Should I pursue a beauty or hairdressing career in Australia?
Fashion and beauty go hand in hand when it comes to making people feel good about themselves.
From stylish haircuts and the latest cosmetic products to advanced skincare treatments; however people invest in themselves, it almost always includes how they look.
So if you are interested in starting a career in the beauty and fashion industry but aren’t quite sure how to begin, you might want to check the options for fashion and beauty courses on offer from Academia, as part of our free government funded courses online.
This can be your first step in becoming the hairdresser, beauty therapist and even the salon manager that you’ve always wanted to be.
Is beauty a good career?
The beauty industry is an attractive career for most people interested in cosmetics, hair styling, and the fashion industry as a whole.
No two days will ever be the same; this dynamic, exciting, and thrilling industry is always keen for motivated, talented people just like you to enter it!
Here are a few reasons why you should take the first step towards a fantastic future in beauty
1. Job security
You will always see a lot of beauty therapists who work in every region of Australia.
There is a lot of work for people in the beauty industry, considering the increase in demand for services like essential beauty and pampering treatments.
By 2024, an estimated 50,700 workers are expected to fill different positions in the beauty industry.
Earnings for beauty therapists are also expected to grow depending on their work experience and background.
2. Flexible work schedules
The flexibility of the work opportunities for beauty therapists will also play an important factor, whether you want to work full-time or part-time, and also whether you wish to work as an employee, or establish your own business.
Most salons offer extended operating hours (for example, evening hours until 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays), which means you may be able to take up day hours or evening hours, or even Saturday shifts, too.
This can help you define your most appropriate hours to achieve a healthy work-life balance to suit your unique circumstances.
This may also be impacted by the types of services your clinic offers, as well as whether you provide the option of home visits to reach a larger client base.
The typically wider breadth of operational hours means you can mix and match your weeks to find a schedule that suits you best.
3. Variety of working opportunities
After successfully completing one of our beauty therapy courses online, you have many careers and work opportunities to explore, whether that’s in a spa, salon, or a beauty clinic.
But the opportunities don’t just end there. What about film and TV sets? Runway and fashion shows? Performing arts?
However, the industry also welcomes specialists, so if you’d like to narrow down to just a few specific services, such as waxing or tanning, then you can explore this niche and develop strong skills to become a client favourite!
What are the main career paths in the beauty industry?
The beauty therapy industry as a whole is expansive. It covers all aspects of beauty and care, including nail treatments, makeup, massage therapy, and hairdressing.
Along with such a vast experience comes an equally large amount of career opportunities and pathways to follow, such as:
- Beauty therapist
- Skin therapist
- Day spa manager or owner
- Salon manager or owner
- Nail technician
- Makeup artist
- Massage therapist
- Mobile beauty services
- Eyelash technician
- Fashion stylist
What skills do I need to be a beauty therapist?
Working in the beauty industry is a form of art; you need both creativity and skill when it comes to this unique field.
It takes imagination, discipline, and confidence to hone your skills and expand your talents!
Strict attention to detail
Being detail-oriented is a skill that beauty therapists must possess for them to produce great outcomes time and time again.
When you are detail-oriented, you leave less room for fewer mistakes, and you’re able to work as neatly and efficiently as possible, maintaining a high-quality output.
Excellent customer service and people skills
Effective and proper communication with clients leads to customer retention and positive customer relationships.
Strong communication is important to ensure you know how to handle various client requests. This also means building rapport and customer loyalty through genuine communication.
You need to learn how to handle customer complaints and feedback to show respect and courtesy to your customers.
Effective communication skills are also important in managing staff and working within a team.
Outstanding time management skills
The discipline of starting and ending on time is a skill that beauty therapists, hairstylists and makeup artists must practice when working with their clients.
Mastering this area helps you effectively fill your schedules, and also respects the time of the client.
It might take a bit of trial and error to work out how long different kinds of services typically take, but over time, you’ll gain great insight into timings.
This will ensure that you can effectively plan appointments to ensure no client is left waiting too long, and no staff member runs off their feet with back-to-back sessions.
You also need to remember that operational hours don’t just mean hours spent with clients – it could mean staff training, team meetings, and all the other parts associated with running a business, like accounting, payroll, rostering, and appointment management.
Creative flair
A strong artistic flair makes you a perfect fit in the beauty industry.
When you specialise in hairdressing, makeup, or beauty therapy, a strong sense of creativity and an understanding of what your clients want is the perfect formula to outstanding results, a thriving customer base, and a fulfilling career.
If you see the world in a different way, and are passionate about art, beauty, and style, then this industry sounds perfect for you!
How do I start a career in the beauty industry?
First stop: Explore our beauty therapy courses!
Are you interested in all aspects of beauty, but aren’t sure where to start?
Academia combines classroom-based learning with practical workshops and real-world job placements that will prepare you for a rewarding career in the ever-growing beauty industry.
Academia is an institute in Melbourne that offers theoretical and hands-on applications of hairdressing, beauty therapy and salon management from instructors with their very own experience within the industry.
Whether you’re planning to turn your interest in makeup and hairdressing into a freelance position or a full-time career, Academia provides you with the right skills and knowledge to become a skilled expert.
Explore our Victorian government funded courses, including our beauty therapy courses.
Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy (SHB40115)
The Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy provides training and education of various salon services such as skin care, makeup design and application, and last treatments. It includes a 10-week work placement (3 days per week).
Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115)
Planning to operate your own spa or salon? Build your leadership skills and apply sustainable work practices for you and your staff.
This Diploma of Beauty Therapy in Melbourne is designed to give you comprehensive knowledge and expertise in the various salon services you can provide your clients.
Certificate III in Hairdressing (SHB30416)
Acquire technical hairdressing skills such as hair cutting, design, styling, and hair colouring.
This course helps you develop and strengthen effective communication skills, customer service skills, health knowledge, and hygiene to pursue a successful career in hairdressing.
Certificate IV in Hairdressing (SHB40216)
Hairdressers who have completed the Certificate III can enter the Cert 4 in Beauty Therapy.
You’ll be working with senior hairdressers who will serve as technical advisers and enable you to provide specialised hairdressing services.
Diploma of Salon Management (SHB50216)
The Diploma of Salon Management includes 20 weeks of on-campus training and a 20-week internship in a salon.
Aspiring hairdressers who want to own or manage their own salon will learn valuable business skills, including planning, monitoring, and evaluating systems and services.
Explore our beauty courses in Melbourne!
Take your skills and knowledge in beauty and fashion to the next level with Academia.
We train and help aspiring hairdressers and makeup artists to be experts at our beauty school in Melbourne.
If you have any questions about our beauty courses, our friendly team is happy to chat.
Contact our friendly counsellors and advisers by filling in this enquiry form or by calling our Melbourne campus on (03) 9671 4755. Alternatively, you can apply online now!
