Level 4 is currently the first year of full-time training. It is offered alongside academic year 8 or 9 at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS). Students in Level 4 are expected to achieve well in their academic studies as well as consolidate and expand their technical and artistic dance skills.

Entry into The Australian Ballet School Training Program is by audition only. 

- Classical Ballet

- Pointe Studies (female students)

- Foundation for Gymnasium Training (male)

- Contemporary Dance

- Character Dance

- Performance Studies

- Body Conditioning

- Injury Prevention

- Anatomy

- Performance Psychology

- Nutrition

- Introduction to Dance History

- Introduction to Music

- VCASS Academic Program

Levels 5 & 6 comprise the Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA50113). This is a national qualification studied in conjunction with year 10 and year 11 academic studies, including allied subjects such as Music, Performance Psychology, Nutrition and Cultural Studies.

The course generally occupies two years' full-time study.

The Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA50113) is designed to provide participants with the technical skills, artistry, theoretical knowledge and appropriate attitudes that will lead towards the establishment of a career in the entertainment industry as a dancer or performer in a range of fields, including ballet, musical theatre, contemporary dance, television, advertising, acting, physical theatre or circus arts.

Graduates of the Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA50113) would also have a good basis for undertaking further training as dance teachers. As the national training institution for the dance profession, The Australian Ballet School has a close liaison with the industry through the major performing companies around Australia and internationally.

Graduates continue to be employed by these companies and the course is continually responsive to the needs of the industry.

Entry into The Australian Ballet School Training Program is by audition only. All applicants for the Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA50113) are expected to have completed a minimum education standard of Year 9 secondary schooling or equivalent. Students are selected on the basis of their suitability for vocational classical ballet training. 

Due to the nature of the dance industry and the employment opportunities available, as well as the intense physical nature of dance training, vocational training must be undertaken during a certain age range.  Consequently an applicant’s age will be taken into consideration. Generally, successful applicants will be between 15 and 17 years of age.

The following units are available through http://training.gov.au 

Core units of competency

CUADAN501 Refine ballet technique
CUADAN502 Refine ballet performance skills 
CUADAN505 Refine contemporary dance technique
CUADAN507 Refine dance partnering technique
CUAPRF501 Refine performance techniques
CUAPRF503 Prepare for performances in a competitive environment
CUAWHS403 Incorporate anatomy and nutrition principles into skill development 
CUAWHS501 Maintain a high level of fitness for performance 
CUAPPR502 Develop own sustainable professional practice

Elective units (all units must be completed)

CUACHR501 Create and perform complex dance pieces 
CUADAN503 Perform repertoire for corps de ballet 
CUADAN504 Perform ballet solo variations
CUADAN506 Refine cultural dance technique
CUAMUP501 Apply theatrical make-up and hairstyles
CUADLT402 Explore the relationship between music and dance 
CUACHR403 Develop choreography skills

Electives - Gender Specific

CUADAN509 Refine pointe work techniques (F) 
CUAWHS402 Participate in gym and weight training for performances (M)

Please view our 2021 Fee Schedule

Please view our 2022 Fee Schedule

Visit VET Student Loans for more information.

- Classical Ballet

- Pointe Studies (female students)

- Gymnasium Training (male students)

- Pas De Deux

- Repertoire

- Contemporary Dance

- Character Dance

- Body Conditioning

- Anatomy

- Cultural Studies

- Music

- Theatrical Make-up

- Performance Psychology

- Nutrition

- Dance Perspectives

- Drama

- VCASS Academic Program

- Classical Ballet

- Pointe Studies (female students)

- Pas de Deux

- Variations

- Repertoire

- Contemporary Dance

- Character Dance

- Mime

- Gymnasium Training (male students)

- Limber/Body Conditioning

- Cultural Studies

- Theatrical Make-up

- Performance Psychology & VCE Psychology

- Nutrition

- Anatomy

- VCE Music

- VCE Drama

- VCE Dance

- VCE English

- Jazz (extra curricular class)

Students in Level 7 enrol in the Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA60113), a national qualification combining comprehensive dance training with a strong onsite academic program. The course focuses on technical training and artistic development, preparing students for the dance profession. Students also complete their secondary schooling, gaining the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).

The Australian Ballet School Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA60113) was originally accredited in 1994 and is based on the training program developed by the School since its inception in 1964. The Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA60113) is designed to provide participants with the technical skills, artistry, theoretical knowledge and appropriate attitudes that will lead towards the establishment of a career as a classical ballet dancer. As the national training institution for the dance profession, The Australian Ballet School has a close liaison with the industry through the major performing companies around Australia and internationally. Graduates continue to be employed by these companies and the course is continually responsive to the needs of the industry.

Entry into The Australian Ballet School is by audition only. Entry to the Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA60113) is generally through completion of the Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA50113), plus demonstration of the facility for dance (including coordination, musicality, artistry and appropriate temperament) that is required for professional performance in the field of classical ballet. However, the successful awarding of the Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA50113) does not guarantee rite of passage into the Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA60113) and generally successful applicants will have demonstrated these characteristics and a level of dance ability that is considered appropriate by the Director for entry into Level 7 of The Australian Ballet School’s eight-level training program.

Due to the nature of the dance industry and the employment opportunities available, as well as the intense physical nature of dance training, vocational training must be undertaken during a certain age range.  Consequently an applicant’s age will be taken into consideration. Generally, successful applicants will be between 17 and 19 years of age.

The following units are available through http://training.gov.au

Core units of competency

CUADAN601 Perform dance repertoire at a professional level
CUADAN603 Extend ballet technique to a professional level
CUADAN604 Extend ballet performance skills to a professional level
CUADAN607 Extend contemporary dance technique to a professional level
CUADAN608 Extend contemporary dance performance skills to a professional level
CUAWHS602 Develop techniques for maintaining resilience in a competitive environment
CUAPPR502 Develop own sustainable professional practice

Elective units (all units must be completed)

CUADAN602 Perform advanced classical ballet technique
CUADAN605 Perform pas de deux at a professional level
CUADAN610 Extend allied contemporary dance techniques at a professional level
CUADAN508 Develop expertise in allied contemporary dance technique
CUACHR501 Create and perform complex dance pieces
CUADAN609 Extend cultural dance performance skills to a professional level
CUAIND601 Work professionally in the creative arts industry
CUAMUP501 Apply theatrical make-up and hairstyles
CUAWHS501 Maintain a high level of fitness for performance
CUAPRF503 Prepare for performances in a competitive environment

Electives - Gender Specific

CUADAN606 Extend pointe work techniques to a professional level (F)
CUAWHS601 Apply advanced gym and weight training to ballet (M)

Please view our 2022 Fee Schedule

Visit VET Student Loans for more information

- Classical Ballet

- Pointe Studies (female students)

- Pas de Deux

- Variations

- Repertoire

- Contemporary Dance

- Spanish Dance

- Mime

- Gymnasium Training (male students)

- Limber/Body Conditioning

- Cultural Studies

- Theatrical Make-up

- Performance Psychology & VCE Psychology

- Nutrition

- VCE Music

- VCE Drama

- VCE Dance

- VCE English

- Jazz (extra curricular class)

Level 8 students enrol in the Graduate Diploma of Classical Ballet (NAT1100). This qualification  prepares students for the dance profession at a virtuoso level by refining their dance technique and developing their professional skills through career development activities and performances, including a secondment with The Australian Ballet’s Regional Tour.

The course generally occupies one year full-time study.

The Graduate Diploma of Classical Ballet (NAT11008) is intended to provide participants with a range of knowledge, skills, generic and specific competencies to perform the following job role - virtuoso classical ballet dancer; an individual who possesses outstanding technical and artistic ability in the art of classical ballet. As the national training institution for the dance profession, The Australian Ballet School has a close liaison with the industry through the major performing companies around Australia and internationally. Graduates continue to be employed by these companies and the development of this course is responsive to needs expressed by the industry.

Dance training to vocational level requires intensive physical training. Delivery must be in full-time mode only. Therefore, part-time or distance delivery modes are not appropriate. Delivery must ensure access to opportunities for live performance. A range of support mechanisms is available through The Australian Ballet School to maximise the opportunities for participants to complete their course successfully.

The employment rate for graduates demonstrates the high quality and relevance of the vocational training offered by the School. 75% of the dancers employed by The Australian Ballet are graduates of the School.

Graduates have gained employment in some 75 major ballet and dance companies throughout the world, some sight unseen, through the reputation of the training offered by The Australian Ballet School.

Entry into this course is by selective audition and/or assessment. All applicants for the Graduate Diploma of Classical Ballet (NAT1100) are expected to have completed a minimum education standard of Year 11 secondary schooling or equivalent. Generally, students from non-English speaking backgrounds who are selected into The Australian Ballet School are required to have a basic comprehension of the English language. Overseas students from Assessment Level 4 countries will be required to provide evidence of an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test score of at least 5.5 prior to enrolment and then, if necessary, be tutored in conversational English on arrival in Australia.

Students are selected on the basis of their suitability for virtuoso classical ballet training; an individual who possesses outstanding technical and artistic ability in the art of classical ballet. This includes possessing the physical characteristics of a professional classical ballet dancer and an exceptional physical aptitude for dance (including coordination, musicality, artistry and appropriate temperament), that is required for intensive dance training and virtuoso performance in the field of classical ballet. The successful awarding of The Australian Ballet School’s Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA60113) does not guarantee rite of passage into the Graduate Diploma and generally successful applicants will have demonstrated these characteristics and a level of dance ability that is considered appropriate by the Director for entry into Level 8 of The Australian Ballet School’s Training Program.

Due to the nature of the dance industry and the employment opportunities available, as well as the intense physical nature of dance training, vocational training must be undertaken during a certain age range. Consequently an applicant’s age will be taken into consideration.

The pathway through this course is via full-time study.

9 Core units of competency

NAT11008001 Demonstrate virtuoso classical ballet technique
NAT11008002 Demonstrate and perform virtuoso solo variations
NAT11008003 Perform virtuoso pas de deux
NAT11008004 Perform virtuoso repertoire
NAT11008005 Demonstrate virtuoso contemporary dance practice
CUAWHS612 Develop techniques for maintaining resilience in a competitive environment
NAT11008006 Apply nutrition principles to the requirements of a professional dancer
CUAWHS511 Maintain a high level of fitness for performance
CUAIND611 Work professionally in the creative arts industry

1 of 2 Gender Specific Core Units

NAT11008007 Female: Demonstrate virtuoso pointe work techniques
NAT11008008 Male: Apply extended gym/weight techniques to virtuoso ballet training

Please view our 2022 Fee Schedule

Visit VET Student Loans for more information.

- Classical Ballet

- Pointe Studies (female students)

- Pas de Deux

- Variations

- Contemporary Dance

- Production Studies

- Performance Psychology

- Career Management

- Gymnasium Training (male students)

- Body Conditioning

- Jazz (extra curricular class)

TBA.