Diploma of Beauty Therapy

The SHB50121 is a nationally recognised qualification and the industry standard for anyone wanting to work as a professional beauty therapist in Australia. Over 12 months, you’ll build practical skills across the full scope of beauty therapy from facial treatments and massage therapy to nail services, makeup, waxing and client consultation. It’s the credential employers across Australia’s spas, salons, and clinics look for.

The course runs for 12 months. You’ll study 2 days on campus and 1 day online per week, with two timetable options to choose from: Monday/Tuesday on campus with Wednesday online, or Thursday/Friday on campus with Wednesday online. The blended structure is designed to fit around real life, whether you’re working, caring for family or managing other commitments.

No prior experience in beauty therapy is required. You need to be at least 17 years old and demonstrate a sufficient level of language, literacy and numeracy. Our team will walk you through what that involves. Holding a Year 12 certificate or Certificate IV qualification can speed up the process, but it’s not a dealbreaker if you don’t have one.

You can find the current course fees here. eWC is an approved provider of VET Student Loans. Speak to our student liaison team to understand what you’d actually pay.

Please note that we do not accept international students. If you are a permanent resident, you are not eligible for VET Student Loans and are subject to the full tuition fee.

You will be required to buy a uniform to complete your diploma. For further details and to see a detailed breakdown of resource items, see our tuition fee schedule.

It’s all included. Practical training takes place in our student spa on campus at Docklands, Melbourne, where you work with real clients under trainer supervision. There’s no need to source your own work placement. By the time you graduate, you’ll already have genuine, client-facing experience under your belt.

Yes, and many students do. Because your practical skills develop progressively throughout the year, opportunities to work within the endota spa network can open up well before you’ve completed your qualification. It’s one of the more tangible benefits of training within an active industry network rather than in isolation.

A diploma of beauty therapy opens doors to a wide range of roles from beauty therapist and spa therapist through to management, freelance work and education. Starting salaries begin at $60,000. For a full breakdown, see the Career Outcomes section above.

Yes. If you’ve come across the term esthetician or cosmetology through American or Canadian sources, the Australian equivalent is a qualified beauty therapist. The diploma in beauty therapy covers the same core territory, skincare, facials, body treatments, client consultation, and product knowledge, and is the recognised professional standard here.

The most significant difference is the industry connection. As part of the endota network, eWC students train in a genuine spa environment with access to employment pathways that aren’t available elsewhere. By the time you graduate, the transition into work tends to feel natural — because in many ways, you’ve already started.

Book a chat with our Student Liaison team, it’s free, and there’s no obligation. They’ll talk you through the course, your eligibility for funding, intake dates and what to expect from the process.