How to become a Musician
Official title: Musician (Instrumental)
Also called: Instrumentalist
Entertains by playing one or more musical instruments.
Main tasks
- Practices and rehearses music to maintain and improve skills
- Performs live music for audiences in a variety of venues such as concert halls, clubs and festivals
- Selects and arranges music for performances
- Collaborates with other musicians, bands, orchestras or ensembles
- Creates music using electronic instruments, synthesisers, drum machines, and computer-based production techniques
- Records music for distribution and sale
- Contributes to the cultural landscape by expressing emotions, telling stories and communicating ideas through the universal language of music
Ways in
- University: Creative Arts & Design degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia
- TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Music (CUA60520); Certificate III in Music (CUA30920); Certificate II in Music (CUA20620); Certificate IV in Music (CUA40920); Diploma of Music (CUA50820); Diploma of Musical Theatre (CUA50220)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $91,832 a year
- About 10,700 people work in this job group now, and about 11,800 are projected by 2035. (+11%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Musician?
Ways in include: Creative Arts & Design degrees; Advanced Diploma of Music; Certificate III in Music.
How much does a Musician earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $91,832 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Musician a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2035, from about 10,700 to about 11,800 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Musician?
Not always. 51% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Creative Arts & Design degrees; Advanced Diploma of Music; Certificate III in Music.
Will AI change the work of a Musician?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04