Certificate III in Nail Technology SHB30321

The SHB30321 Certificate III in Nail Technology is perfect for those either new to the beauty/nail industry, or those wanting to improve on their existing industry skills.   

If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation. You may be eligible to enrol into an RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) pathway, and complete your studies faster. Please note - limitations do apply. 

During your studies, you will learn how to:

• Perform manicure and pedicure treatments 
• Perform gel, dip-powder and acrylic nail enhancements 
• Design and apply a wide variety of nail art  
• Maintain strict infection control procedures 
• Provide exceptional customer service to clients 
• Design treatment plans for clients 

• Multiple choice Quiz
• Projects
• Role plays
• Video
• Work Placement
• Written assessments

The duration for the course is self paced - maximum of 12 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

Recommended Local Entry Requirements

Students will need to be at least 18 years old. Students under 18 will need a parent or guardian to complete the parent or guardian declaration on the Enrolment Form.

Students are recommended to have the language, literacy, and numeracy skills that ensure the ability to read and comprehend technical terms and communicate effectively through email.

These skills are equivalent to:

• Successfully completed Year 10 OR
• ACSF Level 2

Tools, equipment, and skills required:

• Students will need to purchase specific tools and equipment as part of this course for practice purposes and or if the hosting salon requires students to use their own products/equipment. As an Open Colleges student, you have access to purchase some discounted kits and tools for your course!  These kits include essential tools and products needed to perform a range of treatments required for your course- at a discounted rate. See this link for more information and brand suggestions. 
• Access to up to 3 people to participate in role plays and assessments
• Access to a device with audio & video capabilities to record simulated role-play tasks for submission
• Tripod to provide a stable and secure platform to mount the digital recording device
• Uniform - students may also be required to wear close-toed rubber-soled shoes and have their hair tied back. Some workplaces may also require a specific uniform
• Basic computing skills
• Access to a modern computer with high-speed internet
• Access to Microsoft Office

Additional Requirements:

• Students need to be able to sit for prolonged periods and maintain posture to minimise fatigue and risk of injury during treatment whilst performing treatments. Treatment timeframes vary from 15 minutes upwards
• Some treatments require the learner to be able to physically massage the client
• Students will need to purchase or have access to the tools and equipment required to complete assessments
• Students may also be required to wear close-toed rubber-soled shoes and have their hair tied back. Some workplaces may also require a specific uniform

Students will be required to undertake manual handling tasks including:

• Cleaning treatment rooms including lifting heavy pedicure spas full of water
• Cleaning the retail area including unpacking stock and dusting high shelves
• Assisting clients on to pedicure chair

SHBBNLS011 Use electric file equipment for nail services is a pre-requisite unit for:

• SHBBNLS007 Provide manicure and pedicure services
• SHBBNLS008 Apply gel and dip powder nail enhancements
• SHBBNLS009 Apply acrylic nail enhancements
• SHBBNLS010 Apply nail art
• SHBBNLS012 Apply advanced nail art

To ensure that students are determined as competent in SHBBNLS011 first, students will complete SHBBNLS007, SHBBNLS008, & SHBBNLS011 as a cluster. Students will complete these units over 3 tasks.

SWL 1 - Portfolio 1 – Tasks 1 and 2

• Task 1 – Students will provide manicure / pedicure services to 3 people incorporating the use of an E-file.

SWL 1 – Portfolio 2 – Task 2

• Apply dip / gel enhancements to 3 people incorporating the use of an E-file.

SWL 2 – Portfolio 1 – Task 3

• Complete the remaining manicures and pedicures and gel / dip. The use of the E-File is optional. This portfolio can only be marked once Portfolios 1 and 2 have been marked as satisfactory.

• By undertaking a work placement you’ll get a chance to put the knowledge you’ve learned on your course into practice.
• You’ll also develop practical, on-the-job skills and could make contacts that could help you find a job once you graduate.
• Work placement is often the most rewarding part of a student’s course. Working face-to-face with clients and colleagues in your chosen field makes a huge difference to your career confidence.

Focus on your studies while we handle your work placement. Through our partnership with SkilTrak, our Guaranteed Work Placement ensures you gain hands-on experience in your dream career—right in your local area. Learn more

• Meet with SkilTrak – Their team will discuss your skills, goals, location, and travel preferences to arrange the best placement for you.
• We’ll do the work – While you continue your coursework, we’ll be behind the scenes securing the perfect placement match.
• Get the details – Have a quick chat with us to go over what to expect from your work placement experience.
• Start your placement – Gain real-world experience while we check in along the way to ensure everything is running smoothly.
• Complete your course – Once your placement is done, upload your workbooks, finish your final assessment, and receive your certificate.

The Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) will require a minimum of 250 hours in an appropriate workplace that provides nail treatments and has access to a full comprehensive range of professional products for each practical treatment, supervised by a qualified staff member.

The work placement hours will be split into two blocks:

Work placement block 1 : 216 hours and may be commenced after successful completion of Modules 1 – 7 and your work placement preparation activities.  

Work placement block 2 : 34 hours and may be commenced after successful completion of Modules 9 – 12 and your work placement preparation activities.

There will also be specific assessment tasks including a logbook and portfolios to be completed at the workplace.

Workplaces suitable to undertake SWL include:
• Nail Salon
• Beauty Salon that offers the required range of nail services

The Host Organisation must be a nail services environment in Australia operating under Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards, and industry codes of practice.

For students to be able to undertake the practical component of the course, approved workplaces must be able to provide students with the required equipment, environments, policies & procedures, documentation, appropriate supervisor, and clients. If host organisations are unable to provide the necessary equipment, resources, and access to clients the student may be required to undertake SWL within 2 (or more) organisations.

The workplace may require the student to meet workplace specific requirements. These will vary by state and by organisation. Some of the statutory checks and requirements the student may need to provide to commence work placement are:
• National Criminal Record Check
• Working with Children’s Check (WWCC) or state equivalent
• Code of Conduct
• Confidentiality Agreement
• Occupational Assessment, screening and vaccination against infectious disease

Please note that your host organisation may require you to provide an up to date immunisation history prior to the commencement of your work placement. Open Colleges has no control over this requirement so if you are unable to provide this, you will need to discuss it with your intended Host Organisation.

It should also be noted that some immunisations, such as Hepatitis B and COVID-19, need multiple injections to be administered over a specific time period before you are deemed immune. It is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your work placement.

The workplace supervisor will need:

• To hold Certificate III in Nail Technology or higher and
• To have a minimum of 3 years relevant industry experience in a customer-facing role performing nail treatments