Building a Stronger Future for Australia’s Beauty Workforce.

Australia’s beauty industry is a cornerstone of personal care and wellbeing, reaching into every community across the country. From the beauticians who boost everyday confidence to the therapists who deliver specialised treatments, beauty professionals play a vital role in how we look, feel and connect.

Yet the industry is under pressure. Persistent shortages of salon, spa and clinic managers, beauty therapists and make-up artists, combined with low pay, physically demanding work, and limited career pathways are pushing skilled professionals out and impacting attraction to the industry.

As the Jobs and Skills Council for the Personal Services sector, Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) is leading the response. SaCSA’s Workforce Plan Update highlighted these pressing issues, and now they’re working with industry to drive solutions. Current projects focus on strengthening training pathways, tackling retention challenges and opening new career opportunities to secure the sector’s future.

Understanding the Shortages

SaCSA has launched a national project to understand why some of the most important jobs in beauty are increasingly hard to fill. The focus is on three critical roles: salon managers who keep businesses running, make-up artists who can face insecure work, and beauty therapists who are nationally recognised as being in shortage. These roles are central to the industry’s success, and SaCSA is digging into the reasons people leave, the barriers to career growth, and the opportunities to bring more people into the profession.

Research That Reflects Reality

SaCSA’s evidence-based approach combines data from national sources with direct conversations with industry, unions and training providers. Already, some common themes are emerging:

• Many new entrants lack the digital, communication and customer-service skills now expected in salons.

• Gaps in leadership and management training are making it harder for businesses to build positive workplace cultures.

• Women make up the majority of the beauty workforce and often leave within three to five years, with limited support to return later in their careers.

• Professionals are moving into self-employment, and the lack of mandatory qualifications is raising concerns, particularly as the use of advanced technologies and specialised equipment becomes more common. By listening closely to industry voices, SaCSA is ensuring that future solutions are grounded in the real-world experience of professionals at the frontline of the beauty industry.

Have Your Say: Shape the Future of Beauty

SaCSA is conducting a national survey to better understand the drivers of shortages, from skills gaps and attraction challenges, to pay, career progression and workforce re-entry.

This is a critical opportunity for salon, clinic and spa owners, beauty professionals, independent educators, suppliers and all those working in or with the industry to share their experiences. Your insights will directly shape SaCSA’s recommendations for training, workforce planning and long-term policy.

The short survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and closes on Friday, 17 October 2025 at 5:00 pm AEST.

Smarter Training and Qualifications

Alongside this research, SaCSA is reviewing and updating the Diploma of Salon Management to ensure beauty qualifications are up to date and aligned with what employers and clients expect. This is part of a wider national push to modernise vocational training, cutting red tape and ensuring courses are practical, relevant and aligned with industry needs.

The updated training package will provide aspiring beauty professionals with stronger digital literacy, better business skills, and clearer pathways for career progression. It will provide employers with job-ready graduates who can step into roles with confidence.

Looking Ahead

SaCSA’s research aims to strengthen training and workforce development across the beauty industry. These findings will help shape future projects aimed at improving staff retention, supporting sustainable businesses, and creating clear career opportunities. For aspiring beauty professionals, that means more relevant qualifications and better pathways into rewarding beauty careers. For employers and educators, it means greater confidence in attracting and keeping skilled people. And for clients, it means the industry they rely on for confidence, care and creativity will continue to evolve with their needs.

Stay Connected

Stay informed on SaCSA’s projects and consultation opportunities aimed at strengthening the beauty workforce. Scan the QR code to register your interest.