Accepting Applications

Nationally Recognised RPL Pathway

Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics

SHB20121

You have spent time on the retail floor, guiding customers through skincare routines and demonstrating the latest cosmetic products. We are currently establishing partnerships with Registered Training Organisations to offer a recognition pathway for this qualification. By registering your interest, you will be the first to know when we can help you demonstrate that your hands-on experience meets the national standard.

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About This Qualification

This qualification reflects the role of retail sales personnel involved in a defined range of tasks to sell and demonstrate beauty or cosmetic products. They follow known routines and procedures, and work under direct supervision. This qualification provides a pathway to work as a retail sales consultant in any business that sells beauty or cosmetic products and services. This can include beauty and hairdressing salons, retail outlets and department stores. The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

Qualification Code

SHB20121

Training Package

SHB — Hairdressing and Beauty Services Training Package

AQF Level

Certificate II

Total Units

15 (9 core + 6 elective)

Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

RPL It Status: Available

Important: RPL It Australia is a student support service. All assessment and qualification issuance is conducted by our partner Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). RPL It does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.

Career Outcomes

According to training.gov.au, this qualification supports the following roles:

RoleResponsibilities
Retail Cosmetics AssistantProviding expert advice on skincare and cosmetic products while demonstrating application techniques to customers in a retail environment.
Beauty ConsultantAssisting clients in selecting suitable beauty services and products based on their individual needs and skin types.
Sales Assistant (General)Managing retail transactions and maintaining professional standards within a beauty or personal services environment.

Delivering Registered Training Organisations

All assessment and qualification issuance for this qualification is carried out by one of the following partner RTOs, each of which holds SHB20121 on their scope of registration with ASQA:

Which RTO will deliver my qualification? The delivering RTO will be confirmed during your skills review and prior to enrolment. Your qualification will be issued directly by the delivering RTO and is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Fees

Final pricing will be confirmed before enrolment.

You will receive a detailed, personalised quote — including the total fee, payment terms, interest-free payment plan options, and the name of the delivering RTO — before you are asked to enrol or make any payment.

Refund policy:If RPL It is unable to process your application, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid to RPL It. Once your portfolio has been submitted to the RTO for assessment, the RTO's refund policy applies. Details will be provided before enrolment.

Indicative Timeframes

✓ What we control

  • • Guiding you through evidence gathering
  • • Submitting a complete portfolio to the RTO
  • • Following up on your behalf

⏳ What we don't control

  • • The RTO's assessment workload
  • • The assessor's evaluation timeline
  • • The qualification issuance process

Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4–6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. Individual timeframes vary based on qualification complexity, evidence completeness, and RTO capacity.

Roles & Responsibilities

RPL It AustraliaDelivering RTO
RoleStudent support serviceRegistered Training Organisation
Initial skills review✅
Evidence gathering guidance✅
Formal assessment✅ Qualified assessors
Assessment judgement✅ Made by the RTO
Gap trainingAvailable if required (delivered by RTO)
Qualification issuance✅ Issued by the RTO
Complaints & appealsOwn complaints process✅ RTO process applies to assessments

RPL It Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 55 689 826 917) is not an RTO and does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.

Ready to get recognised?

Start with a free skills review to see if your experience aligns with this qualification.

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Could RPL Be Right for You?

Experience can be evidence.

RPL is the process that helps you demonstrate it.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a formal assessment process that evaluates the skills, knowledge, and experience you've gained through your career to determine whether you meet the requirements of a nationally recognised qualification. It isn't a shortcut — it applies the same assessment standards as any other pathway.

RPL typically involves:

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A review of your work experience against the qualification requirements

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Compilation of an evidence portfolio demonstrating your competency

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Assessment by a qualified assessor from a Registered Training Organisation

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If gaps are identified, targeted training to build on your existing expertise

ℹ️ Important Pathway Advice

RPL isn't the right pathway for everyone. If you don't have substantial, relevant, and current industry experience, a traditional study pathway may serve you better.

Our approach:

“We'd rather guide you to the right pathway than enrol you in the wrong one.”

What Kind of Experience Counts?

If RPL becomes available for this qualification, the types of experience and evidence that would typically be relevant include:

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Work History & Roles

  • ✓A comprehensive resume detailing your retail cosmetics experience
  • ✓Position descriptions outlining your responsibilities in a salon or retail setting
  • ✓Employment references or letters from supervisors confirming your roles
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Product Consultation & Application

  • ✓Photos or videos of makeup applications you have performed on clients
  • ✓Product recommendation logs or client consultation records
  • ✓Evidence of skincare demonstrations conducted for customers
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Salon Operations & Hygiene

  • ✓Workplace hygiene checklists and health and safety compliance records
  • ✓Evidence of financial transaction processing and POS system usage
  • ✓Stock management records or visual merchandising display photos
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Professional Standards

  • ✓Performance reviews or supervisor feedback regarding team communication
  • ✓Records of professional social media usage for business promotion
  • ✓Documentation of compliance with organisational policies and procedures
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Not sure if you qualify?

Speak with our team for a free eligibility discussion.

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This is general guidance based on training.gov.au. Specific requirements will be confirmed by the delivering RTO's assessor when RPL becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this qualification and RPL.

Is this qualification currently available through RPL It?▾
We are currently in the process of establishing partnerships with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that specialise in this qualification. While we cannot facilitate an assessment today, registering your interest ensures you are notified as soon as the pathway is open.
Why should I register my interest?▾
Registering your interest allows us to gauge demand and accelerate the partnership process with relevant RTOs. It also ensures you receive early access to the skills review process once the qualification is active on our platform.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one from full-time study?▾
Yes. A qualification achieved through Recognition of Prior Learning is identical to one earned through traditional study. It is issued by a Registered Training Organisation and holds the same national weight because it assesses you against the same competency standards.
Does my experience in applying makeup for clients count?▾
Lived expertise in design and makeup application is a core component of this qualification. If you have experience applying makeup in a professional or retail capacity and can provide evidence such as photos or client logs, this will be highly relevant for your future assessment.
What if my experience is mostly in skincare rather than makeup?▾
This qualification covers both retail skincare and makeup application. During the evidence gathering phase, your consultant will guide you on how to present your skincare expertise while identifying any specific areas where makeup application evidence may also be required.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one obtained through full-time study?▾
Yes. RPL is a legitimate form of assessment within the Australian VET system. The qualification issued is identical to one obtained through any other mode of delivery and is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Who assesses my evidence?▾
Your evidence is assessed by a qualified assessor employed or contracted by the delivering Registered Training Organisation (RTO) — not by RPL It. The assessor holds the credentials required under the 2025 Standards for RTOs and has current industry experience.
What if gaps are identified in my skills?▾
If the assessor identifies areas where your evidence does not fully demonstrate competency, the RTO can provide gap training. The RTO will discuss any associated requirements or costs with you if this becomes necessary. Gap training is targeted to the specific areas identified and is designed to help you meet the full requirements of the qualification.
What if I don’t have enough experience for RPL?▾
If the initial skills review indicates that RPL is not suitable for you at this time, we’ll let you know honestly and discuss alternative options. We would rather direct you to the right pathway than enrol you in a process that won’t lead to a successful outcome.
How long does the RPL process take?▾
Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4–6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. However, this is an average based on past outcomes — not a guarantee. Factors include qualification complexity, evidence completeness, whether gap training is required, and the RTO’s current assessment capacity.
Can I do this from outside Australia?▾
This depends on the specific qualification. Many qualifications are based on Australian codes, standards, and legislation, and some require access to an Australian workplace for assessment. If you are based outside Australia, please contact us to discuss whether RPL is feasible for your circumstances.

Related Qualifications

Other qualifications in the Hairdressing and Beauty Services Training Package.

Advanced Diploma

Advanced Diploma of Intense Pulsed Light and Laser for Hair Reduction

SHB60125

Advanced Diploma

Advanced Diploma of Skin Therapy

SHB60221

Certificate II

Certificate II in Salon Assistant

SHB20216

Certificate III

Certificate III in Barbering

SHB30516

Certificate III

Certificate III in Beauty Services

SHB30121

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