How Much Does a Permanent Makeup Course Cost in Australia?
Permanent makeup courses in Australia cost between about $1,500 for a single technique and $10,000 for a comprehensive course covering brows, lips and eyeliner. On top of training you should budget $1,500–$4,000 for a machine and starter kit, plus insurance and council registration before you can work on paying clients.
Here is the full 2026 cost breakdown for permanent makeup (also called cosmetic tattooing or PMU) training in Australia — what changes the price, the legal costs people forget, and how quickly it pays back.
Train in all four PMU techniques
ACBNT’s Cosmetic Tattoo Full Course is 10 days covering microblading, ombre brows, lip blush and eyeliner — with live model work and infection prevention for skin penetration included (valued at $1,000). Cabramatta, Sydney.
Permanent makeup course cost: at a glance
| Training | Typical cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Single technique (e.g. eyeliner) | $1,500–$2,500 | One skill, shortest format |
| Microblading | $3,000–$4,500 | The most common entry point |
| Ombre / powder brows | $3,000–$4,000 | Machine-based brow shading |
| Lip blush | $3,500–$4,500 | Lip colour and correction work |
| Full PMU course (all techniques) | $8,000–$10,000 | Brows, lips and eyeliner together |
Buying techniques one at a time almost always costs more in total than a combined course — but it spreads the outlay, which suits artists adding services gradually.
Why do PMU courses cost more than other beauty training?
- It is a skin penetration procedure. Pigment is implanted into the skin, results last for years, and mistakes are slow and expensive to correct. Training has to cover skin anatomy, needle depth, colour theory and healing — not just technique.
- Live model work is essential. Latex practice teaches the motion; only real skin teaches stretch, pressure and how pigment heals in different skin types. Courses with supervised model procedures cost more to run.
- Small class sizes. Supervising needlework on live clients cannot be done at scale.
- Colour theory and Fitzpatrick skin typing. Choosing pigment that heals true on each skin tone is the difference between a professional result and a correction job.
The costs beyond the course fee
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PMU machine | $500–$2,000 | Quality matters — this is your core tool |
| Pigments, needles, consumables | $500–$1,500 | Ongoing cost per client |
| Infection control training | $300–$1,000 | Sometimes bundled into the course |
| Council skin penetration notification (NSW) | $0–$300 | Legally required — see below |
| Professional indemnity insurance | $500–$1,200/year | Higher than general beauty due to risk |
| Premises set-up to standard | Varies | Must meet skin penetration hygiene requirements |
The legal step most people miss
In NSW, cosmetic tattooing is classed as a skin penetration procedure. That means you must notify your local council before operating, and your premises and practices must meet skin penetration and infection control requirements under the NSW Health skin penetration rules.
This is not optional paperwork — councils inspect, and working without notification puts both your clients and your business at risk. Any course worth its fee will cover infection prevention for skin penetration as part of the training, not as an afterthought.
Is there an accredited permanent makeup qualification?
The nationally recognised qualification in this field is the SHB50321 Diploma of Cosmetic Tattooing. Many working PMU artists instead train through specialist hands-on courses focused on technique and live model practice, then build their portfolio from there — which is the faster and more common route into the industry.
Whichever path you choose, the practical questions matter more than the paperwork: how many live models will you work on, is infection control included, and what support do you get after the course when your early results start healing?
How fast does it pay back?
This is why PMU attracts people despite the upfront cost. Individual procedures — ombre brows, lip blush or eyeliner — commonly sell for $300 to $700 each. Established artists often earn $100,000 or more a year, and studio owners can exceed that; see our cosmetic tattoo artist salary guide for the detail.
At $450 a procedure, a $3,900 microblading course is covered by roughly nine clients. The real constraint is not the course fee — it is how long it takes to build the confidence, portfolio and referrals that keep your calendar full.
What it costs at ACBNT (Sydney)
- Cosmetic Tattoo Full Course — $9,900. Ten days covering microblading, ombre brows, lip blush and eyeliner, with live model procedures and infection prevention for skin penetration included (valued at $1,000).
- Microblading — $3,900 · Lip Blush — $3,900 · Ombre Powder Brows — $3,700 · Eyeliner Tattoo — $1,500.
- Certificate issued on completion, plus ongoing support as you start working.
ACBNT is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 45331) at Building 5, 82-84 John Street, Cabramatta NSW 2166. Call 0431 932 227 or email info@acbnt.edu.au.
Comparing beauty pathways? See what it costs to become a beautician, a lash technician, or a beauty therapist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a permanent makeup course cost in Australia?
Expect $1,500–$2,500 for a single technique, around $3,000–$4,500 for microblading or lip blush, and $8,000–$10,000 for a full course covering brows, lips and eyeliner. Budget another $1,500–$4,000 for a machine, kit and insurance.
How much does a microblading course cost?
Most microblading courses in Australia cost $3,000–$4,500. At ACBNT in Sydney it is $3,900, including live model practice.
Do I need a licence to do cosmetic tattooing in Australia?
There is no single occupational licence, but cosmetic tattooing is a skin penetration procedure. In NSW you must notify your local council and meet skin penetration and infection control requirements before working on clients.
Is a permanent makeup course worth the cost?
Procedures commonly sell for $300–$700 each, so training costs are typically recovered within the first ten to fifteen clients. The longer investment is building the portfolio and referrals that keep your bookings consistent.