Classes are practical, providing you with a hands-on approach to learning. Throughout the course, you will apply your skills to live performance and film projects, collaborating with students from other creative disciplines across NIDA. The course includes placement on student productions which are at the heart of NIDA’s calendar year.

As a key part of the course, you will also undertake an industry placement, enabling you to develop networks and pursue an area of specialisation.

2025 dates

Term 1             Monday 3 February – Friday 11 April
Term 2             Monday 28 April – Friday 4 July
Term 3             Monday 21 July – Friday 10 October

2024 dates

Term 1             Monday 5 February – Friday 12 April
Term 2             Monday 29 April – Friday 5 July
Term 3             Monday 22 July – Friday 11 October

Classes are scheduled 4 days per week, 9am–5pm.

The scheduling and delivery of this course each year is subject to minimum enrolment numbers.

Individual project

An individual project will take place in Term 3 where you will undergo a short placement at a venue or performing arts company.

The CUA50420 Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services course comprises the following units of competency:

• BSBLDR522 Manage people performance
• CPCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry
• BSBAUD514 Interpret compliance requirements
• CUAPPM431 Compile production schedules
• CUAPPM514 Manage bump in and bump out of shows
• CUALGT413 Set up and operate lighting cues and effects
• CUASOU414 Manage wireless audio operations
• CUALGT511 Realise lighting designs
• CUASOU506 Create a final sound balance
• CUAVSS502 Implement vision system design
• CUALGT512 Manage installation of lighting systems
• CUAIND412 Provide freelance services
• BSBPMG541 Manage complex projects
• CUAIND512 Enhance professional practice using creative arts industry knowledge
• CUAPPR515 Establish and maintain safe creative practice

The CUA50420 Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services has a number of valuable learning outcomes which will allow you to do the following:

• Develop skills to successfully and safely bump-in and bump-out shows
• Prepare to work as a part of a crew for live productions and events
• Develop problem-solving skills for a range of collaborative situations
• Develop autonomy in responding to lighting, sound and vision briefs
• Learn industry standard requirements regarding the use of lighting, sound and vision equipment.

To be eligible for entry to the CUA50420 Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services you must:

• Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen. This course does not accept international students.
• Have reached the age of 18 before the commencement of the course (in some circumstances NIDA may select candidates who turn 18 during their course).
• Have completed their Higher School Certificate or equivalent; ATAR is not required.
• Demonstrate a high level of practical ability, potential and motivation.
• Provide experience and training in at least one technical area: staging, lighting, sound or vision.
• Respond to workplace challenges and requirements in line with current industry standards.
• Have understandings acquired through work experience, or previous formal study.

We select applicants who:

• Are able to demonstrate technical production skills in at least one area of specialisation, such as:
  • lighting
  • audio
  • staging
  • vision systems.

• Exhibit a capacity to collaborate.
• Communicate effectively.
• Respond to direction and feedback.

There are five steps to applying:

STEP 1

New applicants: Create your application account here. You will be sent an automatic email with your login details to continue your application.

Returning applicants: If you have previously applied (in 2022-2023) and your email address already exists in the application system, you will not be able to create a new account. Please follow the link below to reset your password, using your email address as your User Login ID. Reset your password here.

STEP 2

Log in, select the green ‘New Application’ button and complete the online form.

You will be asked to submit your personal details, examples of previous experience and reasons for interest in this course.

STEP 3

Upload the following documentation to the online form:

• Evidence of your most recent qualification if you have one (e.g. a school report, Higher School Certificate, university transcript, statement of attainment).
• Proof of identification and citizenship (e.g. Australian passport, Australian driver’s licence, birth certificate. The scanned document needs to show your date of birth).
• A recent photograph (head and shoulders, in colour, well lit, plain background).
• One introduction/audition video as a link to an unlisted YouTube video.

STEP 4

Agree to the terms and conditions of application and click submit. You will receive a confirmation email when your submission is completed in full.

STEP 5

You will be contacted in early November regarding the outcome of your application and whether we are able to meet with you at a callback session. You will be provided with an opportunity to notify us of the best available date and time for your interview/callback, either face-to-face or via Zoom. To assist with your planning, we will publish suggested dates and times on the course page.

If we have invited you, please attend your callback session. Not everyone who submits a video will be invited to a callback.

• There are no application fees for 2025 applicants.
• Applications for 2025 intake of Diploma of Stage and Screen Performance and Diploma of Musical Theatre close on 16 September 2024 and Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) and Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services close on Monday 30 September 2024. NIDA may not be able to accept applications after this date, and late applicants may be required to pay a late submission fee of $75.00.
• There are a limited number of places available in each of our diploma courses. Selection is based on merit; not all applicants who meet the published entry requirements will receive a study offer.
• All applicants are required to review the course information, including the schedule of tuition fees, published on the course page.
• It is not possible to provide applicants with individual written or oral feedback on their audition.
• Applicants who receive a study offer for 2024 must accept the offer within the time frame indicated. It is not possible to defer a study offer at NIDA.
• NIDA encourages applications from people from diverse backgrounds, with different levels of experience in their chosen area of interest.

As part of your application, you are required to provide a link to a pre-recorded video interview.

Your video submission needs to be a short, one-minute introduction to camera, introducing yourself and explaining your experience.

Your video interview should be submitted as an unlisted YouTube video link, in the appropriate field of your application. You will only be able to upload one audition video.

Click HERE for instructions on how to upload an unlisted YouTube video.

See our how to apply page for more information around shooting your video – including sound, lighting, formatting & uploading.

Callback dates will be announced once 2025 applications open.

• All applicants will be notified regarding the outcome of their application status.
• Successful applicants will be contacted to arrange a suitable callback session.
• Callback dates will be advised via this course page.
• Callbacks may be conducted face-to-face or via Zoom in November.
• More information will be available here when applications close.

At the callback, you will:

• Detail your experience and training in at least one technical area: staging, lighting, sound or vision.
• Bring your application form outlining your previous training and/or experience.
• Provide us with a testimonial from a teacher, colleague or employer outlining why you would be a good candidate for the course.
• Undertake a written short-answer questionnaire.
• Participate in one or more group problem-solving tasks.

After the callback:

• If we are able to offer you a place on the course, we will contact you in December 2024 via phone and email to advise you of your course offer.
• You will be given a time period in which to accept or reject the course offer for the 2025 intake.

Recognition of Prior Learning is a process that involves assessment of an individual’s relevant prior learning to determine the credit outcomes of an individual application for credit.

NIDA may grant credit for:

• Formal study undertaken in recognised education institutions in Australia, including universities, colleges, TAFE and other post-secondary education institutions, and for study at recognised overseas institutions.
• Credentialed courses provided by recognised professional bodies, employers and other authorities, where appropriate certification is available.
• Prior learning, where such learning can be sufficiently evidenced.

The principles underlying the assessment of credit transfer/Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applications are that the policy and procedures are:

1. Aligned to the Higher Education Standards Framework and the Vocational Standards for RTOs.
2. Designed to maintain the integrity and reputation of NIDA’s accredited courses for which credit or RPL is applied and support the collaborative nature of NIDA’s conservatoire training model.
3. Consistent, equitable, transparent and accountable.
4. Based on processes of comparable standard and integrity to those used to assess the relevant subject.
5. That students are not disadvantaged in achieving the expected learning outcomes for the course of study or qualification.

NIDA Recognition of Prior Learning Policy

Apply for a Credit Transfer and/or RPL

Tuition fees for CUA50420 Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services

2025 full course fee: $15,447.00

DLPTS Fee Schedule 2025

VET Student Loans

NIDA is an approved VET Student Loans provider. Find out if you’re eligible here.

Centrelink

Eligible students, who are Australian residents, can apply to Centrelink for financial assistance through Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY. Visit Centrelink or call 132 490 for more information.

If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +61 (02) 9697 7516

Mail:
Vocational applications
NIDA
215 Anzac Parade
Kensington NSW 2033

Further information regarding NIDA’s vocational training products can be found at Training.gov.au

NIDA is registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) under the National Vocational Education and Regulator Act 2011 to deliver Vocational Education and Training (VET) services. NIDA is a NVR Registered Training Organisation (RTO): ID number 90349.

As a graduate of the NIDA CUA50420 Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services you have the skills and knowledge to be employed in a range of industries, including theatre, dance, opera, concerts, functions, ceremonies and events.

Potential careers include:

• Backstage crew member
• Sound operator
• Lighting operator
• Vision systems operator

See NIDA’s Alumni.