Singers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Singers entertain by singing songs.
Specialisations: Band Singer, Chorister, Commercial Singer (Advertising), Jazz Singer, Opera Singer, Pop Singer, Rock Singer.
A high level of vocal skill is needed to work as a Singer. Some workers also have a university or Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in music.
Tasks
-
Studies and rehearses repertoire and musical scores prior to performances.
-
Plays music in recitals, as an accompanist, or as a member of an orchestra, band or other musical group, from score and by memory.
-
Performs music and songs according to interpretation, direction and style of presentation, using highly developed aural skills to reproduce music.
Characteristics
-
University
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
-
Informal or on-the-job
-
Creative
-
Enterprising
-
Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Music Professionals, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 30% of people employed as Singers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 36 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
-
Most Singers work in the Arts and recreation services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Singers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 38.6 | 31.6 |
VIC | 26.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 21.1 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 6.8 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.3 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.6 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.4 | 1.9 |
-
Around 73% of Singers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
New South Wales has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
-
The median age of Singers is 40 years. This is the same as the all jobs average.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Females make up 55% of the workforce. This is 7 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Singers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 4.2 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 9.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 23.4 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 23.7 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 21.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 5.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.0 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 6.8 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 40 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A high level of vocal skill is needed to work as a Singer. Some workers also have a university or Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in music.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Creative Arts and Culture VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Singers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 10.4 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 25.1 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 14.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 9.2 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 24.1 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 4.7 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 12.2 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Music Professionals who have strong interpersonal skills, can communicate well with diverse audiences and work independently.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
46%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
41%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
41%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
41%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
39%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
37%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
37%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
37%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
-
37%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
34%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
34%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
32%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
32%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
-
30%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
29%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
-
27%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
-
25%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
64%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
-
52%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
51%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
49%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
47%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
45%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
40%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
39%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
38%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
34%
Philosophy and theologyPhilosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and impact on society.
-
31%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
28%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
24%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
19%
History and archeologyEvents of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
-
19%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
-
18%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
15%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
-
14%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
12%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
11%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
57%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
54%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
54%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
-
50%
MemorizationRemember things like words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
-
50%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
-
48%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
48%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
-
45%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
43%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
-
41%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
41%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
39%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
39%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
39%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
-
38%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
38%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
36%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
27%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
27%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
58%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
55%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
-
54%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
53%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
50%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
48%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
47%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
46%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
-
45%
Managing payments and ordersMonitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
-
43%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
41%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
40%
Providing office supportDoing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.
-
40%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
-
39%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
39%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
38%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
38%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
38%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
-
35%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
28%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
100%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
62%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
38%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
24%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
14%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
14%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
Values
-
86%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
76%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
62%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
-
60%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
57%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
29%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Demands
-
83%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
82%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
80%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
78%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
76%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
73%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
72%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
71%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
69%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
68%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
66%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
64%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
64%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
63%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
62%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
62%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
61%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
-
58%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
58%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
57%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 27-2042.01 - Singers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.