CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services)
Applications close 28 February 2023
For applicants who have previously applied at NIDA since 2019, please click below
For applicants who have never applied at NIDA, or applied before 2019, please click below.
If you require assistance, please contact applications@nida.edu.au.
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NIDA encourages applications from students from diverse backgrounds, with different levels of experience in theatre, film, television or other areas.
NIDA welcomes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.
About the course
NIDA’s CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) provides practical and intensive training to prepare students for industry facing roles in make-up design and application, hair styling, prepare wigs and designing make-up special effects and prosthetics.
Make-up training is industry-driven with content delivered by practising professionals and guest tutors. The course is supported by organisations such as Foundation Theatres, Pinchgut Opera and includes site visits to the Opera Centre, Opera House and the Capitol Theatre.
Students have opportunities throughout their training to practise their skills through roles on live performance and film projects. Students have a chance to collaborate with students from NIDA’s other creative disciplines in an environment which mirrors hair and make-up departments in the live performance industries.
The specialist make-up course includes placement on NIDA’s production seasons which are at the heart of NIDA’s calendar year. This provides the opportunity to work with NIDA tutors and industry guests, and to collaborate with Acting, Design for Performance, Directing and Musical Theatre students.
Assessments take place throughout the course, allowing students to build on the skills developed. Classes are practical, providing and active learning environment and a hands-on approach to learning.
The course culminates in a presentation of a live showcase of make-up work in one of the NIDA theatres. This event is attended by entertainment industry practitioners, producers and agents.
This qualification is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training.
Read more information about the AQF.
Course dates and times
2023 Course dates
In 2023 the course will be delivered at our Sydney campus.
Term 1 Monday 24th April – Friday 30th June
Term 2 Monday 17th July – Friday 29th September
Term 3 Monday 9th October – Friday 15th December
4 days per week, 9am–5pm.
The scheduling and delivery of this course each year is subject to minimum enrolment numbers.
2022 Course dates
In 2022 the course will be delivered at our Sydney campus. Enrolled students will received the qualification CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) Duration of the course is 25 April 2022 – 16 December 2022.
Term 1 Monday 25th April – Friday 1st July
Term 2 Monday 18th July – Friday 30th September
Term 3 Monday 10th October – Friday 16th December
4 days per week, 9am–5pm.
The scheduling and delivery of this course each year is subject to minimum enrolment numbers.
Course overview
Subjects
The course Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) comprises the following 15 units of competency:
- CUAIND412 Provide freelance services
- CUAIND512 Enhance professional practice using creative arts industry knowledge
- CUAPPR411 Realise a creative project
- CUAPPR515 Establish and maintain safe creative practice
- CUAMUP411 Design, apply and remove make-up
- CUAMUP412 Maintain make-up and hair continuity
- 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
- CUASFX411 Create special effects items
- SHBHDES004 Create classic long hair up-styles
- SHBHDES005 Select and apply hair extensions
- BSBCRT512 Originate and develop concepts
- BSBCRT413 Collaborate in a creative process
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
This vocational course provides students with knowledge and skills to perform the following functions associated with the entertainment arts:
- Gain skills and knowledge to design and apply make-up, create wigs and style hair and hair pieces
- Learn specialist skills relating to prosthetics and special effects make-up
- Develop the ability to work as a part of a team or independently in make-up services
- Develop autonomy in responding to make-up and hair design briefs
- Develop problem solving skills for a range of collaborative situations
- Develop skills to work collaboratively with other creative professionals and performers
Admission criteria
Essential requirements for admission
Admission criteria
Applicants seeking admission must:
- Must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen. This course does not accept international students.
- Have reached the age of 18 before the commencement of the course (in some circumstances NIDA may select candidates who turn 18 during their course).
- Have completed their Higher School Certificate or equivalent; ATAR is not required
- Demonstrate a high level of practical ability, potential and motivation at the interview or audition
- Complete the interview/audition requirements for the course
Terms and conditions of application
- There are no application fees for the 2023 applicants.
- Applications for NIDA's diploma level courses (that commence in 2023) close on 31st October. NIDA may not be able to accept applications after this date or late applicants may be required to pay a late submission fee of $75.00.
- There are a limited number of places available in each of our diploma courses. Selection is based on merit; not all applicants who meet the published entry requirements will receive a study offer.
- All applicants are required to review the course information, including the schedule of tuition fees, published on the course page on our website.
- It is not possible to provide applicants with individual written or oral feedback on their audition.
- Applicants who receive a study offer for 2022 must accept the offer within the time frame indicated. It is not possible to defer a study offer at NIDA.
- NIDA encourages applications from people from diverse backgrounds, with different levels of experience in their chosen area of interest.
Essential requirements
We select applicants who:
- Demonstrate potential to create and/or apply make-up and hair designs
- Exhibit a capacity to collaborate
- Communicate effectively
- Respond to direction and feedback
How to apply
NIDA encourages applications from students from diverse backgrounds, with different levels of experience in the entertainment industry.
A summary of the application process for this course can be found in the
How to apply
All applications must be submitted online via the NIDA website. You will be required to submit a video audition via a YouTube link as part of your application.
NIDA encourages applications from students from diverse backgrounds, with different levels of experience in the entertainment industry.
There are five steps to applying:
STEP 1
New Applicants: Create your application account here. You will be sent an automatic email with your log in details to continue your application.
Returning Applicants: If you have previously applied (in 2019-2020) and your email address already exists in the application system you will not be able to create a new account. Please follow the link below to reset your password, use your email address as your User Login ID. Reset your password here.
STEP 2
Log in, select the green ‘New Application’ button and complete the online form.
You will be asked to submit your personal details, examples of previous experience, and reasons for interest in this course.
STEP 3
Upload the following documentation to the online form:
- Evidence of your most recent qualification if you have one (e.g. a school report, Higher School Certificate, university transcript, statement of attainment)
- Proof of identification and citizenship (e.g. Australian passport, Australian driver’s licence, birth certificate. The scanned document needs to show your date of birth).
- A recent photograph (head and shoulders, in colour, well lit, plain background).
- One introduction/ Audition video as a link to an unlisted YouTube video.
STEP 4
Agree to the Terms and Conditions of application and click submit. You will receive a confirmation email when your submission is completed in full.
STEP 5
You will be contacted in October regarding the outcome of your application and whether we are able to meet with you at a call-back session. You will be provided with an opportunity to notify us of the best available date and time for your interview/ call back, either face to face or via zoom. To assist with your planning, we will publish suggested dates and times on the course pages on our website.
If we have invited you, please attend your call-back session. Not everyone who submits a video will be invited to a call back.
Terms and conditions of application
- There are no application fees for the 2023 applicants.
- Applications for NIDA's diploma level courses (that commence in 2023) close on 30 September 2022. NIDA may not be able to accept applications after this date or late applicants may be required to pay a late submission fee of $75.00.
- There are a limited number of places available in each of our diploma courses. Selection is based on merit; not all applicants who meet the published entry requirements will receive a study offer.
- All applicants are required to review the course information, including the schedule of tuition fees, published on the course page on our website.
- It is not possible to provide applicants with individual written or oral feedback on their audition.
- Applicants who receive a study offer for 2023 must accept the offer within the time frame indicated. It is not possible to defer a study offer at NIDA.
- NIDA encourages applications from people from diverse backgrounds, with different levels of experience in their chosen area of interest.
Interview requirements
As part of your application, you are required to provide a link to a pre-recorded video interview. The following information should act as guide for how to set up and film your introductions.
Filming your Interview
Your video submission needs to be a short, 1 minute introduction to camera (introduce yourself and explain your experience).
Your video interview should be submitted as an unlisted YouTube video link, in the appropriate field of your application. You will only be able to upload one audition video.
Click HERE for instructions on how to upload an unlisted YouTube video.
Tips for your video submission
Filming your Interview
Your video submission needs to be a short, 1 minute introduction to camera (introduce yourself and explain your experience).
Your video interview should be submitted as an unlisted YouTube video link, in the appropriate field of your application. You will only be able to upload one audition video.
Click HERE for instructions on how to upload an unlisted YouTube video.
Please make sure you review the guidance below and prepare what is required for your interview/ audition submission before you start to record anything.
1. Set up
You can use a stand or surface or have someone hold the camera/ phone for you. Do not look directly into the camera for your monologues, but just to one side; to the left or right or alternatively ask a friend to stand to one side of the camera so that you have an eyeline and someone to deliver the monologues to.
2. Background – you must be seen clearly.
Try to record against a plain, light background, with no harsh shadows behind you. Avoid busy, distracting images, and ‘hard’ colours like green and red. Ideally, the background should be plain. Grey can work well for a wide range of skin tones on screen.
3. Lighting – you must be seen clearly.
Try to light yourself so that there are minimal shadows across your face. This can be done with free standing lights or using natural light sources. Whatever you chose make sure that we can see you.
4. Sound – you must be heard clearly. Check the space/room you have chosen to record in for sound disturbances. i.e. close any windows, turn off any devices playing music in the background, air-conditioning, noise/talking/cooking sounds etc.
Call back interview dates
Interview dates for the 2023 intake will be announced after applications open.
Call back Interviews
Call back interview process
- All applicants will be notified regarding their outcome of their application status.
- Successful applicants will be contacted to arrange a suitable call back session.
- Call back dates to be advised via the course page on the NIDA website.
- Call backs may be conducted face to face or via zoom in November.
- More information will be available on the website when applications close.
At the callbacks/interview, you will:
- Discuss any previous experience or training
- Discuss your portfolio
- Undertake a written short-answer questionnaire
- Undertake a make-up task, using make-up and tools provided
Outcome
If we are able to offer you a place on the course, we will contact you in December 2022 via phone and email to advise you of your course offer. You will be given a time period in which to accept or reject the course offer for the 2023 intake.
Tips for the day
Remember:
- Bring a written testimonial from a teacher, colleague or employer.
- Bring along any documentation such as portfolios, photos and/or drawings to support your application.
Fees
Tuition Fees
The CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) is only open to domestic students.
Domestic students are Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens.
Tuition Fees for CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services)
2023 Full course fee: $17,700
DSMS Application Guide, Fee Schedule & Entry Requirement 2023
Tuition Fees for CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services)
2022 Full course fee: $16,920
Schedule of VET tuition fees 2022
Other costs
NIDA will provide the greater part of resources and consumables required for the training. Students need to contribute $1,490 towards make-up, special FX and hair kits, which become the students’ personal property.
Further financial information
VET Student Loans
NIDA is an approved VET Student Loans provider.
For more information on VET Student Loans and eligibility criteria please refer to our VET Student Loans page.
Enrolled vocational students can defer part of their fees using VET Student Loans (Australian citizens and permanent residents only). A 20% loan fee applies to VET Student Loans. The amount of the VET Student Loans provided for a part of a course or unit, plus the VET Student Loan fee of 20% is referred to as the VETSL Debt. More information regarding VET Students Loans can be found here;
VETSL Debt repayments are generally made after the student commences full time employment, repayment amounts are taken out of their pay by the Australian tax system. Students can make voluntary repayments at any time to reduce their balance; payments are made directly to the Australian Tax Office.
More information about paying back your VETSL Debt can be found here;
https://www.studyassist.gov.au/
https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Study-and-training-support-loans/Voluntary-repayments/
Financial assistance
Eligible students, who are Australian residents, can apply to Centrelink for financial assistance through Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY. Visit Centrelink or call 132 490 for more information.
NIDA is registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) under the National Vocational Education and Regulator Act 2011 to deliver Vocational Education and Training (VET) services. NIDA is a NVR Registered Training Organisation (RTO): ID number 90349.
Videos
2021 Online Info Sessions
Make-up tutor, Sandra Wograndl, and current students of this one-year course give you a glimpse into the experience of learning to design and apply make-up, style hair, create wigs and design and make special effects and prosthetics, and answer questions about the Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services).
29 July 2021
2019 Showcase
The diploma culminates in an end-of-year showcase of the students' work - here are some of the highlights from the 2019 showcase.
Prosthetic work 2019
Careers
As a graduate of the NIDA CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) you have the skills and knowledge to be employed in a range of industries, including theatre, dance, opera, concerts, events, television and film.
Potential careers
- Make-up artist
- Hair stylist
- Wig maker
- Special effects make-up designer
- Special effects make-up artist
See NIDA's list of Alumni.
Further info
If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact:
Email: vocational@nida.edu.au
Phone: +61 (02) 9697 7516
Mail:
Vocational applications
NIDA
215 Anzac Parade
Kensington NSW 2033
Further information regarding NIDA's vocational training products can be found at Training.gov.au
RPL/ Credit Transfer
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) / Credit Transfer
Recognition of Prior Learning is an assessment process that involves assessment of an individual’s relevant prior learning (including formal, informal and non-formal learning) to determine the credit outcomes of an individual application for credit.
NIDA may grant credit for:
- Formal study undertaken in recognised education institutions in Australia, including universities, colleges, TAFE and other post-secondary education institutions and for study at recognised overseas institutions.
- Credentialed courses provided by recognised professional bodies, employers and other authorities, where appropriate certification is available; and
- Prior learning, where such learning can be sufficiently evidenced.
The principles underlying the assessment of credit transfer/Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applications are that the policy and procedures are:
- Aligned to the Higher Education Standards Framework and the Vocational Standards for RTOs.
- Designed to maintain the integrity and reputation of NIDA’s accredited courses for which credit or RPL is applied and support the collaborative nature of NIDA’s conservatoire training model.
- Consistent, equitable, transparent, and accountable.
- Based on processes of comparable standard and integrity to those used to assess the relevant subject.
- That students are not disadvantaged in achieving the expected learning outcomes for the course of study or qualification.
Read more about NIDA's Deputy Director – Learning and Innovation (Vocational Education and Training) Mark Gaal
NIDA is registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) to deliver Vocational Education and Training (VET) services. RTO (Registered Training Organisation) code: 90349
