• Home
  • Courses by Subject
      • Accounting
      • Bookkeeping
      • Compliance and Risk
      • Finance
      • MYOB
      • Payroll
      • Xero
      • Animal Care
      • Animal Science
      • Pet Grooming
      • Veterinary Nursing
      • Arts
      • Dance
      • Graphic Design
      • Interior Design
      • Photography
      • User Experience Design
      • Web Design
      • Building and Construction
      • Carpentry
      • Plumbing
      • Business
      • Business Administration
      • Business Development
      • Business Operations
      • Change Management
      • Entrepreneurship
      • Human Resources
      • Leadership and Management
      • Logistics
      • Management
      • PRINCE2
      • Product Management
      • Project Management
      • Quality Management
      • Supply Chain Operations
      • Aged Care
      • Alcohol and Other Drugs
      • Community Services
      • Disability
      • Individual Support
      • Youth Work
      • Child Care
      • Education
      • Education Support
      • Training and Assessment
      • Manufacturing
      • Conservation and Land Management
      • Health Science
      • Horticulture
      • Sustainability
      • Beauty
      • Hairdressing
      • Lash
      • Makeup
      • Nail Technology
      • Allied Health
      • Counselling
      • Dental Assisting
      • Fitness
      • Health
      • Health Administration
      • Health Services Assistance
      • Life Coaching
      • Massage
      • Mental Health
      • Naturopathy
      • Nursing
      • Nutrition
      • Pharmacy
      • Practice Management
      • Psychology
      • Sports Management
      • Celebrancy
      • Event Management
      • Hospitality
      • Retail
      • Travel and Tourism
      • Agile
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • AWS
      • Cloud Computing
      • Coding
      • CompTIA
      • Cyber Security
      • Data Analytics
      • Data Science
      • IT
      • ITIL
      • Microsoft
      • Networking
      • Programming
      • Software
      • Systems Administration
      • Web Development
      • Government
      • Work Health and Safety
      • Digital Marketing
      • Digital Media
      • Marketing
      • Social Media Marketing
    • Blended
    • In-class
    • Online
    • Virtual
    • ACT
    • New South Wales
    • Northern Territory
    • South Australia
    • Tasmania
    • Victoria
    • Western Australia
    • Queensland
    • Certificate II
    • Certificate III
    • Certificate IV
    • Short
    • Diploma
    • Advanced Diploma
    • Associate Degree
    • Bachelor
    • Graduate Certificate
    • Graduate Diploma
    • Masters
  • Resources
  • Workforce Training
  • Contact us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Affiliates
  • About us
Homepage 
ResourcesCareers in AustraliaEducation in AustraliaHow to StudyStudy in AustraliaTAFE in Australia
  1. Home
  2. Resources
  3. Industry Insider
  4. How to Become a Dance Teacher in Australia
Published 28 Sep 2023

How to Become a Dance Teacher in Australia

Avatar photo Michael Yi

“You have to have that passion first. That’s it. You’ve got to love what you do. I think that’s in anything — love what you do and you’ll do well in it.”

Lana Aarons, dancer turned hip-hop studio owner and teacher, doesn’t shy away from emphasising how love for dance plays a central role in pursuing a career as a dance teacher.  

To become a good one, however — one that can make a life-long career out of it — Lana identifies four central pillars that a dance teacher should have:  

  1. Passion
  2. Talent
  3. Visualisation
  4. Communication

Whether you hung up your dancing shoes a while back or you’re still in front of the studio mirror every day, a career as a dance teacher is achievable and highly rewarding. From the skills you need to the responsibilities you’ll have, Lana provides a realistic insight into what a career as a dance teacher is like and what you really need to know to get there.

How to become a dance teacher in Australia


1. Hone your dance skills before you leap into the role of a dance teacher

Choosing your favourite dance style will make teaching it that much more fun. Dedicate yourself to honing the technical skills of that style until you’re highly proficient in it. You should feel confident you could help others develop their skills in that style.


2. Give yourself a solid foundation in dance teaching by studying a relevant qualification

Any Bachelor of Dance degree will allow you to work in a variety of environments and give you the practical and theoretical knowledge required to be a great dance teacher.


3. Get a job as a dance teacher or a dance teacher’s assistant

You could teach in schools, in dance studios, in dance academies, and a range of other environments. Use your dance network in your favour to help you land interviews, or even gain a bit of experience to help your resume stand out.


“For me it was always a normal thing to go and dance… The teaching aspect was always something I thought I would do in the future,” Lana says.

Most dance teachers, if not all of them, are passionate students of the artform themselves. Hence, the transition from student to teacher is often a very natural one for a lot of dancers.

Lana, for example, often approaches the hiring process for her own studio in a more personal way — “The majority of people who teach for me now, originally came to me for dancing,” Lana says, “All my staff have learnt under me.”

Finding a mentor within your dance community is a great way to not only learn the dance steps but learn how to think of them, visualise them and communicate them. “You have to practise and learn from other people,” Lana says.

With time, and some hands-on experience, these relationships can often lead to job opportunities.

Formalising your dance skills via a Bachelor, Diploma or Certificate IV qualification is a great first step. Many of these qualifications offer opportunities to develop a broad range of supplementary skills valuable within the dance industry, including dance teaching skills.

Completing dance teacher courses through education providers like ACPE or ATOD (Australian Teachers of Dancing) can help you further refine critical skills and knowledge. Depending on which training body and qualification you choose, this level of education can lead to dance teacher jobs in:


  • School programs
  • Universities
  • Independent dance studios
  • Formal syllabi-led bodies such as the Royal Academy of Dance

What key skills do I need to have to teach dance?

Let’s return to Lana’s four pillars of a successful dance teacher:


For many dancers, passion and talent are the most easily achievable steps of becoming a dance teacher. But these are not the whole picture. 


Visualisation

“Being a teacher is not only about being able to give students information. It’s also the innate ability to choreograph and make things up,” Lana explains. “You have to have passion for your chosen styles and you have to be good at that style, and you have to be able to visualise what it should look like.”

For Lana, being able to visualise and choreograph are critical components of becoming a good dance teacher and for many, this ability is innate. “From a very young age I was able to visualise what I thought things should look like and how to put them together,” she explains.

Although a natural ability to visualise is important, practise still makes perfect. Taking every opportunity to create your own dances in multiple styles will help build confidence and fluidity in this skill. 


Communication

For many dance teachers, skill is not an issue. Some have even perfected the art of choreographing. However, these skills can only be truly appreciated when combined with effective communication.

“The most important thing is knowing how to communicate. You have to have passion but you have to be able to transfer that passion into a communicable message to be a good teacher,” says Lana. 

Communication doesn’t only entail yelling out the steps or instructions. It also includes visual cues, physicality and verbal triggers.

Dance teachers also need to be approachable and easy to trust, for both students and parents.

“The kids need to feel that they can talk to me about anything, but the parents need to as well.” 

From difficult conversations about progress and abilities, to ensuring the physical and mental health of your students, you will come across a wide range of people and circumstances that demand you to step up — not only as a teacher, but as a mentor and role model as well.


Giving feedback

Providing constant feedback to your students and their parents/guardians is another form of communication that dance teachers need to perfect. Lana adopts a mostly positive feedback structure that encourages open communication channels between student and teacher.

“As a teacher, you’ve got to work on not what they’re good at, but what they’re not good at while giving positive reinforcement the whole time.” 


Organisation and preparation

Lana emphasises that to teach dance “you must prepare before every single class” while also being “adaptable”.  

Like any job, sometimes things just don’t go your way. Being adaptable and able to overcome unexpected hurdles in (or outside) your classroom is often what separates the good teachers from the great ones.

What personality traits will you need to succeed in this role?

Confidence

First and foremost, Lana says, “You have to be able to stand in front of a lot of people to dance and teach. You have to be certain in your ability, and confident in what you do.” 

Teachers, no matter their speciality, are leaders and need to be confident in their abilities. For Lana, confidence was always tied directly to dance.

“You wouldn’t think of me as a shy person, but I’ve always hated standing up and giving speeches. Yet I could dance in front of anyone and not have any worries about it at all.”

When teaching dance, it’s essential that you find a way to communicate your ideas and visions to a room. This takes time and practice (and sometimes a little “fake it till you make it” mentality).

Compassion, empathy and intuition

According to Lana, “You have to be a bit of a psychologist to be a dance teacher.” So, like any good therapist, you need to care.

Good dance teachers listen and take the time to understand their students, their goals and how they’re feeling. Not only does this make you a better teacher but it helps you shape better dancers.

Can you make a career out of dancing teaching?

“A dance teacher doesn’t work a nine to five. They work in a whole range of places and styles and it’s about finding your passion for what kind of teaching you want to do,” Lana says. 

Working evenings, early mornings and weekends are all standard practice for a dance teacher. However, a lot of time is put into planning lessons, choreographing dances, communicating with teachers and students after-hours and general administrative duties. And unfortunately, a lot of the time dedicated to these extra responsibilities goes unpaid. 


Average hourly rates for dance teachers

Entry-level
$0.74

Average
$0.00

Experienced
$0.86

Approximately 23% of dance teachers in Australia work full-time hours

To create full-time work for herself, Lana recognises the importance of consistently learning new trends, skills and styles — “I had to constantly morph myself to be able to keep doing what I love. As a teacher, you have to keep up with the trends of what is changing all the time.”

Is a career as a dance teacher fulfilling?

According to Lana a career in dance can be one of the most fulfilling and professionally satisfying experiences a dancer could ask for. However, this career choice can also only be as fulfilling as your “love of seeing others succeed and progress”.

Dance teachers should inspire and be inspired. Every day should have the opportunity to be different. 

“Every time you teach, you’re teaching something different. New choreography, new people, new environment. It’s all different all the time. But the pleasure you get from seeing the progression of your students is what it’s all about.”

Lana searches for teachers who are willing to work hard for both themselves and their students, identifying that it’s these people who have what it takes to build a strong, loyal client base and make a living doing what they love. 

“I take the time to find dance teachers who are willing to put in and don’t work normal hours. You know, my hours are everywhere and I’m there for people on the phone after hours answering questions and giving feedback. If you’re willing to put that in, those students will stay with you for their dance life.”

Do you think you have what it takes to become a dance teacher? Are you willing to give it a try? 

Formalise your dance skills and strengthen your knowledge about teaching by enrolling in a dance course today.

Browse Dance Courses
Avatar photo
Michael Yi
Michael Yi

Michael is a writer in the education industry who is enthusiastic about revealing industry trends and insights to assist professionals and students in advancing their careers.

Navigator Illustration
Not sure which course to choose? Let us recommend the best courses to suit you!
gator tooltip icon
Our course navigator helps refine thousands of courses into a personalised list that suits you. Click to answer each question, so we can provide you with the best possible courses, tailored to your preferences.
Not sure which course to choose? Let us recommend the best courses to suit you!

Try our navigator tool and find the right course.

Start Here
Navigator Illustration

Latest Articles


Top 10 High Income Skills of 2025 (Based on Real Data)

High-income skills allow you to future-proof your career, making you valuable to any employer. Our d...

Avatar photo
Michael Yi
Nov 29, 2024
Read More

21 Legit Ways to Make Money Online Fast (& Slow) in 2025

Need to boost your income? We compare the best ways to make money online, short- and long-term, that...

Avatar photo
Kristen Michaelides
Nov 26, 2024
Read More

Online Teaching Jobs You Can do From Home — No Degree Needed

Teaching is a rewarding job where you get to use your accrued wisdom and experience to help others o...

Avatar photo
Michael Yi
Oct 13, 2024
Read More

Want to Read More?


How to Build a Successful Personal Training Business

When it comes to mapping out a marketing plan for a small business, nothing is more helpful than soc...

Avatar photo
Candlefox
Feb 24, 2020
Read More

The 11 Worst Mistakes to Make As a Manager

Learning from a mistake is the best way to improve. But what happens when you’re in a role where one...

Claudia Reiners
Apr 5, 2022
Read More

Ethical Hacking: How to Make Money as a Hacker

When you picture a hacker, the word “ethical” probably doesn’t spring to mind. Hackers are often ass...

Avatar photo
Rebecca Fox
Sep 14, 2023
Read More

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get expert advice, insights, and explainers on tricky topics — designed to help you navigate your learning journey with confidence.

By submitting this enquiry I accept the "Privacy Policy" and "Terms of Use"
  • chevron-left
  • Popular Subjects
  • Study Locations
  • Qualification Type
  • Popular Blogs
  • chevron-right
  • Community Services
  • Accounting
  • Animal Care
  • Aged Care
  • Child Care
  • Counselling
  • IT
  • Business Admin
  • Business
  • Disability
  • Education
  • Project Management
  • Marketing
  • Allied Health
  • Building and Construction
  • Fitness
  • View More
  • New South Wales
  • Northern Territory
  • Queensland
  • South Australia
  • Tasmania
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia
  • View More
  • Advanced Diploma
  • Bachelor
  • Certificate III
  • Certificate IV
  • Diploma
  • Masters
  • Short
  • Graduate Certificate
  • View More
  • 5 Low-Stress Jobs to a Create Perfect Work-Life Balance
  • 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Australia Without a Degree
  • 12+ Best Side Hustles in Australia: Money Makers
  • What Are The Most Enjoyable Careers? Top 12 Fun Jobs
  • 22 Jobs You Don't Need Experience For: Learn While You Earn
  • TAFE, VET and AQF – Acronyms in Australian Learning
  • Changing Careers Over 50: The Best Decision You’ll Ever Make
  • Government Funded Courses and Subsidised Training
  • Never Too Late: Studying at TAFE as a Mature Age Student
  • Study at TAFE | Guide to TAFE Courses in Australia
  • 35 Profitable (and Fun) Home Business Ideas You Can Start Today
  • The Top Careers That Earn Over $100K Without a Degree
  • Top 10 High Income Skills of 2025 (Based on Real Data)
  • What is TAFE (Technical and Further Education)
  • View More

Newsletter sign up

We'll email you updates on job trends, career advice, study tips, news and more.
Courses
  • All subjects
  • Online courses
About Us
  • About tafecourses.com.au
Contact us
  • Contact
  • Advertise your course
  • Become an affiliate
Resources
  • Our blog
  • Workforce training
Privacy Policy Terms of Use
Certified B Corporation
Tafecourses Facebook Tafecourses Instagram
Certified B Corporation
Australian Aboriginal flag Torres Strait Islander flag
In the spirit of reconciliation, tafecourses.com.au acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
Copyright © 2025 Tafecourses.com.au
All Rights Reserved.

Newsletter Sign Up

We’ll email you updates on job trends, career advice, study tips, news and more.

By downloading this template I accept the "Privacy Policy" and "Terms of Use"
Back to Top