Accepting Applications

Nationally Recognised RPL Pathway

Certificate III in Make-Up

SHB30221

You have spent years perfecting the art of transformation across the beauty, fashion, and media industries. Your technical skills in design and application deserve to be formally acknowledged against national standards. We guide you in turning your creative portfolio into a nationally recognised qualification, starting with a free skills review.

Free Skills Review
★★★★★5.0 · Based on 58 reviews across all qualifications

About This Qualification

This qualification reflects the role of individuals employed as make-up artists to design and apply make-up for a range of purposes and occasions across the beauty, fashion, media and entertainment industries. These individuals possess a range of well-developed technical and consultation skills where discretion and judgement are required and are responsible for their own outputs. This includes working cooperatively with a range of individuals including photographers, fashion stylists and media production staff. Work is typically conducted as part of a team or on a freelance basis in settings such as make-up studios, retail cosmetic counters, fashion and media sets and photography studios. 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

SHB30221

Training Package

SHB — Hairdressing and Beauty Services Training Package

AQF Level

Certificate III

Total Units

15 (8 core + 7 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
Specialist Make-Up Artist (Creative)Designing and applying everything from natural looks for media to complex creative effects for production.
Freelance Make-Up ArtistOperating an independent business providing professional make-up services for weddings, events, and photography.
Retail Cosmetic ConsultantProviding expert skin analysis, product advice, and application services within a retail or studio 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 SHB30221 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.

Free Skills Review
✓

Receive a free preliminary review of your experience

✓

Dedicated consultant guides you through every step

✓

Nationally recognised qualification issued by our partner RTO

★★★★★

5.0 across all qualifications

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:

📋

A review of your work experience against the qualification requirements

💼

Compilation of an evidence portfolio demonstrating your competency

👤

Assessment by a qualified assessor from a Registered Training Organisation

🎯

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:

📝

Work History & Roles

  • ✓A comprehensive resume detailing your years in the beauty or media industry
  • ✓Position descriptions from studios, salons, or retail cosmetic counters
  • ✓Client testimonials and professional references from industry peers
📸

Artistry Portfolio

  • ✓High-resolution photographs of bridal, fashion, and creative make-up looks
  • ✓Professional social media profiles or digital lookbooks showcasing your work
  • ✓Before-and-after documentation of skin analysis and corrective techniques
🧼

Operational Evidence

  • ✓Records of workplace health, safety, and hygiene protocols followed in-studio
  • ✓Completed client consultation forms and skin assessment records
  • ✓Product inventory logs and technical equipment maintenance records
💼

Professional Engagement

  • ✓Invoices and contracts from freelance bookings or production sets
  • ✓Certificates from industry workshops or product-specific training
  • ✓Evidence of professional indemnity insurance or industry memberships
❓

Not sure if you qualify?

Speak with our team for a free eligibility discussion.

Talk to us

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.

How do I get started with RPL for this qualification?▾
The process begins with a free skills review where we evaluate your make-up artistry experience. If you are a good candidate for RPL, we will guide you in building an evidence portfolio of your work. This portfolio is then formally assessed by a qualified assessor from one of our partner RTOs to determine your competency.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one from full-time study?▾
Yes. The Certificate III in Make-Up you receive through RPL is the exact same nationally recognised qualification issued to students who complete a traditional classroom course. It is issued by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and carries equal weight with employers and industry bodies.
How long does the process typically take?▾
Once your evidence portfolio is compiled and submitted to the RTO, the formal assessment process typically takes between 4 and 6 weeks. The overall timeframe often depends on how quickly you can gather your existing work samples, photos, and references.
What kind of evidence do I need to provide for a make-up qualification?▾
Evidence typically includes a professional portfolio showing a range of looks—such as bridal, fashion, or media make-up—along with a current resume, reference letters from clients or employers, and photos or videos demonstrating your consultation and application techniques.
Can I apply for RPL if I have mostly worked as a freelance make-up artist?▾
Absolutely. Many successful candidates are freelancers. Your evidence can include client testimonials, invoices, contracts, and a comprehensive portfolio of your creative work across various purposes and occasions.
What happens if I have gaps in my experience, such as specific media make-up techniques?▾
If the RTO assessor identifies areas where your evidence doesn't fully meet the qualification requirements, they will provide targeted gap training for those specific units. This allows you to build on your existing expertise to complete the qualification without starting from scratch.
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 Retail Cosmetics

SHB20121

Certificate II

Certificate II in Salon Assistant

SHB20216

Certificate III

Certificate III in Barbering

SHB30516

Start Your Free Skills Review

Tell us about your background and we'll provide a free preliminary review of your experience against the Certificate III in Make-Up.

✓

Free Skills Review

Receive a professional review of your experience against SHB30221.

✓

Preliminary Review

Receive free guidance on whether RPL could suit your career background.

✓

No Commitments

The skills review is obligation-free and takes less than 2 minutes.

→

Start your free skills review

This qualification is available now. Continue to the free skills review and we'll pre-select SHB30221 so you can move straight into the application.

Start My Free Skills Review

No commitment. We'll provide an honest review of your experience.

Ready to Get Recognised?

Start your free skills review for SHB30221 today.

Free Skills Review