Course Overview

About This Course

This 1-year full time music course (with flexible part-time options available) will give you all the foundational theory, aural and performance skills to kick-start your career as a performing musician. You will spend the majority of class time playing your instrument, developing your technique, knowledge of harmony and skills in improvisation and performance. Students will learn from some of Australia's finest jazz educators and performers to develop the necessary skills to become a successful musician in the music industry. JMI's faculty includes winners of the National Jazz Awards, performers who have extensively toured nationally and internationally, appeared regularly on television plus more. JMI students are exposed to many performing opportunities throughout the course, performing at a variety of venues, events and festivals gaining invaluable real-world experience. Students also get exposed to plenty of jam sessions and networking opportunities with current industry professionals.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Brisbane

1/47 Brookes Street, Bowen Hills, QLD 4006

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Applicants must complete an audition, including a Repertoire Performance, Scales & Arpeggios, and Theory & Aural Exam (up to 30 minutes in total)
Instrumentalists (brass, woodwind, bass, guitar, piano): Perform 1 piece from List A (Blues) and 1 piece from List B (Standards); perform the melody, play the arpeggios through the chord changes, take an improvised solo and perform the melody to finish
Vocalists: Perform 2 pieces from List B (Standards); sing the melody, take a 1-chorus scat solo or vocalise, then sing the melody to finish; play the root notes to the chord changes on piano while singing the melody
Drummers: Perform 1 piece from List A (Blues) with a swing feel and 'Blue Bossa' with a Bossa Nova feel; play time and trade 4s with the JMI staff piano player
Instrumentalists scales: Major scales in the keys of C, F, G, D, A, Bb, Eb; Major, Dominant 7th & Minor 7th arpeggios in the keys of C, F, G, D, A, Bb, Eb
Vocalists scales: Sing Major scales in three keys of choice; sing Major, Dominant 7th and Minor 7th arpeggios in 1 key of choice
Drummers scales: Major scales in the keys of G, C, F & Bb on the piano at their own tempo; perform either Solo 1 or 2 from The All American Drummers (Wilcoxon, C.)
Theory & Aural Exam: Basic rhythmic construction (quarter and eighth notes, and rests); write major scales up to four flats/sharps; write major, minor, augmented, and diminished triads; write out the Circle of 4ths/5ths
Aural Exam: Distinguish between major and minor triads; major, minor and dominant seventh chords; distinguish between major and minor seconds; perfect fifths and octaves; major thirds and perfect fourths
English Language Proficiency: A Pass in Year 12 English (Senior School Certificate); OR previous study in a VET course at Diploma level or above either complete or incomplete (Statement of Attainment); OR previous study in a Higher Education course at Bachelor level or above either complete or incomplete (Academic Transcript); OR a score of 6.0 on an IELTS test; OR an overall score of 150 or better on the QTAC STAT test
No formal music education is required for admission; some prospective students may gain entry through completing AMEB grades, an Advanced Diploma, Diploma or other courses in music, whilst some prospective students may have no formal training but display an aptitude for performance

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Students will develop the necessary skills to become a successful musician in the music industry. Students who successfully complete the Diploma of Music in Jazz Performance will be able to articulate directly into the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance program, receiving 80 credit points towards the 240 credit point degree program.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

ASQA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units14 units

11107

Concert Performance Practice 1

Core unit, 3 credit points

11108

Concert Performance Practice 2

Core unit, 3 credit points

11113

Ensemble 1

Core unit, 5 credit points

11114

Ensemble 2

Core unit, 5 credit points

11145

Principal Study 1

Core unit, 12 credit points; individual lessons with instrumental teacher

11146

Principal Study 2

Core unit, 12 credit points; individual lessons with instrumental teacher

12101

Aural and Analysis 1

Core unit, 5 credit points; listening and transcription skills

12102

Aural and Analysis 2

Core unit, 5 credit points; listening and transcription skills

12131

Jazz in Context 1

Core unit, 5 credit points; jazz history

12132

Jazz in Context 2

Core unit, 5 credit points; jazz history

12133

Jazz Materials 1

Core unit, 5 credit points; music theory

12134

Jazz Materials 2

Core unit, 5 credit points; music theory

13119

Improvisation Techniques 1

Core unit, 5 credit points

13120

Improvisation Techniques 2

Core unit, 5 credit points

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Diploma of Music in Jazz Performance an accredited course?

Yes, the Diploma of Music in Jazz Performance course is currently accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency and is recognised under Level 5 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.

How much does the Diploma of Music in Jazz Performance cost for domestic students in 2026?

For domestic students in 2026, the fee per credit point is $280, with course fees per semester of $11,200, making total course fees $22,400. Eligible domestic students can defer their fees to a HELP debt through FEE-HELP.

What pathways are available after completing the Diploma of Music in Jazz Performance?

Students who successfully complete the Diploma of Music in Jazz Performance will be able to articulate directly into the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance program, receiving 80 credit points towards the 240 credit point degree program.

Is this course available to international students?

Yes, this course is CRICOS approved and available for international students to study on a student visa. The CRICOS course code is 0100198. For 2026, the fee per credit point is $437.50, with average course fees per semester of $17,500 and average total course fees of $35,000.

What does the audition process for the Diploma of Music in Jazz Performance involve?

The audition process involves three components: a Repertoire Performance (performed with a JMI staff rhythm section in-person or with a backing track online), Scales & Arpeggios, and a Theory & Aural Exam. The entire process takes up to 30 minutes. Requirements vary depending on whether you are an instrumentalist, vocalist, or drummer. For example, instrumentalists perform one piece from the Blues repertoire list and one from the Standards list, while vocalists perform two pieces from the Standards list and also play root notes to chord changes on piano.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $45,000 to $65,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $65,000 to $85,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $85,000 to $120,000 per year

Career Paths

Music ProducerRecording Artist / PerformerAudio / Sound EngineerSongwriter and ComposerMusic Director

Key Skills

Live music performance and stagecraftStudio recording, mixing, and masteringMusic composition and arrangementProficiency in Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and Pro ToolsSongwriting and lyrical development

Full Course Overview

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Diploma of Music in Jazz Performance

About This Course

Available Locations

Entry Requirements

Where this takes you

Accreditation & Migration

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

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