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Occupation Details

Beauty Therapist



Duties and Tasks

Beauty therapists may perform the following tasks:

  • carry out skin analysis and give advice about skin and body care
  • perform facial or body massage and/or aromatherapy treatment
  • analyse body type and advise on exercise programs and nutrition
  • use a variety of treatments and electrical equipment to treat individual skin and body conditions
  • remove facial and body hair by electrolysis or waxing
  • provide advice and support to clients following cosmetic surgery
  • recognise problems and refer clients to medical practitioners such as dermatologists, plastic surgeons, endocrinologists, podiatrists, chiropractors and physiotherapists
  • apply make-up
  • perform manicures, pedicures, nail extensions and eyelash and brow tinting
  • perform reception duties (such as receive bookings and arrange appointments)
  • maintain client records
  • provide advice on and sell cosmetic products and related beauty equipment.

Specialisations

A beautician provides waxing, manicure, pedicure, eyelash and brow tinting and make-up application services.
A beauty consultant an experienced senior sales assistant who promotes one or more brands of cosmetic products in department stores and pharmacies by providing advice on the purchase and application of cosmetics.

Quick Facts

School subjects that include some aspect of ART provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases an art-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
School subjects that include some aspect of BIOLOGY provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a biology-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
School subjects that include some aspects of CHEMISTRY provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a chemistry-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to undertake.
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed area protected from the weather.
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing skills.
The main duties and tasks involved in these jobs are usually performed standing up for periods of at least two hours at a stretch.
Included are jobs providing services in the hospitality and tourism industries, in areas such as accommodation, and food and beverage preparation.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH PEOPLE, to help, inform, teach or treat them. Activities include discussing personal issues, listening to people's problems, and providing advice, instruction, information or treatment to meet their needs.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH PEOPLE, to sell to, influence, motivate, negotiate with, or serve them. Activities include selling, promoting or providing goods or services, bargaining, or presenting a point of view.
Jobs in this group usually require completion of secondary education and/or completion of some further study of a vocational nature, such as a Diploma or an Advanced Diploma.

Personal Requirements

  • well groomed at all times
  • good health
  • pleasant and tactful
  • genuine interest in people
  • good hand-eye coordination
  • sensitive when dealing with clients for body and facial treatments.

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Providing a client with a facial and beauty consultation

Providing a client with a facial and beauty consultation