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Diploma of Screen and Media in Specialist Makeup Services

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Download the course brochure

Ready to start your exciting career in the makeup industry?

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Overview of our Oncampus Makeup Course

Costs

Diploma of Screen and Media in Specialist Makeup Services - On Campus- CUA51020
  • Editorial Stream $20,080
  • Prosthetics Stream: $24,580
VET Student Loans (VSL) available Interest-free payment plans available
Start Dates
20 April 202613 July 20265 October 2026

Campuses and More

Delivery Modes
Face-to-Face Full TimeFace-to-Face Part Time
Campuses
BrisbaneMelbourneSydney

Duration

Full-Time

2 days per week, 12 Months course duration

Part-Time:

1 day per week, 24 months course duration

Fast-Track:

3-4 days per week, 6 months

2-3 days per week, 9 months

Entry Requirements

  • Completed Year 10 (or equivalent)
  • No ATAR required
  • Minimum age requirement of 16
  • We encourage you to attend a tour of the academy prior to enrolment
We encourage you to complete the Basic Makeup or Makeup Fundamentals short course prior to undertaking the Diploma of Screen and Media, or have some experience as a makeup artist. This will ensure you have developed an understanding of makeup application and techniques being ready for diploma level studies.

Additional Information

  • This is a nationally recognised qualification CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services)
  • Ask about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer options to reduce your study time and costs
  • This course is taught face-to-face at our campuses and you will have access to learning materials online
  • Enter the industry ready to work as a qualified Makeup Artist

Ready to start your exciting career in the makeup industry?

Enrol Now

Download our comprehensive course brochure:

This is what our Makeup Diploma is all about

Get ready for a big, non-stop, action packed course! The Diploma of Screen and Media in Specialist Makeup Services covers makeup and hair for film, television, fashion, editorial and special effects and is one of the highest qualification you can receive in Australia. For those passionate about the art of makeup effects, character and creature makeup, the Diploma of Screen and Media is the course for you. The Diploma of Screen and Media in Specialist Makeup Services is your ticket to the most exciting makeup career of all. Choose between two streams: Prosthetics or Editorial. If you dream of being a makeup artist with a broad skill set across the film, tv, productions and editorial industries, this the best suited qualification you can receive in Australia to start a career in this industry.

Welcome to the ultimate makeup diploma where you will be trained by respected industry professionals.

 

This is what you get after joining our Makeup Diploma

This is what you will learn at our campuses in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney

To achieve the CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media in Specialist Makeup Services, a total of 15 Units of Competencies must be completed. Please note that we may alter the Unit of Competency selection from time to time to meet industry expectations and stay with the pulse of time.

To enable students to specialise, we are offering two different streams, an Editorial and Prosthetics stream. Students can chose their stream of choice or study both streams (additional course fees will apply).

The course is structured into 8 Modules, clustering relevant Unit of Competencies together. Depending on your individual stream selection and study load, you will study a selected number of Modules each term. AACM's academic calendar is offering 4 terms a year with a term duration of 10 weeks. Terms commence in January, April, July and October.

How we teach and the focus of your work and assessments will be contextualised depended on the stream you elect. This will ensure that you are prepared best for the type of industry you want to work in. Our expert trainers will guide you through the modules and will be with you on your study journey.

What are you waiting for? Start your career now!

Enrol Now

Download our course brochure Here:

Your Payment Options

VET Student Loans – or short VSL – is a loan scheme provided by the Australian Government and designed to help eligible students to pay for their tuition fees. If you are an eligible student, the guaranteed government loan will help you to make your dream to become a professional Makeup Artist come true. Only selected quality providers are VSL approved and AACM is proud to be able to offer access to VSL. We acknowledge that tuition fees are a barrier for course entry, the ability to take out a VET Student Loan will ease the financial pressure and will enable you to focus on your studies. VET Student Loans is a loan and your VET Student Loan debt (VSL debt) must be paid back at the relevant repayment rate when your repayment income is above the compulsory repayment threshold. Additional loan fees may apply.

Please visit our VSL Info Page for more information.

VET Student Loans
We are offering interest free payment options for you, enabling you to pay off your course while you are studying. After deducting your initial $800 deposit from the total course fees, you can opt to pay in weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments. Our standard payment plans are designed to pay off your oncampus makeup diploma course fees over the duration of your course so you can graduate debt free.
Queensland’s Career Boost program provides eligible students with access to subsidised training in the Diploma of Screen and Media. The principal aim is to help students gain the higher-level skills required to secure employment or career advancement in a priority industry or transition to university to continue their studies. You may receive a subsidy towards your Diploma of Screen and Media if you:
  • are 15 years or older and no longer at school;
  • permanently reside in Queensland;
  • are an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident (includes humanitarian entrant), temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency, or a New Zealand citizen; and
  • not hold, and not be enrolled in, a certificate IV or higher-level qualification, not including qualifications completed at school and foundation skills training.
Student eligible for non-concessional funding under the Career Boost program will pay a reduced course fee set as the student co-contribution fee of only:

Commencing on or after 01/01/2026
  • Editorial Stream: $17,080
  • Prosthetics Stream: $21,580
Students eligible for concessional funding will pay a student co-contribution fee of only:

Commencing on or after 01/01/2026
  • Editorial Stream: $16,080
  • Prosthetics Stream: $20,580
You are eligible for the concession price of a course if you are eligible for subsidised training, and are listed on an Australian Government Low Income Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, if you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you are an adult prisoner or if you have a disability. The student co-contribution fee can be paid directly to AACM using VET Student Loans (VSL) or one of our weekly, fortnightly or monthly payment plan options. Our staff can talk you through the available options. Please refer to our Course Fee, Withdrawal and Refund Policy in our policy section.

For more information visit:
Queensland Government Career Boost
Queensland Government eligibility check

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What our students and graduates say about us

As someone that has done various online courses the AACM online Diploma is certainly the best and clearest course you can do via distance. Despite not being on campus there is still a connection with the trainers that feels genuine and real. The layout of the modules are clear; with various types of learning – […]
Learning online is always daunting. At AACM, it is so easy. Learning tools are easy to navigate and understand. The trainers are so well informed and educated, and even though they are not directly there with you, they can always assist you no matter what. The assessment tasks are always innovative and creative but most […]
I’m grateful AACM offers online learning for people like myself living in regional WA, opening pathways to my dream career. Part time online learning has fit well into my full time work schedule, preventing me from needing to put my dreams on hold. Despite living thousands of kilometres from campus, I receive excellent support from […]
Studying at AACM Sydney for my Diploma of Screen & Media was an transformative experience. Initially, I joined because of the strong focus on Special Effects Makeup, but I quickly fell in love with every subject taught, from wigs to bald caps to prosthetics. The syllabus offered a great variety, and the campus provided all […]
I want to say a big thank you to Bronwyn for your professionalism during my course. I was so stressed, but you had the patience and more patience. You are a real talent with so much advice, tips and tricks that I have learned in the time I was there.  I have gained much confidence […]
Studying at AACM had been a dream of mine for a few years and I am so insanely grateful that it was well worth moving over from Western Australia for. The trainers are highly skilled at what they do and it is clear they have a passion for all things makeup, whether that is beauty, […]
Choosing to do this course is one of the best decisions I have made for myself, and for my career!  For someone who had no makeup experience before starting, my skills and confidence have grown tremendously.  The trainers are highly skilled professionals in the makeup industry and their respective teaching fields at AACM. Their continuous […]
Choosing to Study at AACM was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life!  It has always been a dream of mine to work in makeup/SPFX within the film industry, and now that dream has become a reality thanks to AACM! AACM is such a wonderful and creative space , everyone […]

Aislynn M

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Certificate III in Hairdressing
I chose AACM because it was the top makeup school available, and completing the diploma is the best thing I’ve ever done. What I have learnt, and who I have met gave me the best start in my career. Immediately after graduating I worked on a big feature film and haven’t stopped since. I also […]
I have been working in the film and television industry for 25 years. I have been able to provide work experience and casual paid work positions for ex students of AACM on several projects. AACM students are well rounded, creative, responsible and think outside the box. They have good product knowledge and are able to […]
We like representing AACM graduate artists because we know they have the most current and up to date training, job readiness to start working on set immediately and possess proper industry on set etiquette and health and hygiene standards. AACM graduates are always professional with high skills to be working with high profile clients, elite […]
Studying at AACM has been the best decision I’ve made for my career, the trainers were my favourite part and I learnt so many new skills and techniques. I can not thank them enough, I have and will highly recommend this school!
I wish the course went for longer! I have had an amazing time meeting great people, had amazing opportunities and definitely made friends for life. The course content was great, I enjoyed all parts of the assessments. I will be keeping touch with AACM for future workshops, work and the people! I recommend people to […]
I was pleasantly blown away by the calibre of knowledge willingly shared by the school and the teachers at AACM. With the exceptional training they provided I now feel confident enough to perform in a professional manner and provide the looks and skills future employers are looking for in film and television. This school is […]
I loved every minute of the Cinemagraphic course at ACCM. I didn’t want it to end. The teachers were true professionals in their field and shared their knowledge, skills and passion. The course provided up to date techniques and only the best of everything was provided. I now feel prepared and equipped to enter a […]
I came across AACM by accident. I was at point in my life where I was purely alive, but not living. Just hearing about what this school could offer had me wide-eyed in awe. I signed up the second I could and buckled up for one of the wildest most educational rides of my life. […]

Shylie P

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Basic Makeup
I personally liked the range of things that were taught. We were not just taught OH&S and basic makeup techniques like most schools offer, but we went into the background, on set education, script breakdowns, realism techniques and a more advanced level of prosthetics that wasn’t offered at other schools. I also got to learn […]
AACM has changed my life. I have been able to start and launch a career I didn’t think was possible in special effects makeup due to the incredible support from the wonderful staff. I learnt skills that have been invaluable, transferable and they have prepared me for real industry application.The small class sizes made it […]
My first job came through AACM and led to other future work. Working as a personal assistant on 2 feature films has given me the best look at how a makeup/hair department runs. It is stressful and sometimes overwhelming, but very rewarding and the most exciting aspect of my career so far. AACM helped give […]
The Diploma of Screen and Media covers a lot of the skills in the makeup industry. As I always knew I wanted to be a makeup artist, I never knew what path I wanteds to take. I’ve learnt so much from AACM and have discovered a lot of my creativity/skills that I did not know […]

Course Recognition

As a Registered Training Organisation under ASQA (RTO 31527), our certificate and diploma level courses are nationally recognized qualifications, which are issued to students after successful completion of a course. The programs are structured in line with National Training Packages, for more information about us and our courses please visit training.gov.au. For more information about our regulatory body, please visit ASQA.

Some short courses offered from time to time may not be recognized courses. Please visit the relevant course pages on our webpage to find our more or contact us to clarify.

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