Beauty therapists need to be well-groomed at all times. They need to be pleasant and tactful and have a genuine interest in people. It is essential that they have good hand-eye coordination and are professional during a client’s body and facial treatment.

'I completed a beauty course so that I could learn how to look after my skin better. I've always been a people person and I was interested in doing something where I could help others. I've always wanted to teach, so I turned what I learned for myself into a teaching opportunity,' says a beauty therapist. This is an excellent career choice for those interested in working closely with people. Beauty therapists share close contact with their clients and may be required to treat what a client perceives as an embarrassing condition, so good interpersonal and communication skills are highly desired.

Men are increasingly enlisting the services provided by beauty therapists, which largely attributes to a therapist's communication skills. 'More and more men are coming in for treatments such as facials and massages on a regular basis. After all, they have skincare needs too. But it comes down to the way in which beauty therapists communicate with them.' With so many products available to consumers, offering sound product advice is integral to beauty therapists establishing a good relationship with their clients. 'If a client is using the wrong product I recommend alternative products which would better suit them, and I also educate them to use them correctly. Clients should be able to trust that their beauty therapist is giving them good advice and not just selling them something to make more money,' says a local beauty therapist.

For further information, contact:

Advanced Association of Beauty Therapists
Suite 224, 813 Pacific Hwy Chatswood NSW 2067
Ph: (02) 9415 4633
Fax: (02) 9415 4722
Email: aabth@ozemail.com.au
Website: www.aabth.com.au

Services Industry Skills Council (National Office)
GPO Box 4194 Sydney NSW 2001
Ph: (02) 8243 1210 or 1800 626 335 (FREECALL)
Fax: (02) 8243 1299
Email: info@serviceskills.com.au
Website: www.serviceskills.com.au

According to an employment consultant in the beauty industry, good employment opportunities currently exist in this occupation. This is attributed to a growing awareness about the benefits of good skincare habits among women and men, as well as in the younger age groups. The occupation has also traditionally experienced a high turnover rate. Varied positions, including casual, part time and full time exist in this occupation. The starting salary is about $24,000 per year and this extends to $32,000 for someone with more experience.

For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or email tafeinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au