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Ready to start your exciting career in the makeup industry?
Overview of our Online Makeup Course

Costs
Diploma of Screen and Media in Specialist Makeup Services - Online - CUA51020
- $16,800

Start Dates

Campuses and More
Delivery Modes
Campuses

Duration
Full-Time
Study 1 module at a time. You should expect a minimum of 12 hours per week study commitment.
Part-Time:
Study 2 modules at a time. You should expect a minimum of 24 hours per week study commitment.

Entry Requirements
- Completed Year 10 (or equivalent)
- No ATAR required
- Minimum age requirement of 16

Additional Information
- This is a nationally recognised qualification CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media in Specialist Makeup Services
- Ask about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer options to reduce your study time and costs
- To participate in this makeup course online, you will require hair and makeup products and equipment. We will provide you with detailed kit and resource lists and supplier options to purchase the products and equipment you need
- You will need access to a computer, laptop or tablet and a good stable internet connection to access your course materials online and to participate in video calls
Ready to start your exciting career in the makeup industry?
Enrol NowDownload our comprehensive course brochure:
This is what our Makeup Diploma is all about
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
- Access to our online learning portal for all your digital learning resources
- Interactive, live class sessions and presentations
- Practical presentations with industry experts
- Interactive forums and discussion groups
- Ongoing online learning support from your trainers
- Professional supplier makeup discounts
- Work experience opportunities
- Access to our Alumni and industry network
- On successful completion you will receive a Statement of Attainment and your nationally recognised Qualification certificate
The Diploma of Screen and Media online makeup course offers a broad range of skills and techniques, which increases your employment opportunities in a diverse range of industries such as:
- Film and television makeup artist, hair stylist
- Editorial, fashion and photographic makeup artist
- Freelance hair and makeup artist
- Special Effects (SPFX) and Prosthetics artist
- Cosplay & Character artist
- Retail makeup artist
- Bridal and formal makeup artist
- Social Media Makeup artist
This comprehensive makeup diploma is taught by our highly skilled, industry respected and award winning trainers and will take your career to that next level.
Our trainers actually work in the fashion, editorial, film and television industry and have deep connections within the industry. This not only provides a unique learning opportunity but also keeps the course up to date including the latest industry trends and requirements.
A few movies our trainers have worked on:
- Australia
- Aquaman
- Thor: Ragnarok
- Wolverine X-men Origins
- Truth
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
- Fools Gold
- Superman Returns
- Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- 30 Days of Night
- Mary Poppins the Musical
- Peter Pan
- Nim’s Island
- Ghost Ship
- House of Wax
- Hunters TV Series
- The Inbetweeners
- Kong: Skull Island
- Aquamarine
You will receive a nationally recognised qualification CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) and Statement of Attainment. Your qualification carries real weight in the industry. AACM has built a strong reputation over decades for exceptional training, outstanding graduate outcomes, and a brand that employers know and trust. When you study with AACM, you’re stepping into a legacy of quality and industry respect.
As a Registered Training Organisation under ASQA (RTO 31527), our certificate and diploma level courses are nationally recognised 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.
Through our AACM Alumni Community we provide ongoing opportunities for work experience, employment, networking and lifelong learning. We continue to mentor and support graduates, opening up our industry network, contacts and opportunities. AACM Alumni receive special offers on AACM courses and continue to receive discounts and benefits from our industry partners.
The Alumni Community is providing our graduates a platform to discuss techniques, share their experience, enhance their network, connect with members, publish news and to share job opportunities where available. AACM is regularly contacted for work experience and paid opportunities and we advertise these exclusively to our Alumni Community.
For Queensland secondary students only:
The Diploma of Screen and Media in Specialist Makeup Services is structured to suit school based learners, offering a flexible and supportive learning environment. Participating in VET can provide credit points to the attainment of a Queensland Certificate of Education, and/or attainment of a nationally recognised VET qualification. It can also support young people’s transitions to employment, vocational and higher education pathways. Please contact us for more information on studying this Diploma while at school.
Benefits of participating in VET include:
- obtaining practical skills based experience.
- gaining familiarity on how workplaces operate.
- developing employability skills.
- developing and improving interpersonal skills.
- allowing students to explore the potential career path they would like to pursue
For more information please contact us directly or refer to the Queensland Government myQCE webpage.
This is what you will learn when you study online
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.
The online version of the course does not offer any stream selection and is designed to enable you to study full online. If you want to specialise for example in prosthetics makeup, you will be required to study at least one term at one of our campuses.
The course is structured into 8 Modules, clustering relevant Unit of Competencies together. Depending on your progress 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. One of our expert trainers will guide you through the modules and term and will be with you on your study journey.
- CUAPPR515 Establish and maintain safe creative practice
- CUAMUP411 Design, apply and remove make-up
- SHBHDES004 Create classic long hair up-styles
- CUAMUP413 Style hair for productions
- SHBBMUP010 Design and Apply makeup for photography
- BSBMKG546 Develop social media engagement plans
- CUAIND412 Provide Freelance services
- CUAMUP412 Maintain make-up and hair continuity
- CUAMUP414 Style wigs and hairpieces for productions
- CUAPPR411 Realise a creative project
- CUAIND512 Enhance professional practice to apply creative arts industry knowledge
- CUARES412 Conduct research
- CUAMUP512 Design and apply specialised make-up
- CUAMUP513 Design and apply special make-up effects
- CUADES511 Implement design solutions
What are you waiting for? Start your career now!
Enrol NowDownload our course brochure Here:
Your Payment Options
Please visit our VSL Info Page for more information.
- 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.
Commencing on or after 01/01/2026
- All Streams $14,800
Commencing on or after 01/01/2026
- All Streams $13,800
For more information visit:
Queensland Government Career Boost
Queensland Government eligibility check
What our students and graduates say about us
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.

FAQ
- There are no formal academic entry requirements, but a strong interest in makeup and some basic artistic skills are recommended.
- No ATAR needed, but you need to have completed Year 10 at school or equivalent.
- You need to be at least 16 years of age.
- If you don’t meet above entry requirements, you may be considered under special consideration.
- The Diploma of Screen and Media Online is $16,000. VET Student Loans (VSL) and payment plans are available to pay for your makeup diploma tuition fees.
- YES, the Diploma of Screen and Media in Specialist Makeup Services is VET Student Loans (VSL) enabled. Any gap fees can be paid on a payment plan.
- If you don’t want to use VET Student Loans, you can pay off your tuition fees on payment plans over the course duration. We are happy to negotiate a payment plan that suits your financial situation.
- YES, you will require hair and makeup products and equipment to be able to practice at home. We will provide you with a detailed kit lists with supplier options to purchase the products you need. Each supplier offers Afterpay or Zip Pay options also.
- Examples:
- Module 1 and 2: Hair and Makeup Kit from $1,350
- Module 4: Wigs Kit from $310
- Module 7 and 8: Special Effects Kit from $511
- Full-Time, 1 year over 4 Terms
- Part-Time, 2 years over 8 Terms
- Fast-Track option may be available
- The Makeup Diploma taught online and you will have access to learning materials via our online learning portal, Canvas LMS, and industry expert trainers who will host virtual classroom activities throughout each module. You will mainly learn at your own pace when it suits you, and we will give you some guide rails and time frames to ensure you stay on track.
- Any current desktop, tablet or mobile phone to access our learning platform. We highly recommend to have a desktop or laptop as your main device.
- Reliable internet connection, suitable to watch videos
- Models to practice on, for example friends or family members
- A safe and well-lit workstation, including a mirror to practice




