View entire study abroad journey

Study Animation Courses in Australia

Topics covered

Bring your career to life by getting your animation qualification in Australia.

Remember when you told your parents you wanted to work as an animator, and they suggested a ‘safe’ career option (like doctor or engineer)? But it’s an in-demand career that can get you employment, and Australian PR.

In contemporary business, there’s a convergence of the arts and marketing. Use of storytelling and animation is becoming more widely accepted for messaging in the corporate world. Things like biomedical animation are a great way of delivering information to patients or students. Virtual reality and visual effects are becoming a bigger part of problem solving and our everyday lives. And marketing and advertisers know that animation, gamification, and creative content can sell a product or service more than traditional approaches.

The animation industry is a fast-paced, growing sector, and it has a place for you.

Animators are used in many industries and roles, and there’s room for progression and development as you go.

Roles could include:

3D artist/ animator: Average salary: AU$55,000 - $110,000
Visual effects artist: Average salary AU$60,000 - $110,000
Character designer: Average salary AU$60,000 - $110,000
Game designer: Average salary: AU$60,000 - $100,000
Broadcast designer: Average salary AU$60,000 - $110,000
Motion graphic designer: Average salary AU$60,000 - $110,000
Art / creative director: Average salary AU$100,000 - $160,000
Concept Artist: Average salary AU$60,000 - $110,000

There are roles available in different industries too, it’s not limited to Pixar:

Film and television
Gaming
Advertising
Media and communications

Why Study Animation in Australia?

Animators, as a career, have steady employment levels. Those with higher levels of education, greater levels of talent, more experience, or a director’s eye, will have more options and higher pay brackets.

Art-based careers are well respected in Australia. The Australian government invests heavily in the creative sector, and there are plenty of varied opportunities for work.

Studying animation in Australia means you have a pathway into employment and developing a career, and then to permanent residency. Australia is home to well-respected studios such as Kapow Pictures, Animal Logic, and Flux Animation Studios. Perhaps the most famous animation from Australia is every parent’s saviour; the much-loved, wholesome, and endlessly relatable Bluey.

Top Animation Courses in Australia

Once you have your undergrad bachelor degree, RMIT provides this two year Master of Animation course that will help you turn your animation dreams into real life. With a focus on developing directorial vision, there’s an underpinning of storytelling in games, animation, or interactive media. It allows you to focus on your specialisation while growing your professional network.

Bachelor of Animation Production at UTS

This three year animation production course at University of Technology Sydney pushes the boundaries in 2D and 3D animation, VFX design, and studio practices. It gives context to learning, with a broad background of historical and theoretical contexts that underpin today’s contemporary productions. There are also links to the Animal Logic Academy, a unique opportunity for student to specialise in real life productions.

Diploma of 3D Design and Animation at Torrens University

This 18 month course at Torrens builds a foundation of 3D principles and practices. It can set you up for a basic role in the industry, or as a springboard to furthering your education. You’ll be working in the industry with work placements, gaining experience and making connections from day one.

How to Turn Your Animation Education into a Pathway to Australia

While studying in Australia, you will need the student visa (500). This allows you to live in Australia for the time you’re studying, working for up to 20 hours a week to gain experience and industry contacts. Then, transition to a temporary graduate visa (485). This allows you to stay and live in Australia for up to two years. While it’s designed to allow you to find appropriate work, you can work in any industry for this period.

Then, you’ll need to start applying for roles. The role ‘multimedia specialist’, ANZCO 261211 is the name of the role on the skills shortage list. You’ll need to meet criteria, which includes having a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in the field, and maybe a skills assessment through the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

You can then apply for one of the following visas:

Contact IDP for Assistance

If you’re still unsure if this is the right career and education for you, contact us. We have had years of experience connecting people with their dream courses, and helping them establish themselves in their new country. Whether it’s choosing your course, provider, or visa assistance we can help you along the way.

Enquire now