In Queensland, the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (desbt) has approved the apprenticeship option for the diploma of beauty treatment.

After almost two years and an extensive amount of work to ensure the standard of delivery will meet the qualification requirements as well as to industry standards, the Diploma of Beauty Therapy will now be made available in Queensland also through an Apprenticeship framework. The announcement was made last week as DESBT approved this initiative.

While Qld is the first to implement this program other states are also seeking to introduce the same structure.

This qualification will reflect the role of individuals employed as beauty therapists to provide a broad range of beauty treatment services including facial treatments, body massage and treatments, hair removal, lash and brow treatments, nails and make-up services. 

The training will also include consultation with clients to provide beauty advice, recommended beauty treatments and services as well sales of retail products.  Candidates will work relatively autonomously and they will be accountable for personal output.  The training will involve the self-directed application of knowledge and skills with substantial depth in some areas where judgment is required in planning and selecting appropriate equipment, services, and techniques. The practical aspect of the training will be typically conducted in beauty salons and spas.

At this point we are awaiting to hear the Training Ombudsman’s ruling on the funding eligibility however, we are optimistic that this will be finalised early in 2022.

A big thank you to Jenni Champion, Industry Skills Advisor with the NRA who coordinated this project.  This was a combined industry effort with RTOs, salon and clinic owners and Associations as we all focused on ensuring the design was able to deliver high quality training.

APAN was also pleased for the opportunity to contribute to this process. 

A special thanks to Gay Wardle who worked tirelessly towards the mapping aspect of this qualification. We believe that many of the concerns for the effective mode of delivery of this program have been adequately addressed and ironed-out to ensure a robust training program that can best support current business needs and which many business owners will welcome in 2022.