Music Director (ANZSCO 211212)
Updated
What a Music Director does
Conducts choirs, orchestras, bands, ensembles, opera companies and musical performances. This occupation requires high levels of creative talent or personal commitment and interest as well as, or in place of, formal qualifications or experience.
- Specialisations
- Band Leader, Choral Director, Orchestra Conductor
Key facts
- ANZSCO code
- 211212
- Skill level
- 1Bachelor degree or higher
- Assessing authority
- VETASSESS
- National shortage
- No shortage
Visa options
Occupation eligibility is one requirement; each visa page links to the rest.
Points-tested
- Subclass 189 Skilled IndependentVia MLTSSLEligible
- Subclass 190 Skilled NominatedVia MLTSSLEligible
- Subclass 491, state or territory nominatedVia MLTSSLEligible
- Subclass 491, family sponsoredVia MLTSSLEligible
Employer-sponsored
Main tasks
- creating melodic, harmonic and rhythmic structures to express ideas and emotions in musical form
- translating ideas and concepts into standard musical signs and symbols for reproduction and performance
- undertaking research and liaising with clients when composing musical backing for television commercials, popular recordings, and radio, television and film productions
- auditioning and selecting Musicians and Singers
- selecting music for performances and assigning instrumental parts to musicians
- directing musical groups at rehearsals and performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance, rhythm and tempo
- studying and rehearsing repertoire and musical scores prior to performances
- playing music in recital, as an accompanist, or as a member of an orchestra, band or other musical group, from score and by memory
- performing music and songs according to interpretation, direction and style of presentation, using highly developed aural skills to reproduce music
Shortage by state
- NationalNo shortage
- ACTNo shortage
- NSWNo shortage
- NTNo shortage
- QLDNo shortage
- SANo shortage
- TASNo shortage
- VICNo shortage
- WANo shortage
State and territory nomination
For the 190 and 491, each state and territory also has its own occupation list.
Common questions
What does a Music Director do?
Conducts choirs, orchestras, bands, ensembles, opera companies and musical performances. This occupation requires high levels of creative talent or personal commitment and interest as well as, or in place of, formal qualifications or experience. (ABS ANZSCO description.)
Is Music Director on the skilled occupation list?
Yes. Music Director (ANZSCO 211212) is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) (lists in force from 14 December 2024). It is listed for the 186, 189, 190, 482, 491 and 494 visas.
What is the ANZSCO code for Music Director?
211212. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.
How can a Music Director migrate to Australia?
The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Music Director for the Subclass 186, Subclass 189, Subclass 190, Subclass 482, Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 visas. Being on a list is one requirement among several; each visa's page links to Home Affairs for the rest.
Who assesses Music Director for an Australian visa?
VETASSESS, the skills assessing authority listed for 211212.
Is Music Director in demand in Australia?
Jobs and Skills Australia rated it "No shortage" nationally in its 2025 Occupation Shortage List, with ratings for each state and territory shown above.