Dancer or Choreographer

A dancer or choreographer creates and performs movement-based artistic work in theatrical, film, television, or live performance settings. They develop choreographic sequences, rehearse and refine movement vocabularies, and perform in front of audiences or cameras. Choreographers may direct other dancers, manage rehearsal schedules, and collaborate with musicians, directors, and production designers to realise a creative vision.

Develop and design choreographic sequences using movement vocabulary appropriate to the performance style, genre, and narrative intent. Teach and rehearse movement patterns to other dancers, providing feedback on technique, timing, spacing, and interpretation. Analyse music, soundscapes, or spoken text to inform movement composition and timing decisions. Execute complex movement sequences with precision, including turns, jumps, extensions, and partner work across ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, or other dance styles. Collaborate with directors, composers, and designers to align choreography with the overall production concept and stage design. Audition and select dancers for ensemble and lead roles based on technical ability, style fit, and performance quality. Create movement notation or video documentation of choreographic works for rehearsal reference and preservation. Adapt choreography to suit different performance spaces, stage dimensions, and technical constraints (lighting rigs, floor surfaces, props).

The standard entry pathway requires a bachelor degree or higher (ABS Skill Level 1). 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.

Your body has a shelf life. Injuries pile up, and recovery gets slower. You'll likely need to transition into teaching or admin roles by your 40s, which means lower pay and less creative control. Even when working, gigs are freelance and sporadic, so income is unpredictable and benefits are scarce.

Regional opportunities exist but are limited to occasional touring shows. Remote work is rare; you need to be on-site for rehearsals and performances.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2111, 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
• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Continuous Learning and Upskillingcore
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivitycore
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligencecore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Group Facilitationcore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Workload Self-Managementcore
• Digital Literacy
• Inclusive Practice
• Negotiation
• Research and Analysis
• Risk Identification
• Stakeholder Communication
• Written Communication

• 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