Personal Service and Travel Workers

How to become a Make-up Artist

Designs and applies make-up products and techniques to transform or enhance the features of individuals.

Main tasks

Designs make-up looks that align with clients' requests, events or themes
Prepares clients' skin by cleansing, moisturising and using appropriate primers
Chooses make-up shades that complement clients' skin tone, eye colour and outfits
Applies make-up products such as foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara and lipstick
May create special effects or creative designs using prosthetics, scars and other effects to transform an actor into a character
May perform basic hairstyling, such as arranging hair for a specific look, or building, styling and fitting wigs

Ways in

TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Make-Up (SHB30221); Certificate IV in Screen and Media (CUA41220); Advanced Diploma of Live Production and Management Services (CUA60220); Diploma of Screen and Media (CUA51020); Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy (SHB40121); Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50121)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Typical full-time pay: $95,888 a year
About 16,300 people work in this job group now, and about 17,600 are projected by 2035. (+8.3%)
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Make-up Artist?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Make-Up; Certificate IV in Screen and Media.

How much does a Make-up Artist earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $95,888 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Make-up Artist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 8% by 2035, from about 16,300 to about 17,600 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Make-up Artist?

Usually not. Only 16% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Make-Up; Certificate IV in Screen and Media.

Will AI change the work of a Make-up Artist?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04