South Coast Academy
South Coast Academy (SCA) is a highly respected Hair, Beauty and Make-up Training Academy with a reputation for presenting the finest graduates to employers within the industry.
SCA offers AQF approved courses from a Diploma of Beauty Therapy, to Certificate III in Hairdressing, to short courses and statements of attainment in specialised areas within the Hair, Beauty and Make-up Industries.
Located in Shellharbour (20 minutes south of Wollongong), SCA’s commitment to provide the most innovative and state of the art training environment ensures their students receive the best possible industry training experience.
Our Director and Educators pride themselves on their students gaining knowledge, highly specialised skills, the best possible qualifications and the practical experience that will make them ready to enter the industry with the professionalism and confidence to excel in their chosen career. Going beyond industry skills, all students at SCA are respected and educated about business and customer service, and how to promote their personal brand in the real world.
SCA is able to boast that the vast majority of our students receive work placement prior to graduating. This is the result of the outstanding reputation SCA has within the industry.
Founder and Director Tina McGirr, along with all SCA’s Educators are proud to deliver a hands on approach offering advanced education, latest industry research, techniques and technology while sharing the journey with each and every student.
The Hair, Beauty and Make-up industries hold a very dynamic future. It is our goal to continue to push the industry to new heights and exceed expectations by continuing to educate, inspire and empower the future in the the quality and nurturing environment that is SCA.
Small RTO of the Year 2026
South Coast Academy is incredibly proud to announce that on Tuesday 25th August 2026, we were awarded the NSW Small Training Provider of the Year at the NSW Training Awards!
This incredible achievement is a wonderful recognition of the passion, commitment and dedication that goes into everything we do at South Coast Academy. For more than 20 years, SCA has proudly delivered quality vocational education and training to students across the Illawarra and South Coast, helping students develop the skills, confidence and knowledge they need to build successful careers in the Hair, Beauty, Barbering and Make-up industries.
Being recognised as the NSW Small RTO of the Year is a significant milestone for our Academy and a reflection of the hard work of our dedicated trainers, support staff and wider team. Most importantly, it recognises the amazing students who choose SCA to begin or further their careers and inspire us every day to continue providing industry-focused, supportive and practical training.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to our incredible team, our students, industry partners, families and the local community for their continued support. After more than two decades of training and supporting students in the region, we are incredibly proud to celebrate this achievement and look forward to continuing to make a positive difference in vocational education across the Illawarra and beyond.
Comments & Reviews
I chose to study my Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy at SCA as they have the correct learning facility’s, a welcoming space and amazing teachers. I studied throughout my beauty apprenticeship and worked in the industry to receive the best outcome possible. I have developed many skills and thanks to SCA I have been able to specialise in specific areas of the field. Thank you South Coast Academy for all of your support throughout my course.
I graduated my Certificate III in Barbering at SCA. I chose SCA because of their great reputation. I’m looking to achieve all relevant skills gained from my course to become a great barber and deliver great customer service to clients. My goal is to gain employment in an awesome barber shop and my long term goal is to one day open my own barber shop. What I enjoy most in my course is the practical hands on stuff. I like all aspects of study but if I had to pick I really enjoy my barbering class on a Monday and I really like the hair colouring unit as well.
After previously studying at South Coast Academy 10 years ago, it was time that I wanted to branch out into a different side of the industry. I had learnt from some amazing Beauty Therapist last time I studied with SCA so I was sure their Make-up Educators would be just as knowledgeable and encouraging. I had an eye-opening experience while studying at South Coast Academy. I never knew I could have so much determination in myself to create the pieces that I did. I loved the whole learning experience, the further on in the course that we got the more creative course became.
Contact the Academy
For more information on a course contact the Academy today to commence the enrolment process.
