Art Director (Film, Television or Stage) (ANZSCO 212311)

    Updated

    What an Art Director (Film, Television or Stage) does

    Plans, organises and controls artistic aspects of film, television or stage productions. This occupation requires high levels of creative talent or personal commitment and interest as well as, or in place of, formal qualifications and experience.

    Also called
    Production Designer

    Key facts

    ANZSCO code
    212311
    Skill level
    1Bachelor degree or higher
    Visas that list it
    494
    Assessing authority
    VETASSESS
    National shortage
    No shortage

    Visa options

    Occupation eligibility is one requirement; each visa page links to the rest.

    Points-tested

    Employer-sponsored

    Main tasks

    • studying scripts and scenarios to determine theme and setting
    • assessing locations and staging requirements for productions in association with specialist designers
    • overseeing creative aspects of film, television, radio and stage productions
    • determining lighting, film, shutter angles, filter factors, camera distance, depth of field and focus, angles of view and other variables to achieve desired mood and effect
    • viewing film and video tape to evaluate and select scenes and determine which scenes need to be re-shot
    • planning and organising the preparation and presentation of programs
    • supervising the positioning of scenery, props and lighting and sound equipment
    • assessing technical requirements of productions by studying scripts and discussing program content, set locations and stage directions with production team
    • creating, planning, writing scripts for, recording, videotaping and editing programs

    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 an Art Director (Film, Television or Stage) do?

    Plans, organises and controls artistic aspects of film, television or stage productions. This occupation requires high levels of creative talent or personal commitment and interest as well as, or in place of, formal qualifications and experience. Also called: Production Designer. (ABS ANZSCO description.)

    Is Art Director (Film, Television or Stage) on the skilled occupation list?

    Yes. Art Director (Film, Television or Stage) (ANZSCO 212311) is on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) (lists in force from 14 December 2024). It is listed for the 494 visa.

    What is the ANZSCO code for Art Director (Film, Television or Stage)?

    212311. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.

    How can an Art Director (Film, Television or Stage) migrate to Australia?

    The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Art Director (Film, Television or Stage) for the Subclass 494 visa. Being on a list is one requirement among several; each visa's page links to Home Affairs for the rest.

    Who assesses Art Director (Film, Television or Stage) for an Australian visa?

    VETASSESS, the skills assessing authority listed for 212311.

    Is Art Director (Film, Television or Stage) 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.

    Sources

    1. 1Department of Home Affairs, skilled occupation listimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
    2. 2Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO – Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, 2022, CC BY 4.0abs.gov.au
    3. 3Jobs and Skills Australia, Occupation Shortage List, 2025 listjobsandskills.gov.au