First Nations Traineeship

Our Company

The Australian Ballet is one of the world’s leading ballet companies and a globally recognised Australian national performing arts organisation. Each year the company presents upwards of 220 performances through its main stage seasons in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth; along with public programs, special events, an extensive regional tour, a Children’s Ballet and Education programs and regular overseas tours.

The Australian Ballet delivers a range of education programs each year including in-schools, partnership, and public programs. Dance Educators will work in a range of venues, schools, and community spaces with young people with varied dance experience and with those that face social, geographical, and financial challenges.

Role Highlights

• 2 x Fixed Term Contract – 16 Weeks
• Dates negotiable to work around study and other commitments
• Full-time
• 37.5 hours a week
• Significant Touring (including to regional areas)
• Travel, accommodation & per diems covered when away from hometown.

What you’ll be doing:

• A multidisciplinary dance-based program that provides young First Nations artists with the chance to bring dance experiences to communities across Australia.
• Paid work experience within our Education and Outreach team that can be tailored to suit the skills and career aspirations of the trainees
• Take part in training related to community engagement and teaching strategies
• Learn sections of the two Education performances (An adapted ballet by Paul Knobloch/ a contemporary duet by a First Nations-led team)
• Access to mentorship from First Nations artists (such as Ella Havelka & Tristan Field), and other dancers and staff from The Australian Ballet
• Work cooperatively to plan and deliver lessons supported by the Education & Outreach team.

What experience you’ll need:

• Trainees must be of First Nations descent and recently graduated from (or currently in) performing arts training.
• Excellent communication skills and respond promptly to correspondence.
• Basic understanding of safe dance practice
• Most importantly, demonstrate capacity as a team player and a suitable role model for young people.
• Experience or willingness to tour, including to regional remote towns
• Willing to get a Police Check and a Working with Children Check (This can be done once employed).

To Apply

Please apply by providing a cover letter, brief resume and a short dance video to learning @australianballet.com.au

• The cover letter should outline your interest in the role and what you hope to achieve in your traineeship (you may submit your cover letter as a recorded video if you prefer).
• The resume should outline your training and dance experience. This can be short and could be combined with your cover letter.
• The video should demonstrate a high level of technical dance ability - please note that this does not need to be ballet.

Employee Benefits:

• Complimentary ballet tickets
• Discounted onsite parking (Melbourne)
• LinkedIn Learning with La Trobe University
• A world class architecturally designed open plan head office in Southbank, Melbourne.
• Generous partner discounts and offers

Employee Wellbeing:

• Access to dances classes when in Melbourne, and gym/Pilates/physio in Melbourne and on tour.
• Employee Assistance Program – free confidential advice and counselling services

Diversity and Inclusion

As Australia’s National Ballet Company, we are deeply committed to cultivating and sustaining an organisation that is equitable, fair and inclusive. Our aim is to become a truly inclusive organisation with a workforce that reflects Australia today. This is fundamental to The Australian Ballet’s future success and our ability to continue to contribute to culture and society in Australia. We embrace diversity both on and off stage. The range of perspectives and experience diversity brings is an asset to our organisation and all those who work with us. We have developed a Diversity and Inclusion Plan and Reconciliation Action Plan to enable us to meet our diversity and inclusion aims, and our commitment to First Nation communities.

Our Values

Ambition | Boldness | Inclusivity | Respect | Responsibility