- Nail Technician
- Nail Artist
Build an exciting new career working closely with people by studying a nail technician course.
You want an exciting and creative career working closely with people. Learn professional skills and turn your creativity into a career by studying an exciting nail technician course.
Working closely with clients to conduct consultations and apply nail treatments, graduates of nail technician courses provide a wide range of services aimed at helping people get the nail treatments and beauty care they need. Working as a nail technician, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of people, and use your unique skillset to make someone’s day.
Studying a nail technician course, you’ll learn how to give professional manicures and pedicures, design beautiful nail art, apply acrylic and gel enhancements, and work safely in a professional nail salon environment.
A niche and exploding beauty trend, nail art and care is a specialisation seeking skilled professionals with creative ideas. By studying a nail technician course, you’ll build the essential theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to stand out in a competitive market, and provide safe and recognised services your clients can trust.
You may study a nail technician course as a certificate or diploma course, or study nail artistry as part of a beauty therapy course. After completing a nail technician course, you’ll likely work in a private spa or salon setting as a nail technician, or may work independently in a home environment.
A nail technician course will give you the opportunity to unlock your creativity, challenge yourself, and build a broad range of in-demand workplace skills. In addition to learning the essential beauty techniques required to work as a nail technician, you’ll also learn key skills in salon management, financial management and people management in a nail technician course, setting you up for an exciting and rewarding future career in the beauty industry.
If you love with people and are seeking a rewarding hands-on career, working as a nail technician is for you.
What do nail technician graduates do?
As a nail technician, you can expect to perform tasks like:
- Consulting with clients to analyse nail characteristics and conditions;
- Advising clients on suitable nail care routines, treatments and beauty applications;
- Performing manicures and pedicures;
- Organising, cleaning and stocking nail therapy products;
- Applying artificial nails and nail art, including nail jewellery and nail painting;
- Performing nail repair and conducting other specialised hand and foot treatments;
- Using electrical equipment to clean, shape, buff and airbrush nails;
- Evaluating nail therapy processes and products;
- Advising clients on nail care;
- Scheduling, receiving and organising appointments and bookings;
- Maintaining client records;
- Conducting client interactions and customer service;
- Researching and maintaining awareness of nail trends and products; and
- Providing advice on and selling nail and other beauty products.
Depending on the nature and scope of your role, you may also perform general administrative tasks relating to the successful management of a nail or beauty salon.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
As your career progresses, you may take the opportunity to work in more senior roles. Job opportunities for nail technicians later in their careers include opportunities working as a spa manager, salon manger, or beauty therapist, or continuing to run a successful independent nail therapy business.
After completing a beauty therapy course, you’ll likely seek employment as a:
You’ll enjoy working as a nail technician if you:
- Thrive when working with people
- Can work well independently
- Are creative
- Have strong time management and organisational skills
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Enjoy detailed work
- Can manage multiple priorities at once
- Have excellent customer service skills
- Can pay attention to detail
- Have an interest in beauty and wellness
- Are interest in nail beauty and technology
Job opportunities
The Australian Government’s Job Outlook reports that the nail technician profession in Australia is large and growing. Approximately 24,500 people are employed as nail technicians in Australia, and the profession is expected to grow to employ approximately 30,800 people by 2020.
Average Salaries
PayScale reports that graduates of nail technician courses can expect to earn a salary between $31,000 and $51,000 per year, with an average industry salary of approximately $44,000 per year. While a positive relationship exists between work experience and earning capacity, PayScale notes that entry-level technicians can skill command competitive salaries, earning approximately $38,000 per year.