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Diploma · national qualification

Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services

The Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services is for people already working on productions, events or exhibitions who want to take on the technical and management side rather than only deliver it.

Compare 7 providers
How long it takes
6 to 12 months
full time at TAFE NSW
How you can study
On campus
Taught by
7 providers
Every state and territory

Is this course right for you?

What the Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

  • an interest in live productions, events or exhibitions
  • a specialism in one technical area
  • confidence leading and coordinating a crew
  • a careful approach to safety at work

Before you start

Individuals must provide evidence of their skills in live production and technical services and the ability to: develop solutions in at least one technical area produce a body of work demonstrating skills in at least one technical area respond effectively to workplace challenges and requirements in line with current industry standards apply knowledge of trends and traditions in at least one technical area. Skills and knowledge may have been acquired through experience or formal study.

Diploma or Certificate III?

The Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services is at a higher level than the Certificate III. The diploma is for people already working on productions who want to take on the technical and management side rather than only deliver it, learning to plan and run complex productions, lead crews and manage how they perform.

See the course

Where this course can take you

No job needs this course on its own, but it can help with the work below.

Jobs this course can help with

None of these jobs needs a set qualification.

  • Sound Engineer

    Sound engineers record, mix and manage audio for music, live shows and broadcast, shaping how a performance or a recording actually ends up sounding.

    Median pay$95,900

  • Stage Manager

    Stage managers run the backstage side of a production, keeping rehearsals, cues and cast on schedule so every performance runs the same way.

    Median pay$71,800 (estimate)

  • Stagehand

    Stagehands build, move and run the physical side of a live show, from the set and lights to the sound gear, so the performance starts on time.

    Median pay$65,000 (estimate)

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.

Where you can study this course

There are 7 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

What you’ll learn

15 units: 4 that everyone takes and 11 you choose.

  • Leading production crews
  • Planning complex productions
  • Managing staff performance
  • Workplace health and safety
  • Creative industry trends
  • Professional practice in the arts
See all 4 core units

Core units

Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.

  • Loading the details for BSBLDR522…

Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

Questions people ask

Who is this qualification for?

It is for people already working on productions, events or exhibitions who want to take on the technical and management side rather than only deliver it. You learn to plan and run complex productions, lead crews and manage how they perform, keep work safe, and keep your own practice current. Roles may include Stage Manager, Production Manager or Lighting Designer.

Do I need experience or other qualifications first?

You must provide evidence of your skills in live production and technical services and the ability to develop solutions, produce a body of work, respond to workplace challenges and apply knowledge of trends, all in at least one technical area. Skills may come from experience or formal study. Providers can set their own conditions, so check with the one you choose.

How is it different from Certificate III in Live Production and Technical Services?

The Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services is at a higher level than the Certificate III. The diploma is for people already working on productions who want to take on the technical and management side rather than only deliver it, learning to plan and run complex productions, lead crews and manage how they perform.

Related courses

The national training register, training.gov.au. TAFE course pages, read 20 September 2026. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.