Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:02 AM AWST
22/07/2026 5:02 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Provide spa therapies
Provide spa therapies
Unit of competency
National Code
SIBBSPA503A
SIBBSPA503A
State Code
D4794
D4794
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
03/05/2011
Field of Education
110301 - Beauty Therapy
Original Release Date
03/05/2011
Nominal Hours
54
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide wet room and dry room spa therapies.In a spa environment, the beauty therapist may or may not have had contact with the client in the initial development of the spa program plan. The plan may relate to a single visit or may include a series of treatments over time. The therapist reviews and updates the initial treatment plan with the client as part of each treatment service.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Manage spa therapies.
- 1.1 Consult with client in a polite and friendly manner to review client’s spa programplan.
- 1.2 Identify and record any variations to spa program plan.
- 1.3 Confirm updated plan with client.
- 1.4 Obtain written consent from client.
- 1.5 Direct client preparation for treatment, ensuring client’s modesty and privacy at all times.
- 1.6 Use energy, water and other resources efficiently during spa treatments to reduce negative environmental impacts.
- 1.7 Ensure that service culture and ambience of the spa environment are maintained at each stage of the program according to workplace standards.
2 Provide wet room therapies.
- 2.1 Follow workplace safety procedures for designated wet areas and wear recommended personal protective clothing for nominated services according to workplace practice.
- 2.2 Select hydrotherapy equipment according to the spa program plan and set at correct temperature, following workplace procedures and manufacturer instructions.
- 2.3 Check that client’s understanding of the hydrotherapy process is clear.
- 2.4 Use agreed treatment products nominated in the spa program plan.
- 2.5 Check client’s comfort and wellbeing at regular intervals during the treatment, according to workplace procedures.
- 2.6 Recognise adverse reactions that occur during the treatment and take necessaryaction.
- 2.7 Ensure treatment is carried out according to workplace treatment time frames.
- 2.8 Assist client to safely vacate the hydrotherapy equipment at end of treatment, following workplace procedures and manufacturer instructions.
- 2.9 Confirm client satisfaction with the treatment and ensure client spa program plan is up-to-date, easy to read and complete.
3 Provide dry room therapies.
- 3.1 Provide dry room treatments from the workplace range according to workplace procedures and manufacturer instructions.
- 3.2 Use agreed body wrapping materials and treatment products according to spa program plan.
- 3.3 Check that client’s understanding of the treatment process is clear.
- 3.4 Prepare, apply and remove body wrapping materials and treatment products in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
- 3.5 Minimise waste and avoid soiling the surrounding area when using and applying body wrapping materials and treatment products.
- 3.6 Check client’s comfort and wellbeing at regular intervals during the treatment, according to workplace procedures.
- 3.7 Recognise adverse reactions that occur during the treatment and take necessary action.
- 3.8 Ensure treatment is carried out according to workplace treatment time frames.
- 3.9 Confirm client satisfaction with the treatment and ensure client’s spa program plan is up-to-date, easy to read and complete.
4 Follow post-treatment procedures.
- 4.1 Monitor the client in a relaxing environment according to workplace procedures.
- 4.2 Identify adverse effects and respond as required.
- 4.3 Apply post-treatment products as required.
- 4.4 Provide post-treatment care according to spa program plan, client needs and workplace procedures.
5 Advise on further treatments.
- 5.1 Evaluate the outcomes of the spa program and make recommendations for further treatments.
- 5.2 Advise client of suitable home-care products and appropriate lifestyle changes.
- 5.3 Explain and demonstrate product use as required.
- 5.4 Rebook client according to agreed spa program plan.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Consultation may include:
questioning
visual examination
review of client records.
Clients may include:
new or regular clients with routine or special needs
female or male clients
people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities.
Spa program plan may include:
single or multiple treatments
sequencing of treatments
duration of treatments
products
equipment
contraindications
special needs
post-treatment care.
Variations may include:
changes in client's physical condition
changes in client's requirements.
Client preparation may include:
disrobing
showering.
Ambience of the spa environment may include:
lighting and colours
relaxation background music or sounds
quiet areas and general noise management
perfumed oils or candles
decaffeinated and herbal refreshments
cool drinks
snack service.
Designated wet areas may include:
individual wet treatment rooms
shared wet areas.
Hydrotherapy equipment must include:
steam
hydro tub
vichy shower or wet table or spa capsule
hot towel cabinet.
Hydrotherapy equipment may include:
flotation
underwater massage
sauna
spa pool
mineral or sea water pools.
Treatment products may include:
milk products
salt
oils
aromatherapy oils.
Adverse reactions may include:
dizziness
nausea
skin irritation
headache.
Necessary action may include:
adjusting treatment
discontinuing treatment
encouraging client to seek medical advice
informing relevant members of staff
facilitating first aid.
Dry room treatments from the workplace range may include:
dry brushing or other methods of exfoliation
wraps
packs
massage
hot and cold rocks.
Body wrapping materials and treatment products may include:
material, such as:
fabric
plastic wrap
foil wrap
products, such as:
exfoliants
muds
clays
algae.
Adverse effects may include:
erythema or inflammatory reaction to treatments or products
skin blemishes due to massage stimulation
allergic reactions of the skin or body to treatments or products
reaction to changes in body temperature.
Post-treatment products may include:
facial moisturisers
body lotions.
Post-treatment care may include:
hydration
thermoregulation.
Outcomes may include:
appearance of treatment area or areas
client's expressed sense of wellbeing
relaxation.
Further treatments may include:
facial treatments
body treatments
spa treatments.
Home-care products may include:
skin care
body care
pre-blended aromatic oils
nutritional supplements.
Lifestyle changes may include:
improved diet
sun protection
reduced alcohol or tobacco consumption
exercise
meditation.
Consultation may include:
questioning
visual examination
review of client records.
Clients may include:
new or regular clients with routine or special needs
female or male clients
people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities.
Spa program plan may include:
single or multiple treatments
sequencing of treatments
duration of treatments
products
equipment
contraindications
special needs
post-treatment care.
Variations may include:
changes in client's physical condition
changes in client's requirements.
Client preparation may include:
disrobing
showering.
Ambience of the spa environment may include:
lighting and colours
relaxation background music or sounds
quiet areas and general noise management
perfumed oils or candles
decaffeinated and herbal refreshments
cool drinks
snack service.
Designated wet areas may include:
individual wet treatment rooms
shared wet areas.
Hydrotherapy equipment must include:
steam
hydro tub
vichy shower or wet table or spa capsule
hot towel cabinet.
Hydrotherapy equipment may include:
flotation
underwater massage
sauna
spa pool
mineral or sea water pools.
Treatment products may include:
milk products
salt
oils
aromatherapy oils.
Adverse reactions may include:
dizziness
nausea
skin irritation
headache.
Necessary action may include:
adjusting treatment
discontinuing treatment
encouraging client to seek medical advice
informing relevant members of staff
facilitating first aid.
Dry room treatments from the workplace range may include:
dry brushing or other methods of exfoliation
wraps
packs
massage
hot and cold rocks.
Body wrapping materials and treatment products may include:
material, such as:
fabric
plastic wrap
foil wrap
products, such as:
exfoliants
muds
clays
algae.
Adverse effects may include:
erythema or inflammatory reaction to treatments or products
skin blemishes due to massage stimulation
allergic reactions of the skin or body to treatments or products
reaction to changes in body temperature.
Post-treatment products may include:
facial moisturisers
body lotions.
Post-treatment care may include:
hydration
thermoregulation.
Outcomes may include:
appearance of treatment area or areas
client's expressed sense of wellbeing
relaxation.
Further treatments may include:
facial treatments
body treatments
spa treatments.
Home-care products may include:
skin care
body care
pre-blended aromatic oils
nutritional supplements.
Lifestyle changes may include:
improved diet
sun protection
reduced alcohol or tobacco consumption
exercise
meditation.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
interacting with clients in a polite and friendly manner
maintaining the ambience of the spa environment throughout the service
performing the required wet room therapies according to the range statement and within workplace service time frames
applying dry room treatments and products from the workplace range according to manufacturer instructions and within workplace service time frames
recognising and managing contraindications and adverse effects
recommending home-care products and future treatments to clients.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
that competency is consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the Assessment Guidelines
that competency is demonstrated the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of real work situations which may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace.
Assessment must ensure access to:
a spa services environment, which includes as a minimum:
shower and change facilities
wet treatment rooms
steam equipment
hydro tub
vichy shower or wet table or spa capsule (one unit)
dry treatment rooms
adjustable massage couches with safe working access for operator and equipment at head, foot and each side
electricity supply access to each spa treatment workstation
hot towel cabinet
appropriate detergent, disinfectant and cleaning materials for cleaning and sanitising stones and work area
relevant workplace documentation including:
manufacturer's equipment instructions
product instructions
manufacturer safety data sheets
workplace policies and procedures manuals
a range of clients seeking and experiencing spa treatments, including wet room and dry room therapies, requiring the use of products, treatments and equipment from a professional spa range.
For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.
Methods of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the learner providing spa therapies over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies, including:
confirming treatments and updating a spa program
performing the required wet room treatments according to the range statement and within workplace service time frames
applying dry room treatments and products from the workplace range
written and oral questioning appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner, to assess knowledge and understanding of the required skills and knowledge of this unit
completion of self-paced learning materials, including personal reflection and feedback from a trainer or supervisor
third-party reports from technical experts.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SIBBBOS401A Perform body massage
SIBBSPA501A Work in a spa therapies framework
SIBBSPA502A Plan spa programs.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
interacting with clients in a polite and friendly manner
maintaining the ambience of the spa environment throughout the service
performing the required wet room therapies according to the range statement and within workplace service time frames
applying dry room treatments and products from the workplace range according to manufacturer instructions and within workplace service time frames
recognising and managing contraindications and adverse effects
recommending home-care products and future treatments to clients.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
that competency is consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the Assessment Guidelines
that competency is demonstrated the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of real work situations which may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace.
Assessment must ensure access to:
a spa services environment, which includes as a minimum:
shower and change facilities
wet treatment rooms
steam equipment
hydro tub
vichy shower or wet table or spa capsule (one unit)
dry treatment rooms
adjustable massage couches with safe working access for operator and equipment at head, foot and each side
electricity supply access to each spa treatment workstation
hot towel cabinet
appropriate detergent, disinfectant and cleaning materials for cleaning and sanitising stones and work area
relevant workplace documentation including:
manufacturer's equipment instructions
product instructions
manufacturer safety data sheets
workplace policies and procedures manuals
a range of clients seeking and experiencing spa treatments, including wet room and dry room therapies, requiring the use of products, treatments and equipment from a professional spa range.
For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.
Methods of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the learner providing spa therapies over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies, including:
confirming treatments and updating a spa program
performing the required wet room treatments according to the range statement and within workplace service time frames
applying dry room treatments and products from the workplace range
written and oral questioning appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner, to assess knowledge and understanding of the required skills and knowledge of this unit
completion of self-paced learning materials, including personal reflection and feedback from a trainer or supervisor
third-party reports from technical experts.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SIBBBOS401A Perform body massage
SIBBSPA501A Work in a spa therapies framework
SIBBSPA502A Plan spa programs.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVG61 | SHBBSPA002 | Provide spa therapies | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S781 | SIB50110 | Diploma of Beauty Therapy | Qualification |