Preparing for portfolio careers in Australian music - setting a research agenda

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine

Australian musicians increasingly sustain portfolio careers by combining multiple employment arrangements and activities, often extending beyond music industry sectors. This pattern is widespread yet insufficiently understood due to constraints in existing research, leaving gaps in knowledge about musicians’ work and career development. Without this evidence, Australia risks misaligned policy, funding, initial training, and ongoing career support across the diverse music sector. The article reviews relevant research and proposes a targeted agenda to guide further study and better connect sustainable-career needs with education and training.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

The Australian music sector and its labour force

Global music industry context

Creative and cultural industries framework

Measuring the music workforce

Preparing for portfolio careers in Australian music: setting a research agenda Brydie-Leigh Bartleet Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Dawn Bennett Curtin University Ruth Bridgstock Queensland University of Technology Paul Draper, Scott Harrison, Huib Schippers Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Abstract In the twenty-first century, Australian musicians increasingly maintain ‘portfolio’ careers, in which they combine diverse employment arrangements and activities. Often, these incorporate industry sectors outside of music. This career pattern is widespread but not well understood, largely because of the limitations of existing research. The lack of knowledge about musicians’ work and careers means that Australia currently may not provide appropriate and effective policy, funding, initial training and continuing career support across the diverse music sector. This article discusses existing research relating to the careers and skilling needs of musicians in Australia, and outlines a targeted agenda for further research that has the potential to inform stronger alignment between the requirements of building sustainable music careers and musicians’ education and training. Key words: potfolio careers, music education and training, music industry. Australian Journal of Music Education 2012:1, 32-41 Introduction Although the word conservatorio as a place for learning music goes back to sixteenth century Italy, the establishment of most early conservatoires took place at the beginning of the nineteenth century when the demands of European classical music (especially orchestral repertoire) warranted dedicated virtuoso training (Abeles et al., 1995, pp. 6-9) . But what capabilities do musicians need in order build vibrant, sustainable careers in twenty-first-century Australia? Are they still the same? How can higher education contribute to the development of these capabilities? In order to answer such questions it is imperative to review recent survey and census-based research into the Australian music labour force, especially regarding what is known about the distinctive portfolio career patterns of professional musicians, and the key challenges they face in building a music career. Considering the implications of these challenges for the professional development of musicians, it is possible to outline structural, policy and professional learning support conducive 32 2012, No. 1 to supporting this new reality. This assists in constructing an agenda for targeted research to address the significant gaps in knowledge relating to musicians’ career patterns, roles, contributions and skills. Promoting a deeper understanding of key elements in the Australian music sector’s cultural and economic fabric in this way yields the potential to improve sectoral health and vitality. Tertiary music education is a key player in this‘musical ecosystem’. The Australian music sector and its labour force In 2010, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI, 2012) estimated the global music industry to be worth US$168 billion, up from $132 billion in 2005, in spite of the collapse of the conventional record industry. Whilst the IFPI data categories had changed slightly between the two data collections, the figures clearly indicate increased activity. This increase aligns with economic reports from several countries including the UK, US and Australia, all of which suggest increased household expenditure on entertainment. Although these positive reports indicate multiple new opportunities for musicians, they must be considered alongside trends that are fundamentally changing the way in which musicians ‘do business’ within the music, creative and cultural sectors. The full range of music activities and industries that make up the Australian music sector is estimated to represent a turnover in excess of seven billion dollars a year (Music Council of Australia, 2009; cf Guldbe

FAQs

Why are portfolio careers in Australian music difficult to study?

The article attributes limited understanding to constraints in existing research and to measurement gaps in data sources such as national censuses that capture only the main income source for respondents.

What problem does the article highlight for Australian policy and support?

Insufficient knowledge about musicians’ work and careers can lead to inappropriate and ineffective policy, funding, training, and continuing career support across the music sector.

What does the article propose to improve future understanding?

It outlines a targeted agenda for further research, intended to strengthen alignment between the requirements of building sustainable music careers and musicians’ education and training.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine