Diploma of Music Business

The Diploma of Music Business at The Australian Institute of Music is a one-year qualification for people who want to work on the business side of the music industry, the deals, the releases, the touring, the marketing, the money. You study how records get made and sold, how artists get booked, how copyright and royalties actually work in Australia, and how to run a project from idea to launch. It is not a performance degree. You are learning the machinery behind the songs.

As a diploma, this sits at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework, below a bachelor degree. It is typically delivered over two semesters or three trimesters, depending on the intake, and is made up of units of study, each carrying credit points. Assessment is usually a mix of assignments, group projects, presentations and practical work rather than a single final exam. Because it is a diploma, it is shorter and more applied than a three-year bachelor degree. If you later want to upgrade, credit from a diploma can often be counted towards a related bachelor degree, though how much credit you receive is decided by the receiving institution and you should confirm that in writing before you enrol.

You will build skills in artist management, live music promotion, music marketing and social media, distribution and streaming, contract basics, and financial planning for creative projects. Group work is common because the industry runs on collaboration, you will likely work on simulated or real releases, pitch ideas, and present to peers and industry guests. Some units may include work-integrated learning or industry placement, which is where you get to see how a label, booking agency, venue or management company operates day to day. The Australian music industry is small and connected, and Sydney in particular has a dense network of labels, publishers, venues and agencies, so the contacts you make during the diploma can matter as much as the grades.

This course suits school leavers who want an industry entry point without committing to three years, career changers moving from another field, and musicians who want to understand the business side of their own work. International students should note that the Student visa allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight while your course is in session, and after graduating you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, subject to the Department of Home Affairs requirements in force at the time. Entry usually requires completion of Year 12 or equivalent, and international applicants need to meet English proficiency requirements. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 118155A. Check the official page for current entry requirements, intake dates, unit structure and fees before you apply.

• Artist manager or assistant manager, working with musicians on bookings, releases and day-to-day decisions, often at a management company or as a freelancer.
• Music marketing and social media coordinator, running campaigns for labels, distributors or artists across streaming platforms and social channels.
• Label assistant or A&R coordinator, supporting signing, release scheduling and artist development at an independent or major label.
• Live music promoter or booking assistant, helping put together gigs, tours and festival line-ups with venues and agencies.
• Publishing and royalties administrator, tracking copyright, registrations and payments through Australian collecting societies and publishers.
• Tour coordinator or production assistant, logistics, scheduling and on-the-road support for touring acts.
• Music distribution and streaming support, getting releases onto platforms and managing metadata and reporting.
• Venue or festival operations assistant, programming, ticketing and event delivery.

Employers include record labels, music publishers, booking and management agencies, live venues and festivals, streaming and distribution companies, artist services businesses, and community arts organisations across Australia. Some graduates go on to further study, such as a bachelor degree in music business or a related field, to move into more senior roles.