Young local and rising beauty therapist Josie Tiedemann has been crowned the national winner of the 2024 Beauty Therapy category at the prestigious TAFE Skills Competition, a major achievement that now sees her preparing to represent Australia at the international finals in Shanghai next year.
The event, held in Brisbane, brought together more than 600 competitors from across the country, all vying for top honours in their respective TAFE study areas. Josie, who is currently completing her Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy at TAFE Wagga Wagga, was one of the standout performers in a demanding three-day contest involving multiple disciplines.
“It was a massive event,” Josie said. “There were live streams, interviews, and people everywhere watching. I competed in hot stone massage, nail competitions, makeup, and several other beauty therapy procedures. It was nerve-wracking you really had to remember everything you’ve been taught, and then some.”
Josie initially entered the competition through her TAFE course and admits she didn’t know much about it at first. “They put all the beauty students forward for it, and we started doing a bit of training. But once we got to Brisbane, it was a whole different experience,” she said. “The pressure was on from the moment we arrived.”
The competition was judged with strict criteria, with each procedure starting at 100 points. Points were deducted for the smallest of missteps, whether it was not removing makeup properly or not assisting a client onto a treatment bed correctly. “You had to be perfect in everything,” she explained.
“Even something as simple as not removing all the mascara could lose you points. The clients were real people who volunteered to receive the treatments, and the judges were just standing there watching your every move.”
Despite the intense pressure, Josie excelled winning by a narrow five-point margin over the runner-up and earning the title of National Champion in Beauty Therapy.
“Winning was a shock. I’m still in disbelief, honestly,” she said. “This is something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my career. It opens doors to so many fields in the beauty industry, and I know it’s going to make a huge difference in what I’m able to achieve.”
The win also means Josie will represent Australia at the international beauty therapy competition in Shanghai next year an opportunity she’s embracing with excitement and determination.
“Going to Shanghai to compete on a world stage is massive. I never imagined something like this when I first started studying. Now, I’m working on getting even higher qualifications and preparing for the next level.”
Josie is quick to credit her success to the people around her. “It’s not just about me. My TAFE teachers were incredible, they trained us so thoroughly. It was a team effort all the way,” she said. “My family, friends, and all the people I met along the way really supported me, and that made all the difference.”
More than just a trophy, Josie says the experience has changed how she sees the beauty industry and herself. “The amount I’ve learned, even in areas I didn’t know existed, has been amazing. It’s pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I’m so grateful for it.”
-Liam Stuart
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