About the Music Industry in Australia

The music industry encompasses just about any music-related role you can think of, from making, selling and promoting music through to writing, teaching and even using music as a form of therapy.

Jobs within the music industry can include any of the following:

  • Music teacher
  • Professional musician
  • Promoter
  • Music therapist
  • Sound technician

Music is one of the few activities in Australia that is more popular than sport, as not only do music performances attract a combined audience of over 40 million people each year, but there are close to 65,000 jobs across the country that are directly connected with live music alone.

Australia’s music industry also currently includes almost 5,000 music therapists, 11,600 professional musicians and 125,000 music teachers. The average working week is 43 hours long and many roles involve working late nights and weekends.

The rate of pay in music varies dramatically depending on the role, for instance, the average professional musician can make approximately $50,596 per year, whereas music teachers can earn around $77,012.

Getting Trained Up through Music Courses

Few industries are more competitive than music and there is no better way to stand out from the crowd than by investing in music courses.

With such a popular industry, there are always plenty of courses on offer, so if you’re looking for sound production courses and DJ programs through to music composition courses; there are programs and training options available Australia wide to suit your needs.

Certificate

Those new to the industry will love the wide range of music certificates available, because not only do they provide a comprehensive introduction to the industry but they include a broad spectrum of in-class and online options in music courses. A Certificate in Music will train you in the fundamentals regarding music theory,  how music is made, taught and distributed in Australia as well as focus on an area of personal interest, such as sound production or live performance.

Diploma

If you have skills, knowledge and experience already and are looking to broaden your horizons; consider investing in a Diploma of Music. These popular courses tackle topics ranging from music theory, live performance and the art of sound recording. A Diploma of Music is a particularly smart choice for those looking to advance beyond entry-level roles or perhaps even start their own music-related business.

Bachelor Degree

Got big dreams for your music career? If so, a Bachelor of Music will hold you in good stead. A Bachelor of Music Performance, for example, will seriously enhance your performance skills, deepen your understanding of the industry and even broaden your knowledge of a vast array of musical genres. Best of all, you’ll enjoy full access to world-class music facilities; be surrounded by like-minded professionals and have the opportunity to build invaluable industry contacts as well.

Whether you invest in a Bachelor of Music Studies in Brisbane, take music production courses in Sydney, or study DJ music courses in Melbourne; when you study music at TAFE you can count on getting the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to thrive.

Career Prospects in Australia’s Music Industry

Australia’s music industry has undergone significant changes in recent years; however, the future has never looked brighter.

For example, the Australian Recording Industry Association recently announced that the value of recorded music in Australia rose by 5% in 2015, which was the first such increase since 2012. Better yet, according to the latest industry data from the ABS, up to 12,400 music therapists, 13,000 professional musicians, and 144,500 music teachers are expected to be employed nation-wide by 2020.

Is a Career in Music Right for You?

To thrive in the music industry you need to eat, sleep and breathe music; after all, everything you do will revolve around those notes, beats and rhythms. You’ll also need to be skilled in the art of communication, possess an endless source of inspiration and enjoy sharing your love of music with others every day.

To thrive in music the following skills and talents are also a must:

  • Attention to detail
  • Social perceptiveness
  • Patience
  • Time management
  • Hand-eye coordination
  • Natural rhythm
  • An open mind

Find your course, sign up, and get your music career off and running today!