Established in 1964, The Australian Ballet School is Australia's national centre for vocational classical dance training. Located at the Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre in Melbourne, the School offers full-time vocational programs, part-time training, community classes, early learning programs, and holiday intensives for students across Australia and internationally.
The Australian Ballet School was established in 1964 by Dame Margaret Scott and envisioned by Dame Peggy van Praagh. It is a registered charity and Registered Training Organisation located at the Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre in Melbourne’s arts precinct. The school has more than 100 full-time students from across Australia and neighbouring countries and maintains an independent legal status from The Australian Ballet.
The school offers an eight-level program combining studio dance training with academic classroom studies. Full-time vocational training begins at Level 4 and includes classical ballet, pointe studies, contemporary dance, character dance, body conditioning, and academic subjects. Levels 5 and 6 comprise a two-year Diploma of Professional Dance studied alongside year 10 and 11 academic work. The school also operates a Public Program for students aged 3 to 21 without audition requirements, an Intra/Interstate & International Training Program for students aged approximately 9 to 14, and a boarding program at Marilyn Rowe House.
Students participate in two annual performance seasons at Arts Centre Melbourne, one interstate performance, and senior students perform in The Australian Ballet’s National Tour. The school offers early learning programs, school holiday intensives, and masterclasses nationally.
The Australian Ballet School is Australia’s national centre for vocational classical dance, established in 1964. Founded by Dame Margaret Scott and envisioned by Dame Peggy van Praagh, it is a registered charity, Registered Training Organisation, and CRICOS registered provider. The School is independent from The Australian Ballet with its own legal status, staff, finances and Board, though maintains a long relationship with the company. It has more than 100 full-time students from across Australia and neighbouring countries.
The Australian Ballet School is located at 2 Kavanagh Street, Southbank, Victoria 3006, Australia. The School’s facilities are at the Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre in Melbourne’s arts precinct, adjacent to Arts Centre Melbourne. The School also operates Marilyn Rowe House boarding accommodation in Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
The Australian Ballet School offers full-time vocational dance training through an eight-level program combining studio dance training and academic classroom studies, an Intra/Interstate & International Training Program, a Boarding Program, community classes, early learning programs, school holiday intensives for all abilities, masterclasses nationally, and a Public Program that does not require audition. The School is a Registered Training Organisation offering accredited courses including the Diploma of Professional Dance.
Students from across Australia and neighbouring countries can join the School’s programs. The Public Program is open without audition to male and female students from 3 to 21 years old. Full-time vocational training programs and the ITP require audition. The School welcomes auditions from dancers of all cultures and orientations and gives all dancers equal consideration. International students can access accredited full-time courses and boarding accommodation.
The Australian Ballet School caters to students from 3 to 21 years old. Early Learning courses are for 3 and 4 year olds, children’s courses for Prep to Grade 6, Winter School for ages 9 to 16, Summer School for ages 6 to 21, ITP for approximately 9 to 13/14 years, and the Full-Time Program beginning at Level 4. There is no defined standard or prior experience expected for younger applicants, though Full-Time Program applicants are expected to have had some form of ballet training.
The School offers scholarships and awards to gifted young dancers on the basis of merit and achievement, and regularly contributes to national and international competitions. The School provides financial support through bursaries, scholarships and VET Student Loans. Many ITP students have joined the Full-Time Program and later gained contracts with The Australian Ballet and other ballet companies in Australia and around the world. Senior students perform in The Australian Ballet’s annual National Tour.
The Australian Ballet School follows a curriculum that is unique to the School. The eight-level program combines studio dance training and academic classroom studies. The curriculum includes Classical Ballet, Pointe Studies, Contemporary Dance, Character Dance, Performance Studies, Body Conditioning, Injury Prevention, Anatomy, Performance Psychology, Nutrition, Dance History, and Music. Classes in the Public Program include live piano accompaniment with specialist ballet pianists.
The Australian Ballet School presents two performance seasons annually at Arts Centre Melbourne and one interstate. Senior students perform in The Australian Ballet’s annual National Tour. The School offers Open Masterclasses held in several major cities throughout Australia. The School regularly contributes to national and international awards and competitions including Prix de Lausanne, Asian Grand Prix, Youth America Grand Prix, and numerous other ballet competitions and awards.
For general enquiries, auditions, and masterclasses, phone +61 3 9669 2807 or email ask@australianballetschool.com.au. For media and performance enquiries, email communications@australianballetschool.com.au. For donations and development enquiries, phone +61 9669 2854 or email development@australianballetschool.com.au. For Marilyn Rowe House, phone +61 3 9380 1862.