Other Actors, Dancers and Entertainers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Other Actors, Dancers and Entertainers includes jobs like Circus Trainer, Disc Jockey (Nightclub), Extra (Film or Television), Motivational Speaker, Public Speaker, and Stunt Performer.
Tasks
-
Learns lines, speeches and cues.
-
Prepares for performances through rehearsals under the instruction and guidance of production directors.
-
Acts parts and portrays roles as developed in rehearsals.
-
Performs acts, stunts or plays music for audience's entertainment.
-
Gives speeches to audiences at conferences and other events.
-
Creates and performs individual performance routines.
-
Rehearses, auditions and travels between venues.
Characteristics
-
University
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
-
Informal or on-the-job
-
Creative
-
Enterprising
-
Light
-
Very Heavy
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, Actors, Dancers and Other Entertainers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 29% of people employed as Other Actors, Dancers and Entertainers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 37 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 48 hours per week in their main job. This is 4 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
-
Other Actors, Dancers and Entertainers work in industries like:
- Arts and recreation services
- Education and training
- Accommodation and food services
- Information media and telecommunications.
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 | Other Actors, Dancers and Entertainers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 33.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 26.4 | 25.6 |
QLD | 21.9 | 20.0 |
SA | 4.3 | 7.0 |
WA | 8.5 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.5 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.8 | 1.0 |
ACT | 2.8 | 1.9 |
-
Around 66% of Other Actors, Dancers and Entertainers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
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 Other Actors, Dancers and Entertainers is 36 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 44% of the workforce. This is 4 percentage points below 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 | Other Actors, Dancers and Entertainers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 10.2 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 15.4 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 22.1 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 19.4 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 16.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 7.1 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 5.1 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 36 | 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 performance skill is needed to work as an Other Actor, Dancer or Entertainer. Some workers also have formal qualifications. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
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 | Other Actors, Dancers and Entertainers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 7.6 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 25.2 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 14.0 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 13.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 27.7 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 4.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 7.9 | 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 Actors, Dancers and Other Entertainers who have strong people skills, can communicate well with diverse audiences and are reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
59%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
55%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
52%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
52%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
52%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
48%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
48%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
48%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
45%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
43%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
-
43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
39%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
39%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
39%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
36%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
36%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
-
34%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
-
25%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
-
23%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
83%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
-
67%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
54%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
51%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
45%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
-
41%
Philosophy and theologyPhilosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and impact on society.
-
37%
History and archeologyEvents of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
-
37%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
30%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
26%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
26%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
24%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
-
23%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
23%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
22%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
-
19%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
-
17%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
14%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
14%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
13%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
66%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
61%
MemorizationRemember things like words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
-
59%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
59%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
52%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
52%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
-
52%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
-
50%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
-
46%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
-
46%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
46%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
46%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
45%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
39%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
39%
Whole body coordinationMove your arms, legs, and body together.
-
38%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
36%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
87%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
83%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
-
79%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
68%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
63%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
58%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
-
58%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
57%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
57%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
57%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
56%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
56%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
-
54%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
54%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
52%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
-
47%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
46%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
44%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
43%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
43%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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.
-
95%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
67%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
43%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
38%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
24%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
19%
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.
-
81%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
67%
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.
-
67%
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.
-
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
-
93%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
92%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
92%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
87%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
85%
Public speakingTalk to a group of people.
-
85%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
83%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
78%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
77%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
71%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
70%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
70%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
70%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
70%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
67%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
66%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
63%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
62%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
59%
Bright or inadequate lightingWork in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
-
53%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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, 27-2011.00 - Actors.
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.