The Master of Contemporary Art Practices is a postgraduate degree designed for practising artists who wish to deepen their independent art practice within a structured academic environment. The program extends students' practical, theoretical, and conceptual knowledge, developing a richer understanding of how contemporary artists work across a range of disciplines. Students engage in hands-on learning in workshop, studio, and digital environments, and are supported through practice-led research opportunities that encourage specialist knowledge of materials, testing of new conceptual methodologies, and cross-disciplinary or hybrid experiences. The course typically runs for one to two years full-time and may be offered as a standard or advanced (research-intensive) stream.

The program is aimed at a diverse student body including recent fine arts graduates seeking to elevate their professional practice, mid-career artists returning to formal study for new direction, and internationally trained artists looking to situate their work within the Australian contemporary art context. Students develop individual studio projects, participate in seminars, engage with critical theory, and are guided by academic advisors to produce new, distinctive bodies of work ready for exhibition or production. Employers and professional contexts for graduates span public galleries, artist-run initiatives, cultural institutions, arts organisations, universities, design agencies, and the independent freelance sector.

This degree bridges undergraduate study and fully independent professional art practice, preparing graduates for exhibition, residency applications, collaborations, grants, and awards. It also serves as a pathway to higher-level research degrees such as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Graduates contribute to Australia's national contemporary art sector as practising artists, curators, educators, arts administrators, and creative industry professionals.

Most Australian universities offering a Master of Contemporary Art Practices require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline, or to demonstrate substantial relevant professional experience — typically at least five to six years of documented work in a field related to art practice. Some programs accept applicants who hold a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline alongside a minimum GPA, while others may consider applicants with recognised outstanding ability even without a completed undergraduate degree, provided they can demonstrate academic writing capability and significant professional experience. Admission is competitive, and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee entry.

A portfolio of artworks is central to the application process and is assessed to demonstrate the applicant's working knowledge of contemporary art practices. Supporting materials typically required include a CV or résumé, a Statement of Purpose, a Statement of Competency, and an image list or artist statement contextualising the submitted works. Shortlisted applicants are generally required to attend an interview with academic staff, during which they discuss their proposed area of practice and research interests.

For international students, English language proficiency must be demonstrated through an approved test such as IELTS (typically a minimum overall score of 6.5), TOEFL (79), PTE (58), or Cambridge Advanced (176), or through completion of prior study taught entirely in English. Some programs accept entry in Semester 1 only for international students. Domestic applicants who may not meet standard academic entry criteria may be considered through alternative access pathways offered by individual universities.