Overview
Make beauty therapy your career with the Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy SHB40121 from Victoria University Polytechnic.
Our industry professionals are here to teach you the skills for your career in the beauty industry. You will learn a range of beauty therapy treatments and services, including:
- facial treatments
- advanced facial treatments
- lash and brow treatments
- manicure and pedicure
- make-up
- waxing
- body massage
- body treatments
- advice on and selling retail skin care and cosmetic products
- lash and brow treatments
- spray tanning
- eyelash extension
- demonstrating and selling retail skin care and cosmetic products
- safe hygiene and work practices
- environmental sustainability.
The combination of classroom and practical exercises means you will graduate with skills needed to work as a competent and work-ready beauty therapist.
Hands-on learning at specialised facilities
Everything you learn at Victoria University Polytechnic has direct links to the real world. You’ll develop practical skills through hands-on learning so you’re job-ready when you graduate.
You’ll get real-life work experience at Aura at VU, our City Campus student-run hair, beauty & massage salon. This salon provides the ideal training environment, where you can practise your skills while providing a wide range of beauty services to the public. You’ll also gain valuable experience arranging bookings and greeting clients. You’ll learn from expert trainers and work under their guidance.
Award-winning students
Victoria University Polytechnic hair, beauty and make-up students won seven awards at the 2019 Hair & Beauty Industry Association (HBIA) Awards These awards provide an opportunity for industry leaders to recognise young achievers in the industry.
Learning advice
VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.
Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.
We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.
Our programs include:
- workshops
- drop-in sessions
- peer mentoring
- maths and writing resources
- resume and career guidance.
We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.
TAFE resources
Aura: hair, beauty & massage salon at City Campus.
Careers
Studying at Victoria University Polytechnic will help you get a foot in the door of the growing beauty, massage and make-up industry. Find out about employment growth for beauty therapists at Labour Market Insights.
Work is typically conducted in spas and salons. You could also work as a beauty consultant for international cosmetic companies, or as a freelance beauty consultant working from home.
You’ll be qualified to provide the following services:
- facials
- body treatments (exfoliation and massage)
- lash and brow treatments
- manicure and pedicure
- waxing services
- make-up application.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded SHB40121 Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy, a student must complete a total of Twenty-three (23) units of competency, consisting of:
- Eighteen (18) core units, and;
- Five (5) elective units, of which:
- One (1) unit from Group A: Infection control
- at least Two (2) units from Group B: Elective units
- up to Two (2) units from the list below, elsewhere in the SHB Training Package, or any other current Training Package or accredited course.
The selection of electives must be guided by the job outcome sought, local industry requirements and the complexity of skills appropriate to the AQF level of this qualification.
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback.
The course structure is made up of the following core and elective units:
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
Core units
-
- Unit code
- SHBBBOS007
-
- Unit code
- SHBBBOS008
-
- Unit code
- SHBBFAS004
-
- Unit code
- SHBBFAS005
-
- Unit code
- SHBBHRS010
-
- Unit code
- SHBBMUP009
-
- Unit code
- SHBBNLS007
-
- Unit code
- SHBBNLS011
-
- Unit code
- SHBBRES003
-
- Unit code
- SHBBSSC001
-
- Unit code
- SHBBSSC002
-
- Unit code
- SHBXCCS006
-
- Unit code
- SHBXCCS007
-
- Unit code
- SHBXCCS008
-
- Unit code
- SHBXIND003
-
- Unit code
- SHBXWHS003
-
- Unit code
- SIRXOSM002
-
Elective units
Group A: Infection Control:
-
- Unit code
- SHBBINF002
Group B: General Elective Units:
-
- Unit code
- SHBBMUP010
-
- Unit code
- SHBBFAS006
-
- Unit code
- SHBBMUP008
Imported: Elective Units:
-
- Unit code
- BSBESB401
Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers
Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT) approved by VU Polytechnic.
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of individuals who are competent in a prescribed range of beauty therapy treatments and services, including facial massage, lash and brow treatments, nail technology services, make-up, waxing, body massage, and aromatherapy as well as providing advice on and selling retail skin care and cosmetic products. Work would be undertaken as skilled beauty therapists in the beauty therapy services stream of the beauty industry.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.As part of the application process, applicants must complete a Pre-training Review (PTR) and undertake a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment to determine suitability for admission and to identify support needs.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Applications for this course are not being taken at this time.
Browse our other Beauty therapy courses or send us an enquiry to be notified of updates relating to this course.
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Contact VU Polytechnic
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
