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CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media Specialist Make-Up Services

National ID
CUA51020
WA Course Code
AC68
CRICOS code
107936G
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Person applying makeup onto another person in a studio
Person studying work at desk

Why choose this course?

Channel your creativity with a career in the makeup industry with this qualification. Learn the skills to become specialised makeup artists as well as hair and wig stylists for an exciting career working behind the scenes of films, television and theatre productions. This course gives you the opportunity to learn different techniques of makeup applications and special effects to create and transform performers into characters that suit movie scripts, television scripts, musicals or plays.

During your studies you will participate in many practical works inside and outside of the classroom allowing your creativity to shine through. Part of this course will include step by step techniques for special effects and prosthetics as well as exploring different eras, applying facial hair and wigs, bald capping and body painting.

The film and television industry is continuing to develop rapidly, resulting in a strong demand for creative makeup artists. This qualification will ensure you’re job ready to pursue your career as a creative makeup specialist.

Career opportunities

  • Creative Make-up Artist

  • An IELTS score (academic) of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.0 or equivalent.

  • Completion of the equivalent of Australian Year 10.

​Please view Admission requirements for your country of origin.

Your study options

Semester 1, 2025

Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2025
Where | North Metropolitan TAFE (52786)

Location map

How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $12,480
  • Resources fee: $2,570
  • Materials fee: $260

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course.

Year 10/11/12
CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media Specialist Make-Up Services - AC68
2 semesters

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 15 units. These 15 are comprised of 4 core units and 11 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CUAIND412 Provide freelance services
  • CUAIND512 Enhance professional practice using creative arts industry knowledge
  • CUAPPR411 Realise a creative project
  • CUAPPR505 Establish and maintain safe creative practice
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • BSBPMG430 Undertake project work
  • CUAMUP411 Design, apply and remove make-up
  • CUAMUP413 Style hair for productions
  • CUAMUP414 Style wigs and hairpieces for productions
  • CUAMUP512 Design and apply specialised make-up
  • CUAMUP513 Design and apply special make-up effects
  • CUAMUP614 Create prosthetics for special make-up effects
  • CUAPPR415 Develop and discuss ideas for own creative work
  • CUAPRP412 Use casting and moulding techniques to make props
  • CUARES412 Conduct research
  • SHBHDES004 Create classic long hair up-styles

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include observations of work place, simulated skills and questioning and presentation of skills & knowledge.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course. 

Learning resources may include access to Blackboard, videos (you tube etc) PowerPoint presentations, industry journals, hand-outs, computer access, internet access and open plan classrooms for undertaking project work, business equipment and resources.

Facilities and equipment may include access to a range of make-up products and equipment, access to productions where make-up services are required, relevant health and hygiene procedures and guidelines, hair products, styling aids and tools, productions requiring current and period styles and finishes, hair design reference materials, wigs, hairpieces, productions requiring wigs and hairpieces, productions requiring special make-up effects, make-up reference materials, prosthetic products, materials and equipment, productions requiring prosthetics for special make-up effects, relevant legislation, regulations, standards and codes, relevant workplace documentation and resources, case studies and where possible, real situations and interaction with others.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

Semester 1, 2026

Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2026
Where | North Metropolitan TAFE (52786)

Location map

How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $12,480
  • Resources fee: $2,570
  • Materials fee: $260

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course.

Year 10/11/12
CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media Specialist Make-Up Services - AC68
2 semesters

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 15 units. These 15 are comprised of 4 core units and 11 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CUAIND412 Provide freelance services
  • CUAIND512 Enhance professional practice using creative arts industry knowledge
  • CUAPPR411 Realise a creative project
  • CUAPPR505 Establish and maintain safe creative practice
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • BSBPMG430 Undertake project work
  • CUAMUP411 Design, apply and remove make-up
  • CUAMUP413 Style hair for productions
  • CUAMUP414 Style wigs and hairpieces for productions
  • CUAMUP512 Design and apply specialised make-up
  • CUAMUP513 Design and apply special make-up effects
  • CUAMUP614 Create prosthetics for special make-up effects
  • CUAPPR415 Develop and discuss ideas for own creative work
  • CUAPRP412 Use casting and moulding techniques to make props
  • CUARES412 Conduct research
  • SHBHDES004 Create classic long hair up-styles

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include observations of work place, simulated skills and questioning and presentation of skills & knowledge.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course. 

Learning resources may include access to Blackboard, videos (you tube etc) PowerPoint presentations, industry journals, hand-outs, computer access, internet access and open plan classrooms for undertaking project work, business equipment and resources.

Facilities and equipment may include access to a range of make-up products and equipment, access to productions where make-up services are required, relevant health and hygiene procedures and guidelines, hair products, styling aids and tools, productions requiring current and period styles and finishes, hair design reference materials, wigs, hairpieces, productions requiring wigs and hairpieces, productions requiring special make-up effects, make-up reference materials, prosthetic products, materials and equipment, productions requiring prosthetics for special make-up effects, relevant legislation, regulations, standards and codes, relevant workplace documentation and resources, case studies and where possible, real situations and interaction with others.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

There may be further semester intakes available for enrolment. You can view any further intakes when you submit your online application(opens in a new tab).

For information about pathways from TAFE to university, view our Pathways to university page.

How to apply

Apply to study at TAFE in six steps:

  1. find a course;
  2. check entry requirements;
  3. submit an application;
  4. accept your offer and pay;
  5. apply for your student visa; and
  6. receive your visa and come to Australia for your studies.

View our TAFE application process page for detailed advice

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TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) is the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) provider, for the delivery of training to international students, enrolled in a TAFE course in Western Australia. This nationally recognised course is delivered by a Western Australian TAFE college on TIWA's behalf. TIWA retains responsibility for the quality of the training and assessment delivered by the TAFE colleges and for the issue of certification documentation to students.

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Last updated on December 1, 2022