CUA40920 is the nationally recognised Certificate IV in Music. It prepares you for work as a performing arts technicians. It has been the current version on the national register since 2021, when it replaced CUA40915. Employers posted about 94 performing arts technicians jobs in June 2026, up 19.5% on a year earlier.
Often searched as Cert 4 in Music · Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au
Online job ads · June 2026
94last month
Performing arts technicians roles advertised across Australia
Up on a year earlier
Long-term outlook
Mixed
One structural signal up; enrolments falling
Register status
Current
Replaced CUA40915 in 2021
Enrolments
Falling
Down 10.8% in a year
Funding status
Verification pending
Checked against official state program lists
The short answer
The signals behind the Certificate IV in Music are mixed, and both sides are worth weighing. Performing arts technicianses 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 jobs than a year ago. About 94 performing arts technicians 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 700 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
Combined monthly online job ads across Performing Arts Technicians, 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 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
Fewer people are enrolling in the Certificate IV in Music than a year ago. Across Australia, 785 people enrolled in 2024. In 2025 it was 700, down 10.8% in a year. National data for CUA40920 starts in 2021.
2019
not yet introduced
2020
not yet introduced
10
2021
390
2022
725
2023
785
2024
700
2025
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 IV is typically 0.5 to 2 years 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 CUA40920 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 CUA40920 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 register lists 4 core units for the Certificate IV in Music, plus 84 elective options. Prerequisites apply to Three of them, marked below.
BSBESB301Investigate business opportunities
CUACMP311Implement copyright arrangements
CUAIND411Extend expertise in specialist creative fields
CUAMWB402Manage feedback on creative practice
View the 84 elective options
BSBCMM511Communicate with influence
BSBCRT413Collaborate in creative processes
BSBESB401Research and develop business plans
BSBESB402Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures
BSBESB403Plan finances for new business ventures
BSBESB404Market new business ventures
BSBESB406Establish operational strategies and procedures for new business ventures
BSBFIN401Report on financial activity
BSBINS401Analyse and present research information
BSBLDR413Lead effective workplace relationships
BSBMKG431Assess marketing opportunities
BSBMKG432Research international markets
BSBMKG433Undertake marketing activities
BSBMKG439Develop and apply knowledge of communications industry
BSBMKG550Promote products and services to international markets
BSBOPS403Apply business risk management processes
BSBOPS404Implement customer service strategies
BSBPMG421Apply project time management techniques
BSBTEC401Design and produce complex text documents
BSBTEC402Design and produce complex spreadsheets
BSBTWK401Build and maintain business relationships
BSBWHS512Contribute to managing work-related psychological health and safety
CPCCLDG3001Licence to perform dogging
CPCCLRG3001Licence to perform rigging basic level (has prerequisites)
CPCCLRG3002Licence to perform rigging intermediate level (has prerequisites)
CPCCLRG4001Licence to perform rigging advanced level (has prerequisites)
CPCWHS1001Prepare to work safely in the construction industry
CUABRT415Provide technical support during virtual and hybrid events
CUADES411Generate design solutions
CUADIG401Author interactive media
CUADIG412Design user interfaces
CUADIG413Create user interfaces
CUAFIM411Obtain revenue to support operations
CUAIND412Provide freelance services
CUALGT413Set up and operate lighting cues and effects
CUALGT512Manage installation of lighting systems
CUALGT513Manage lighting operations for outdoor events
CUAMCP311Create simple musical compositions
CUAMCP312Write song lyrics
CUAMCP313Create simple musical pieces using music technology
CUAMCP411Develop techniques for arranging music
CUAMCP412Compose musical pieces
CUAMGT404Administer artists' royalty income
CUAMGT411Manage distribution of music and associated products
CUAMGT412Administer music publishing income
CUAMGT413Manage licensing and assignment of works
CUAMLT311Develop and apply aural perception skills
CUAMLT411Notate music for performance
CUAMLT413Analyse basic harmony functions
CUAMPF411Rehearse music for group performances
CUAMPF412Develop and apply stagecraft skills
CUAMPF413Develop repertoire as part of a backup group
CUAMPF414Perform music as part of a group
CUAMPF415Develop and apply instrumental techniques
CUAMPF416Perform music as a soloist
CUAMPF417Develop vocal techniques
CUAMPF418Develop performance techniques on a second instrument
CUAMPF419Perform music using digital media
CUAMPF420Perform music from written notation
CUAMWB403Prepare to work with confronting material and processes in the creative industries
CUAPOS412Manage media assets
CUAPPM433Coordinate touring arrangements
CUAPPR408Integrate disability access and inclusion
CUARES412Conduct research
CUASOU212Perform basic sound editing
CUASOU304Prepare audio assets
CUASOU306Operate sound reinforcement systems
CUASOU312Develop and apply knowledge of audio theory
CUASOU317Record and mix basic music demos
CUASOU321Mix music in studio environments
CUASOU331Undertake live audio operations
CUASOU406Develop and implement sound plans
CUASOU410Record sound on location
CUASOU411Coordinate sound recording operations on location
CUASOU412Manage audio input sources
CUASOU415Record sound
CUASOU417Edit sound
CUASOU418Edit dialogue
CUASOU419Mix recorded music
CUASOU421Mix audio for live productions
CUASOU422Reproduce sound for post-production
CUAWRT503Write about music
SIRXMKT006Develop a social media strategy
SITXMPR009Coordinate production of brochures and marketing materials
training.gov.au national register, CUA40920 release 3
Same training package
What skill sets come from the CUA training package?
Working with Children in Performing Arts Skill Set
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.
Get Course maps CUA40920 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: Occupation Shortage List 2025 assessment; register training.gov.au, synced 17 September 2026; NCVER Total VET Activity 2025 collection; Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index latest month June 2026; 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.