Factsheets + guides

Includes ethical, legal and professional standards identified by the dance teaching profession in Australia.

Dance is a powerful space for self-expression, creativity, and growth. With more than 150,000 children participating in dance each week in Australia, organisations have a clear responsibility to protect their physical, emotional, and cultural wellbeing.

This factsheet provides national, cross-jurisdictional guidance to help dance organisations meet their obligations and embed child safety into every aspect of their practice. It was authored and approved in June 2025 by the Ausdance national network.

Contact Australian dance companies, dance-theatre groups, collectives and youth dance companies/groups.

These Safe Dance ® practice guidelines include how to set up a safe learning environment, what makes a practice or performance venue safe, the importance of cater for physical different bodies and abilities, how movements might impact on the body, and simple injury prevention and management strategies.

A checklist of skills, knowledge, considerations and practices that form the basis of good teaching methodology. Some are generic and apply to good teachers of any discipline, while others are specific to dance and artistic instruction.

Do the safe spaces checklist before you teach a dance class, lead a social dance event or give a dance performance.

To support the needs of dance and physical performance studios, companies and performers, Ausdance Victoria contacted major suppliers of dance floors in Australia for safety advice for studio owners.

How can I make my voice heard politically, and make a difference? This is a question often asked of Ausdance, whose job it is to inform and lobby politicians on behalf of its members. While at Ausdance we undertake these activities throughout the year, there are ways you can also have a voice, especially at a time of crisis such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How do you value dance? Why should it be supported? Do you value humanity? Why would you support that? Take the time to share these questions (and your ideas) with your local Members of Parliament and Senators, and emphasise the importance in investing in an arts-led recovery by empowering artists to fully participate in the way forward.

Due to COVID-19 and changed circumstances in studios, schools and community, many dance providers have chosen to move their classes online. Here is a guide to keeping people connected, moving and staying positive in challenging times. However, teaching online presents a new set of practical, legal and pedagogical considerations. This resource looks at these three areas and provides some ideas and suggestions. It has been prepared by Dr Katrina Rank, Director of Education and Life Long Learning at Ausdance Victoria.

A list of government and philanthropic organsiations that have funding available for dance artists who meet specific criteria.

These are the industry representatives currently serving on the Australian Dance Awards Selection Panel.

The code of behaviour for parents is intended to support you to reassure your child that dance is for enjoyment and that they are loved for themselves rather than for their achievements.

Selection criteria and award categories for Australian Dance Awards

A overview of Ausdance National's key areas of publication: dance research, dance artists' voices, factsheets for Safe Dance and professional business practice.

Australian arts and health organisations, publications, conferences, research and workshops (2014).

Have you considered the impact of flood, fire or accidental damage to your professional flooring? In this article, Sam Small investigates this issue and the Aon insurance solution.

These universities and colleges offer full-time, specialist, post-secondary dance courses staffed by former artistic directors, choreographers, dancers and lecturers who train some of Australia's best dancers and dance teachers.

Some helpful advice for making good choices about dance experiences for your children.

What professional or serious dancers should be eating and drinking to train and perform at their best and minimise risks of injury and/or burnout.

Some general advice for studio teachers and/or managers about meeting OH&S requirements for maintaining a safe dance environment and for caring for the participants in a dance class.