The Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) (CUA51520) is a nationally recognised, AQF Level 5 vocational qualification delivered by registered training organisations (RTOs) and specialist performing arts institutions across Australia. It is designed for aspiring dancers who are committed to pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, providing advanced training in technique, artistry, choreography, improvisation, and both solo and ensemble performance. The course caters to a broad range of dance styles including ballet, contemporary dance, musical theatre, commercial jazz, hip hop, and circus arts, making it highly versatile across the performing arts sector. Students are immersed in a full-time, studio-intensive learning environment that closely mirrors the demands of professional performance work.

The qualification bridges the gap between recreational dance training and entry into the professional dance industry. It builds on skills typically developed at Certificate IV level and prepares graduates for pre-professional and professional dancer roles. Some providers also embed business skills, health and wellbeing content, and audition technique to ensure graduates are industry-ready from day one. Students may choose to specialise in either a choreographic or performance stream, tailoring their training to specific career goals. Employers who engage graduates from this course include professional ballet and contemporary dance companies, musical theatre productions, television and film production companies, cruise ship entertainment agencies, theme parks, commercial entertainment companies, and dance studios.

The minimum academic entry requirement for the Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) is completion of Year 10 secondary schooling or its equivalent. Some providers, particularly those offering ballet-focused pathways, expect applicants to have completed Year 11 or Year 12. Many RTOs also require students to have previously completed a Certificate IV in Dance or to demonstrate equivalent competency before enrolment in the Diploma. Applicants who have not completed Year 12 or an equivalent qualification may be asked to undertake an approved literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment.

The most critical entry requirement for this qualification is a successful audition. All applicants are required to attend an audition — or provide equivalent evidence — demonstrating competence in at least one dance style at AQF Level 4 or above. Auditions are used to assess technical proficiency, physical suitability, artistry, and potential, and are typically held on-campus at the training provider's studio facilities. Selectors consider the applicant's aptitude for vocational training, which may include factors such as physical conditioning, musicality, and ability to receive and apply instruction. Age may also be taken into consideration given the physical demands and career timeline of the professional dance industry.

For international applicants, standard English language proficiency requirements apply. Overseas students seeking a student visa are typically required to demonstrate Vocational English competency, which may be evidenced through IELTS scores or equivalent tests as set by the individual provider. Some providers note that on-campus delivery for international students on student visas may be restricted, and prospective international students should confirm current arrangements directly with their chosen institution. No government licensing or certification requirements apply to the qualification itself at the time of publication, although individual units of competency within the course may carry their own regulatory requirements.