Film and Video Editor

A Film and Video Editor assembles, arranges, and manipulates raw footage, audio, and visual effects to produce coherent, compelling video content for broadcast, streaming, cinema, or corporate use. Working in post-production facilities or freelance studios, they collaborate with directors, producers, and sound engineers to realise the creative vision within technical and narrative constraints. The role demands technical mastery of editing software, aesthetic judgment, and strict adherence to delivery specifications for various media formats and platforms.

Review and organise raw footage, audio recordings, and supplementary media files from production into structured logging and proxy systems. Perform rough cuts and assembly edits to establish narrative structure, pacing, and shot selection according to director briefs and scriptwriting. Apply colour correction and grading using professional software to achieve consistent look, mood, and compliance with broadcast standards. Synchronise dialogue, sound effects, music, and ambient audio tracks using digital audio workstations and video editing suites. Composite visual effects, graphics, titles, and motion elements using layer-based editing and effects plugins to enhance narrative or branding. Export media in multiple formats and specifications required for distribution platforms (cinema DCP, broadcast delivery, streaming profiles, social media). Manage project files, version control, and backup protocols to maintain asset integrity across long-form production cycles. Collaborate with sound designers and audio engineers to integrate Foley, dialogue replacement, and music stems into final mixes.

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.

Most work is freelance or contract-based, meaning no job security, irregular income, and you fund your own software subscriptions and gear. Pay is heavily dependent on network connections and project availability rather than stable progression. You'll also face constant software retraining as tools evolve, and long unpredictable hours during delivery crunch periods.

Some corporate editing roles exist in capital cities. Remote freelance work is common but requires established reputation and client relationships to sustain income.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2123, 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 designers’ work to the performance venuecore
• Adapt to artists' creative demandscore
• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Coordinate technical teams in artistic productionscore
• Coordinate with creative departmentscore
• Digital Literacycore
• Organise rehearsalscore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Process Improvement Identificationcore
• Promote health and safetycore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Theatre techniquescore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Workflow Prioritisationcore
• Write risk assessment on performing arts productioncore
• Written Communicationcore
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Coordinate charity services
• Electronic Document Management
• Engage artistic staff
• Entertainment industry
• Fine arts
• Goal Setting and Planning
• Manage creative department
• Music and video industry
• Negotiate health and safety issues with third parties
• Negotiation
• Organise creative performance
• Philanthropy
• Record Management
• Represent artistic production
• Research and Analysis
• Supervise art gallery staff
• Workload Self-Management
• Write technical riders

• 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