Dancer (VIC)

Education and Training:

To become a dancer you usually have to complete a VET qualification in dance. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. In many cases, a natural ability in dance is more important than formal qualifications.

You can also become a dancer by studying dance, dance performance or a related field at university. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your VCE with English. You may also be required to attend an audition or interview. Some courses offer intensive training for a performing career, while others qualify graduates to teach dance, or provide a background that will enable graduates to take up other dance-related careers such as choreography and community arts work. A number of universities in Australia offer degrees in these areas. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Additional Information:

The Australian Ballet School and the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA College) conduct auditions in most states and territories for their diploma programs each year.

Related Courses:

While the following courses are related to this occupation, they may not necessarily lead directly to employment, nor provide the most direct pathway to the occupation. Courses which provide preliminary or informal training, as well as those which provide additional job skills following initial qualifications may also be listed.

*Course is offered by more than one institution. Click link for details.

Employment Opportunities:

Employers of dancers in Australia include the Australian and state ballet companies, contemporary dance companies, independent choreographers, musicals, television studios and some opera companies. The same employment opportunities exist for Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander people trained in dance, dance teaching, choreography and the management of dance projects. All performance positions require an audition and interview with the director of the company or project.

Although some dancers are employed on a permanent basis with dance companies, many perform in small companies or as independent artists and acquire roles in shows or video clips that require their particular dance skills. Freelance dancers must audition for roles as they come up. Some dancers have agents who inform them of available auditions, but most look for audition advertisements in newspapers and magazines or join the professional association, Ausdance. Competition for jobs in the performance industry is very strong.

Accomplished dancers may also teach when they have had sufficient experience and training. Skills in acting and singing, or experience in film and video production, may improve employment options. Many dancers progress to areas such as arts administration, theatre management, public relations, technical backstage work, production, wardrobe and costume-making.