Audio Engineer

An audio engineer designs, installs, operates, and maintains sound systems and audio equipment for live events, broadcast, studios, and venues across Australia. They work with analogue and digital audio equipment to capture, mix, process, and reproduce sound to required technical and creative specifications. The role requires knowledge of acoustics, signal flow, mixing consoles, microphone techniques, and audio software in settings ranging from concert halls and theatres to recording studios and broadcast facilities.

Set up and configure mixing consoles, microphones, amplifiers, and speaker systems for live events or recording sessions. Operate sound desks during live performances or broadcasts, adjusting levels, EQ, and effects in real time to maintain audio quality. Conduct sound checks and line checks prior to events, testing all audio equipment and confirming signal flow with performers or presenters. Install permanent or temporary audio systems in venues, including cabling, speaker placement, and equipment mounting to ensure optimal acoustics. Troubleshoot audio faults such as feedback, hum, signal loss, or equipment malfunction during or after events. Record audio tracks using digital audio workstations (DAWs) and multi-track recording equipment in studio or on-location settings. Mix and edit audio recordings, adjusting levels, panning, EQ, compression, and applying effects to achieve desired sound quality. Maintain inventory of audio equipment, conducting regular testing, repair, and calibration of microphones, cables, amplifiers, and processors.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate IV or Certificate III with at least two years of on-the-job training (ABS skill level 3). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

You're looking at irregular work patterns: gigs, events, and broadcasts don't follow 9-to-5 schedules, so nights, weekends, and last-minute callouts are normal. Pay can be inconsistent between projects. You'll also face constant gear obsolescence: audio tech evolves fast, so ongoing training and equipment investment never stops.

Regional centres have smaller opportunities tied to theatres and touring shows. Remote work isn't really an option since you need to be on-site operating equipment at venues, studios, or events.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 3995, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Active Listeningcore
• Adapt artistic plan to locationcore
• Adapt to artists' creative demandscore
• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Continuous Learning and Upskillingcore
• Digital Literacycore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Customer Needs Assessment
• Electronic Document Management
• Multitasking
• Negotiation
• Process Improvement Identification
• Record Management
• Risk Identification
• Workload Self-Management

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026