CUA20420Certificate IICurrentCUA training package

CUA20420 Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts

CUA20420 is the nationally recognised Certificate II behind performing arts technicians nec work. It has been the current version on the national register since 2021, when it replaced CUA20415. About 94 performing arts technicians nec jobs were advertised in June 2026, up 19.5% on a year earlier.

Often searched as Cert 2 in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts · Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au
Online job ads · June 2026
94last month
Performing arts technicians nec roles advertised across Australia
Up on a year earlier
Long-term outlook
Mixed
One structural signal up; enrolments falling
Register status
Current
Replaced CUA20415 in 2021
Enrolments
Falling fast
Down 65.5% in a year
Funding status
Verification pending
Checked against official state program lists
The short answer

The signals behind the Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts are mixed, and both sides are worth weighing. Performing arts technicians necs are in national shortage and job ads in June 2026 were up 19.5% on a year earlier. Enrolments are falling. These are official statistics, not a promise about your result.

Jobs and Skills Australia

Is the work there?

Employers are posting more performing arts technicians nec jobs than a year ago. About 94 performing arts technicians nec jobs were advertised online in June 2026, up 19.5% on a year earlier. Over the last 12 months there were about 1,100 job ads, while 205 people were training in the qualification nationally (2025). Ads show the market. Enrolments show the pipeline. Neither is a job promise.

Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index · latest month June 2026 · ANZSCO 3995
94
Combined monthly online job ads across Performing Arts Technicians Nec, to June 2026

Official shortage list

Australia's official shortage list rates light technicians and sound technicians as in shortage. The 2025 Occupation Shortage List rates Light Technician and Sound Technician as in national shortage; Broadcast Transmitter Operator, Camera Operator (Film, Television or Video), Make Up Artist, Musical Instrument Maker or Repairer, Television Equipment Operator and Performing Arts Technicians nec as not in shortage.

Jobs and Skills Australia, Occupation Shortage List · 2025 assessment

Ten year outlook

Performing arts technicians nec jobs are projected to stay about flat. Jobs and Skills Australia projections put these occupations at 16,279 workers in May 2025, 16,717 by May 2030 (up 2.7%) and 17,630 by May 2035 (up 8.3%).

16,279
workers, May 2025
16,717
workers, May 2030
17,630
workers, May 2035
Jobs and Skills Australia employment projections · May 2025 to May 2035
Occupation mapping by Get Course, shown with ANZSCO codes so it can be checked.
NCVER Total VET Activity

Who is training

Enrolments in the Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts are dropping fast. Across Australia, 595 people enrolled in 2024. In 2025 it was 205, down 65.5% in a year. National data for CUA20420 starts in 2022.

NCVER Total VET Activity · 2025 collection
training.gov.au · Australian Qualifications Framework

What does studying it involve?

The register and the national framework set some of this. Providers set the rest.

How long it takes
A Certificate II is typically 0.5 to 1 year of full-time study under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Providers set the exact length and pace.
Delivery
Providers set the delivery mode.
Credit for experience
Recognition of prior learning applies to CUA20420 like any qualification on the national register: an approved provider assesses your evidence against each unit.
training.gov.au national register; Australian Qualifications Framework.
State subsidised training lists

What does it cost, and who funds it?

State funding for CUA20420 is being verified against official program lists.

Eligibility and student contributions vary by program and provider. The official state listing is the source of truth. In a subsidised place the government pays most of the tuition and you pay a co-contribution set by the program and provider.

Official state subsidised training program lists, verified per state. Full-fee prices will appear here as partner courses are listed.
training.gov.au · unit packaging

What is in the qualification

The Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts is 10 units: 5 core, plus 5 electives chosen from 50 options on the register.

  • BSBWHS211Contribute to the health and safety of self and others
  • CUAACD101Use basic drawing techniques
  • CUAATS111Develop understanding of own Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity
  • CUAATS211Prepare for work in the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural arts industry
  • CUAPPR211Make simple creative work
View the 50 elective options
  • BSBCRT201Develop and apply thinking and problem solving skills
  • BSBESB301Investigate business opportunities
  • BSBPEF202Plan and apply time management
  • BSBSTR301Contribute to continuous improvement
  • BSBSUS211Participate in sustainable work practices
  • BSBTEC101Operate digital devices
  • BSBTEC201Use business software applications
  • BSBTEC202Use digital technologies to communicate in a work environment
  • BSBTWK201Work effectively with others
  • CUAACD201Develop drawing skills to communicate ideas
  • CUAATS212Investigate and present features of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture
  • CUACER201Develop ceramic skills
  • CUADAN211Develop basic dance techniques
  • CUADAN214Perform basic Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander dance techniques
  • CUADES201Follow a design process
  • CUADES202Evaluate the nature of design in a specific industry context
  • CUADIG212Develop digital imaging skills
  • CUADIG213Develop video art skills
  • CUADRA201Develop drawing skills
  • CUAGLA201Develop glassworking skills
  • CUAIND211Develop and apply creative arts industry knowledge
  • CUAIND212Develop and apply knowledge of information and cultural services organisations
  • CUAJWL211Develop jewellery-making skills
  • CUAPAI211Develop painting skills
  • CUAPPR202Participate in planning process for proposed artwork sites
  • CUAPPR203Store finished creative work
  • CUAPRI211Develop printmaking skills
  • CUASCU211Develop sculptural skills
  • CUATEX201Develop skills in textile work
  • CUAWHS111Follow safe dance practices
  • CUAWOO201Develop woodworking skills
  • ICTICT215Operate digital media technology packages
  • MEM48005Apply basic knowledge of casting operations
  • MSFDG3003Paint and fire glass
  • MSFFP2013Use basic artwork framing techniques
  • MSFGG3024Form glass
  • MSFGN2001Make measurements and calculations
  • MSFPF2014Assemble basic artwork packages
  • MSMPCII295Operate manufacturing equipment
  • MSMPCII296Make a small furniture item from timber
  • MSMPCII297Make an object from cloth using an existing pattern
  • MSMPCII298Make an object from metal
  • MSMPCII299Make an object from plastic
  • MSMPMC308Operate slip casting equipment
  • MSMPMC310Hand mould products
  • MSTAT2006Assemble simple textile products
  • MSTAT2011Use printing techniques to produce Indigenous textile designs
  • MSTAT2012Use dyeing techniques to produce Indigenous textile designs
  • MSTAT2013Work within an Indigenous cultural framework
  • MSTGN2023Identify and handle fabrics and textiles
training.gov.au national register, CUA20420 release 2
Same training package

What skill sets come from the CUA training package?

Specialist Entertainment Rigging Skill Set (Theatre)
CUASS00063 · skill set guide
Musical Theatre Performance Skill Set
CUASS00103 · skill set guide
Working with Children in Performing Arts Skill Set
CUASS00110 · skill set guide
Preparatory Skill Set for Professional Graphic Design Practice Skill Set
CUASS00105 · skill set guide
Acting Performance Skill Set
CUASS00073 · skill set guide
Outdoor Pyrotechnics Skill Set
CUASS00084 · skill set guide
Where to study

Where can I study CUA20420?

No Get Course partner currently lists this qualification. Check the national register for organisations approved to deliver it, and remember that approval to deliver is a regulatory fact, not a recommendation. You can browse live courses from our partners and enquire today.

Browse courses
How we calculate these figures

Get Course maps CUA20420 to its occupations using the register’s own outcome wording, shown with ANZSCO codes (here, 3995) so the mapping can be checked. Job advertisement counts come from the Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index and count online ads, not vacancies filled. Enrolment counts come from NCVER Total VET Activity and count people in training, not completions. Funding rows appear only after verification against the official state program list. Source vintages: NCVER Total VET Activity 2025 collection; Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index latest month June 2026; register training.gov.au, synced 17 September 2026; Occupation Shortage List 2025 assessment; employment projections May 2025 to May 2035 release; register synced 18 Sept 2026. Page last updated 19 Sept 2026.

About this page. Every number on this page shows its source and date. Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au. Compiled by Get Course from public data sources. It is not provided or endorsed by any training organisation, and nothing here is advice about your individual situation. Statistics describe groups; your result depends on you. If you represent a training organisation and want to correct or add to this page, contact hello@getcourse.com.au.