SHBBINF002 Maintain infection control standards
Course Overview
The SHBBINF002 Maintain Infection Control Standards course at Artisan Training Academy is a nationally recognised unit of competency for beauty therapists, cosmetic tattoo artists and salon practitioners who deliver skin penetration treatments. The course covers the legislation, hygiene practices, sterilisation procedures and clinic design principles required to meet Australian infection control standards, and is delivered 100% online with the practical demonstration assessed by video submission — or, if you prefer, the practical can be completed in person at our Gold Coast academy in Worongary.
This unit applies to beauticians and beauty therapists working in beauty therapy salons, cosmetic medical clinics and cosmetic tattoo studios. It satisfies state and territory skin penetration regulations for salon-based beauty services. For nationally recognised infection prevention training in a clinical cosmetic tattoo context, see HLTINF005 Maintain Infection Prevention for Skin Penetration Treatments.
Key Outcome
On successful completion, you’ll receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for SHBBINF002 Maintain Infection Control Standards from Artisan Training Academy (RTO 46085) — a verifiable credential that demonstrates your salon or studio meets the legislated infection control requirements for skin penetration procedures.
Course Facts at a Glance
- Unit code: SHBBINF002 Maintain Infection Control Standards
- Accreditation: Nationally recognised unit of competency (RTO 46085) — not a full qualification
- Duration: Up to 3 months of online self-paced study
- Delivery: 100% online with practical demonstration assessed via video submission, or practical booked in person at our Worongary academy
- Skill level: Beginner & Intermediate
- Assessment: Unit Knowledge Test (written) + Practical Demonstration (video or in-person)
- Language: English
- Course fee: $300
- Certification: Nationally recognised Statement of Attainment on successful completion
Skills You’ll Learn
This salon infection control course is mapped to the five elements of the SHBBINF002 unit of competency. You’ll leave able to:
- Comply with infection control regulations and guidelines: identify the state, territory and local council standards that apply to beauty treatments and skin penetration procedures, review your organisation’s infection control policy for compliance, and identify and monitor cross-contamination risks in the workplace.
- Monitor hygiene of premises: observe and maintain cleaned and disinfected surfaces and equipment, clean and disinfect non-penetrating instruments, monitor disposal of contaminated material and sharps, manage blood and body fluid spills, check cleaning product dilution rates and storage, and provide clean linen or single-use disposable coverings for each client.
- Maintain infection control for skin penetration treatments: apply standard and additional precautions defined by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), provide single-use disposable instruments, ensure penetrating instruments are sterile at time of use, follow correct skin preparation procedures, and separate, remove, clean and sterilise contaminated items.
- Sterilise equipment and maintain the steriliser: manage workflow from dirty zone to clean zone, clean and dry items before sterilisation, load the autoclave and set sterilisation cycles to manufacturer instructions and AS/NZS 4815:2006, unload and validate sterilised packages, store sterile items to prevent contamination, monitor the sterilising process, and inspect and clean the steriliser and trays.
- Maintain awareness of clinic design for control of infection risks: identify how premises, surfaces, fixtures and fittings minimise transmission risk; arrange the cleaning area to separate dirty, clean and sterile zones with workflow moving dirty → clean → sterile; and clean the cleaning and sterilising area according to organisational policy.
This unit sits within our infection control courses alongside HLTINF005 Maintain Infection Prevention for Skin Penetration Treatments.
Curriculum
The course content is structured around the five elements of the SHBBINF002 unit of competency. Each chapter combines theory delivered through the online learner guide with the practical infection control skills you’ll demonstrate in your assessment.
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Chapter 1: Comply with Infection Control Regulations and Guidelines
- Identifying the state, territory and local council standards, regulations and guidelines that apply to beauty treatments and skin penetration procedures
- Australian standards and NHMRC infection control guidelines for beauty therapy and skin penetration
- Reviewing your organisational infection control policy and procedures for compliance
- Identifying infection control risks for skin penetration treatments — cosmetic tattooing, body and ear piercing, waxing, cuticle cutting, nail drilling and filing
- Monitoring the workplace for potential infection control risks
- Skin Penetration Procedure regulations and codes of practice across Australian states
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Chapter 2: Monitor Hygiene of Premises
- Observing the workplace to ensure surfaces and equipment are cleaned and disinfected
- Cleaning and disinfecting non-penetrating instruments and articles
- Monitoring the removal and disposal of contaminated material
- Handling and disposal of sharps; cleaning blood and body fluid spills
- Checking dilution rates, use and storage of cleaning products using Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- Monitoring storage of cleaning and treatment equipment
- Providing clean linen or single-use disposable coverings for each treatment
- Placing soiled linen and protective clothing in a suitable receptacle
- Cleaning and disinfecting the work area after each treatment
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Chapter 3: Maintain Infection Control for Skin Penetration Treatments
- Maintaining personal protection using NHMRC standard precautions and additional (transmission-based) precautions for client contact
- Standard PPE for beauty practice: gloves, eye protection, masks, aprons, closed-toe footwear
- Hand hygiene techniques and antiseptic application
- Providing single-use, disposable and clean instruments for each treatment
- Ensuring instruments, equipment and items intended to penetrate skin or mucous membranes are sterile at time of use
- Skin preparation procedures to minimise risk of transmission (70% isopropyl alcohol swabs, technique, expiry checks)
- Immediately disposing of single-use items and waste into appropriate containers
- Separating, removing, cleaning and sterilising contaminated items per infection control policy
- Methods of sterilisation: steam, dry heat, chemical, ethylene oxide gas, filtration, cold sterilisation
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Chapter 4: Sterilise Equipment and Maintain Steriliser
- Ensuring work flows from dirty zone to clean zone in the reprocessing area
- Cleaning and drying items thoroughly before sterilisation
- Loading the steriliser (autoclave) and setting the steriliser cycle to manufacturer instructions and AS/NZS 4815:2006 Office-based health care facilities — reprocessing of reusable medical and surgical instruments
- The three phases of the steam sterilisation cycle: conditioning, exposure, drying
- Unloading packages and inspecting them, with validation using chemical and biological indicators
- Recording and documenting sterilisation details: load contents, cycle settings, date, operator, validation results
- Storing sterile items correctly to prevent contamination
- Monitoring temperature, pressure and exposure time during the sterilising process
- Inspecting and cleaning the steriliser and steriliser trays to manufacturer guidelines and Australian standards
- Calculating steriliser loads, timing and chemical concentrations
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Chapter 5: Maintain Awareness of Clinic Design for Control of Infection Risks
- Identifying aspects of premises, surfaces, fixtures and fittings that minimise risk of transmission — smooth non-porous surfaces, ventilation, dedicated handwashing areas, sharps and biohazard waste containers
- Arranging the cleaning area so dirty, clean and sterile items are separated and workflow moves dirty → clean → sterile
- Cleaning the cleaning and sterilising area to organisational policy and procedures
- Identifying cracks, crevices, standing water or fittings that may harbour bacteria or fungi
- Sustainable cleaning practices and proper disposal of cleaning chemicals
How You’ll Be Assessed
To be deemed competent in SHBBINF002, you’ll complete two assessment tasks. Both are scored as Satisfactory or Not Satisfactory — there are no grades or numerical marks. If your first attempt is Not Satisfactory, you’re entitled to a resubmission.
Assessment Task 1
A written knowledge test covering the theory of infection control for beauty and skin penetration treatments — including state and territory legislation, NHMRC standard and additional precautions, cleaning and disinfection methods, sterilisation principles, steriliser operation and clinic design. The test is open book and untimed, completed independently. You may handwrite responses or type them.
Assessment Task 2
A practical demonstration where you integrate infection control with skin penetration technical skills on at least one occasion. You can submit this as a recorded video from your own salon or workplace, or book a time to complete it on site at our Worongary academy — whichever suits you.
The practical demonstration covers:
- Identifying cross-contamination risks and protecting yourself and the client from infection
- Choosing and using appropriate cleaning, disinfection and sterilising procedures for instruments, equipment, attachments and work surfaces
- Correct steriliser operation: packaging, loading, monitoring, validation and documentation
- Disposing of waste and sharps to Australian standards
- Providing a written review of workplace compliance with state, territory and local council laws relating to beauty treatments and skin penetration
Delivery, Location, Inclusions & Certification
Course Inclusions
- Comprehensive learner guide: structured around the five elements of the unit, with the specific terminology, regulations and procedures you’ll need for the Knowledge Test and the workplace.
- Self-study guide and class activities workbook: questions and activities that reinforce each performance criterion chapter by chapter.
- Assessment tasks and workplace documentation templates: all forms you need to complete the Knowledge Test and practical demonstration.
- Access to an autoclave and cleaning supplies for the practical assessment when you book in to complete it at our Worongary academy.
- Two assessment attempts: if your first attempt at either assessment task is Not Satisfactory, you’re entitled to a resubmission at no extra cost.
- Trainer support: direct access to Carlye and the Artisan team across your 3-month enrolment window.
Prerequisites
To enrol in SHBBINF002 Maintain Infection Control Standards you’ll need:
- Basic Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) in English
- A Unique Student Identifier (USI)
- Access to a functional PC or tablet device with uninterrupted internet access
- Recording equipment (a smartphone or tablet is suitable) if you’re submitting your practical demonstration by video
- A printer for assessment documentation
LLN & Digital Skills
Before enrolment, we’ll review your language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy to confirm the course is suitable. If you need support or reasonable adjustments, we’ll discuss options with you. See our Student Guide for details.
Certification
On successful completion of both assessment tasks, you’ll receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for SHBBINF002 Maintain Infection Control Standards, issued by Artisan Training Academy (RTO 46085). This is a single unit of competency from the SHB Hairdressing and Beauty Services Training Package — it’s not a full qualification, but it’s a verifiable national credential that demonstrates your salon meets the legislated infection control requirements for skin penetration procedures.
Third-party Delivery Statement
Artisan Training Academy RTO 46085 delivers all training and assessment directly. We do not use third-party providers to deliver training or conduct assessments for any qualification or unit on our scope. If this changes, we will notify enrolled students in writing and update this page.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) & Credit Transfer
RPL and Credit Transfer are available in line with our policy. Applicants must provide authenticated evidence of prior study and/or current competence. See our Student Guide and Credit Transfer & RPL policy for how to apply.
Training Location
The course is delivered 100% online through our learner portal and can be completed from anywhere in Australia within your 3-month enrolment window. The practical demonstration can be submitted as a recorded video from your own workplace, or you can book in to complete it in person at our Gold Coast training facility in 1/86 Quambone Street, Worongary QLD 4213. If you’re also looking to complete clinical infection prevention training for cosmetic tattooing, see HLTINF005.
Why Train with Us?
- Industry expertise: learn from a working RTO led by Carlye Pymble, with 20+ years in cosmetic tattooing and beauty therapy.
- Flexible delivery: 100% online theory at your own pace, with a practical that fits around your workplace — video submission or in-person at our Gold Coast academy.
- State-of-the-art facilities: if you choose in-person, you’ll train in a fully equipped academy with autoclave, cleaning supplies and the resources you need for the practical demonstration.
- Personalised support: direct trainer support across your enrolment window, tailored to how you learn best.
- Career advancement: a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment that demonstrates your compliance with state and territory skin penetration regulations.
SHBBINF002 Course FAQs
Is the SHBBINF002 infection control course accredited?
Yes. SHBBINF002 Maintain Infection Control Standards is a nationally recognised unit of competency from the SHB Hairdressing and Beauty Services Training Package, delivered by Artisan Training Academy (RTO 46085). It is a single unit, not a full qualification — if you’re looking for nationally recognised infection prevention training in a clinical cosmetic tattoo context, see HLTINF005 Maintain Infection Prevention for Skin Penetration Treatments.
What’s the difference between SHBBINF002 and HLTINF005?
SHBBINF002 sits in the SHB Hairdressing and Beauty Services Training Package and is the standard infection control unit for beauticians and beauty therapists in salons and cosmetic medical clinics. HLTINF005 sits in the HLT Health Training Package and is the unit most often required by councils and PMU studios for cosmetic tattoo and skin penetration practitioners specifically. Both are nationally recognised, both cover skin penetration infection control, and many beauty businesses choose the unit their local council or insurer specifies. If you’re not sure which one applies to your work, get in touch and we’ll help you pick the right pathway.
Do I need beauty experience to enrol?
No prior beauty qualification is required. The course is suitable for beginners entering the beauty industry, existing salon practitioners updating their infection control credentials, and cosmetic tattoo artists who need to meet salon infection control requirements. The only prerequisites are basic English language, literacy and numeracy, a USI, internet access, and recording equipment if you’re submitting the practical by video.
How long is the course and how is it delivered?
The course is 100% online and self-paced, with up to 3 months to complete from your enrolment date. The theory and Knowledge Test are completed entirely online through the learner portal. The practical demonstration can be submitted as a recorded video filmed in your own salon or workplace, or you can book a time to complete it in person at our Worongary academy — whichever you prefer.
How will I be assessed?
There are two assessment tasks. The first is a Unit Knowledge Test — written, open book, untimed — covering the theory of beauty and salon infection control. The second is a Practical Demonstration where you show you can identify cross-contamination risks, choose and use cleaning, disinfection and sterilising procedures, operate a steriliser correctly (packaging, loading, monitoring, validation, documentation), and dispose of waste and sharps to Australian standards. Both tasks are scored Satisfactory or Not Satisfactory, and you’re entitled to a resubmission if needed.
What’s included in the course fee and where is the training delivered?
The $300 course fee includes your learner guide, self-study guide, class activities workbook, online theory access, assessment tasks, workplace documentation templates, both assessment attempts (with a resubmission if needed), your nationally recognised Statement of Attainment on successful completion, and trainer support. If you book in for the practical at our academy in 1/86 Quambone Street, Worongary QLD 4213, we provide access to the autoclave and cleaning supplies. Otherwise, the entire course can be completed remotely from anywhere in Australia.
Fees, Payment Options & Enrolment
Course Fee
The SHBBINF002 Maintain Infection Control Standards course fee is $300. Payment is required before access to the unit is provided.
You can pay the $300 in full using the Buy Now or Pay Deposit button at the top of this page. Payment is required before access to the unit is provided.
Enrolment Process
- Application: click the Enrol Now button at the top of this page and complete the online application form with your personal details and any relevant qualifications.
- Assessment: our team will review your application and confirm your eligibility for the course, including a quick LLN check.
- Confirmation & payment: once accepted, you’ll receive confirmation of enrolment along with payment instructions.
- Commencement: you’ll get access to the online learner portal and all course resources. From here, work through the chapters at your own pace and book your practical when you’re ready — video or in person.
Course Dates
This course is offered as rolling enrolment — you can start any time. From your enrolment date, you have up to 3 months to complete the online theory and Knowledge Test. The practical demonstration can then be submitted by video, or you can book in for an in-person practical at our Worongary academy on a date that suits you.
For other Artisan course intakes — cosmetic tattoo, brow tattoo, beauty and infection control — see our Academic Calendar.