The Australian Ballet School offers a well-established and internationally recognised full-time program of vocational dance training. Full-time students learn in a focused and professional environment, led by specialist staff and supported by the care of an integrated health team.
Full-time training encompasses Levels 4 to 8 of the training program. Students typically complete the full-time program by 20 years of age.
Level 4 is currently the first year of full-time training. It is offered alongside academic year 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.
2026 Fee for Level 4 is $14,110
2027 Fee for Level 4 is $14,750
- 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
Levels 5 & 6 comprise the Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA51520). 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.
Entry into The Australian Ballet School Training Program is by audition only. Students are selected based on 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.
All applicants for the Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA51520) are expected to have completed a minimum education standard of Year 9 secondary schooling or equivalent. Students who have not completed a Diploma Level qualification or year 12 or equivalent will be required to undertake a DEWR approved literacy and numeracy test prior to enrolment.
Overseas students must satisfy Vocational English requirements in order to obtain a Student Visa.
The following units are available through http://training.gov.au
Core units
CUADAN531 Refine dance techniques
CUADAN517 Refine dance partnering techniques
CUAPRF511 Refine performance techniques
CUAPRF513 Prepare for and perform in competitive environments
CUAWHS413 Incorporate anatomy principles into skill development
CUAWHS511 Maintain a high level of fitness for performance
CUAPPR512 Develop sustainability of own professional practice.
Elective units
CUACHR411 Create and perform dance pieces
CUADAN511 Refine ballet techniques
CUADAN512 Refine ballet performance skills
CUADAN513 Perform repertoire for corps de ballet
CUADAN514 Perform ballet solo variations
CUADAN515 Refine contemporary dance techniques
CUADAN516 Refine cultural dance techniques
CUAMUP511 Apply theatrical make-up and hairstyles
CUACHR413 Develop choreography skills
10th Elective – 1 for Males, 1 for Females
CUADAN519 Refine pointe work techniques
CUAWHS412 Participate in gym and resistance training for performances
2026 Tuition Fees (2-year course commencing 2026) $32,960
2026 Tuition Fees (accelerated 1-year course commencing 2026) $16,480
2027 Tuition Fees (2-year course commencing 2026) $34,400
2027 Tuition Fees (accelerated 1-year course commencing 2027) $17,220
Fee Schedules: Australian and New Zealand Students
Fee Schedules: International Students
Visit VET Student Loans for more information.
- Classical Ballet
- Pointe Studies
- Gymnasium Training
- 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 Classes
LEVEL 7
Students in Level 7 enrol in the Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA60120), 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).
Entry into The Australian Ballet School Training Program is by audition only. Students are selected based on 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.
All applicants for the Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA60120) are expected to have completed a minimum education standard of Year 11 secondary schooling or equivalent.
Students who have not completed a Diploma Level qualification or year 12 or equivalent will be required to undertake a DEWR approved literacy and numeracy test prior to enrolment.
Overseas students must satisfy Vocational English requirements in order to obtain a Student Visa.
The following units are available through http://training.gov.au
Core units
CUADAN531 Refine dance techniques
CUADAN631 Perform dance repertoire at a professional level
CUAWHS611 Apply advanced gym and weight training to dance
CUAWHS612 Develop strategies for maintaining resilience in a competitive environment
Elective units
CUADAN517 Refine dance partnering techniques
CUADAN613 Extend ballet techniques to a professional level
CUADAN614 Extend ballet performance skills to a professional level
CUADAN615 Perform pas de deux at a professional level
CUADAN631 Perform dance repertoire at a professional level
CUAMUP511 Apply theatrical make-up and hairstyles
CUADAN518 Develop expertise in allied contemporary dance techniques
CUADAN617 Extend dance techniques to a professional level
CUADAN618 Extend contemporary dance performance skills to a professional level
CUADAN621 Perform virtuoso contemporary dance techniques
CUADAN619 Extend cultural dance performance skills to a professional level
CUACHR511 Create and perform complex dance pieces
CUAPRF511 Refine performance techniques
CUARES501 Refine conceptual understanding of dance
CUAIND611 Work professionally in the creative arts industry
(CUAWHS511 Maintain a high level of fitness for performance - new students only)
2026 Tuition Fees: $22,125
2027 Tuition Fees: $23,150
Fee Schedules: Australian and New Zealand Students
Fee Schedules: International Students
Visit VET Student Loans for more information.
- Classical Ballet
- Pointe Studies
- Gymnasium Training
- 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 Classes
LEVEL 8
Level 8 students enrol in the Graduate Diploma of Classical Ballet (11008NAT). 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.
Entry into this course is by selective audition and/or assessment. Entry into The Australian Ballet School is by audition and/or through completion of the Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA61020). However, the successful awarding of the Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA61020) does not guarantee rite of passage into the Graduate Diploma of Classical Ballet (11008NAT).
Students are selected based on 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. 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 20 years of age.
Applicants for the Graduate Diploma of Classical Ballet (11008NAT) are expected to have completed a minimum education standard of Year11 secondary schooling or equivalent, and to have exited secondary school. Students who have not completed a Diploma Level qualification or above, or year 12 or equivalent will be required to undertake a DEWR approved literacy and numeracy test prior to enrolment. Overseas students must satisfy Vocational English requirements in order to obtain a Student Visa.
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
2026 Tuition Fees: $23,225
2027 Tuition Fees: $24,295
Fee Schedules: Australian and New Zealand Students
Fee Schedules: International Students
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
Entry into the Training Program requires audition. Learn about our audition modes.
