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Study Dancing

Potential Career Outcomes

Some potential occupations include:

This occupation requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree or higher degree and in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation to have a positive skills assessment.

Course overview

Dancer falls under the dance and musical section in Australia. Dancers in Australia performs a wide variety of genres and styles. In additional to performing, dancers tend to run their own dance classes or are employed by dance school in a dance teaching positions.

Passionate about dancing or running your own dance classes? In Australia, there are many courses you can take to start your career as a dancer. Australia offers courses both at the vocational training level across to higher education. In these courses you will be exposed to topics such as:

  • Basic Dance Techniques
  • Team Management
  • Work Health and Safety
  • Dance methods
  • Dance Class Organisation
  • Developing learning programs
  • Conflict Management

Graduate Outcomes

  • A dancer earns on average $1366 per week.
  • The number of people in the industry grew strongly over the past 5 years and is expected to increase over the next 5 years.
  • Most dancers work in these industries: Arts and Recreation, Education and Training and Informative Media and Telecommunications.

Common Course Requirements

  • Completion of secondary education
  • Meet English proficiency (Usually at least IELTS 5.5 overall).

Related Courses

Some related courses include:

  • Certificate IV in Dance

Duration: 48 to 52 weeks
Intake: 4 Terms
Cost: $13,590 to $13,900

Locations:  Melbourne

  • Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management
    Duration: 35 to 52 weeks
    Intake: 4 Terms
    Cost: $7,955 to $15,200
    Locations: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane
  • Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management

Duration: 48 weeks

Intake: 4 Terms

Cost: From $15,200

Location: Melbourne

  • Bachelor of Dance Education/ Practice

Duration: 156 to 208 weeks

Intake: twice a year (February, July)

Cost: From AUD$21,920 to $32,850 per year

Location: Melbourne, Perth

Studying Dance in Australia: What the Course Covers

Dance courses develop your technique, performance and creative skills across styles such as ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop and commercial dance. You study technique classes, choreography and improvisation, performance and rehearsal practice, anatomy, injury prevention and conditioning, dance history, music, and the business side of a dance career. Dance teaching courses add teaching methods, class planning for different ages and levels, safe dance practice and running a dance school. Most courses include public performances or teaching placements.

Qualifications and AQF Levels

Qualification AQF level What it prepares you for
Certificate IV in Dance or Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management AQF 4 Pre professional training and assistant dance teacher roles
Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) or Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management AQF 5 Performer and dance teacher roles
Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) AQF 6 Professional performance training
Bachelor of Dance, Fine Arts (Dance) or Dance Education AQF 7 Professional performer, choreographer and dance educator careers

Study Pathways

Performers usually train through full time Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs at specialist dance schools, or a university dance degree, and most courses require an audition. Dance teachers can study a Certificate IV or Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management, while teaching dance in schools requires a teaching degree. For migration, the Dancer or Choreographer occupation is generally assessed at bachelor degree level or higher, as noted above.

Related Occupations and Visa Pathways (as at October 2026)

Occupation ANZSCO CSOL (482 and 186) Skilled lists (189, 190, 491, 485)
Dancer or Choreographer 211112 No MLTSSL
Dance Teacher (Private Tuition) 249212 No STSOL

Our Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) guide explains which visas use each list and what that means for dancers, choreographers and dance teachers. Dancer or Choreographer and Dance Teacher (Private Tuition) were not included in the CSOL from 7 December 2024.

Career Outlook

Dancers work with dance companies, musical theatre and commercial productions, events, cruise ships, film and television, and many also teach. Performance work is competitive and often project based, so most dancers combine performing with teaching, choreography or other work. Private dance schools and studios provide steady teaching opportunities.

Applying for a Student Visa to Study Dance

Dance courses often require auditions, so your application can point to your training history, performances or teaching experience and explain the dance career you are aiming for. The current visa conditions are on our Student visa (subclass 500) page.

Dance Study FAQs

Dancer or Choreographer (211112) is on the MLTSSL but was not included in the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Dance Teacher (Private Tuition) is on the STSOL but not the CSOL. This means employer sponsorship under the 482 Core Skills stream is not available for these occupations, but skilled visas may still be possible.

The 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream requires an MLTSSL occupation and a positive skills assessment. Dancer or Choreographer is on the MLTSSL, but the assessment generally requires a bachelor level qualification, so a diploma alone is unlikely to be enough. Bachelor graduates may be eligible for the Post-Higher Education Work stream.

Most performance focused dance courses require an audition, which may be held in person or by video. Teaching focused courses may have lower entry requirements.

Many graduates teach in private dance studios, choreograph for companies, events and productions, run community or fitness based dance classes, or move into arts administration. Teaching dance in schools generally needs a teaching degree and teacher registration in addition to dance training.

Related guides

Am I eligible for a Student visa? Student Visa Funds Calculator Study a Trade Course Assessment Study a Uni Course Assessment

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