Music Teaching

Certificate Teacher of Music
Associate Teacher of Music
Licentiate Teacher of Music

The AMEB recognises that a successful teacher requires a range of skills, knowledge and understanding of music, child development and teaching strategies.

Examinations offered

Two diploma examinations in music teaching are offered: the Associate Teacher of Music Australia (ATMusA) and the Licentiate Teacher of Music Australia (LTMusA); together with the introductory Certificate Teacher of Music Australia (CTMusA) examination.

Candidates are allowed up to six years within which to complete all Sections of the examination for a teacher certificate or diploma.

Examination Requirements

It is essential that teachers and candidates consult the current year’s syllabus for details of AMEB examination requirements and note the applicable regulations, which are amended from time to time. The Manual of Syllabuses (Music Syllabuses) is available for purchase in the traditional hard copy format or as a digital file (PDF); and digital syllabuses are available for individual instruments and instrument families. Read more about purchasing syllabuses >

Enrolling for examinations

Teacher Diploma practical examinations are held at the AMEB Studios in Hawthorn: Associate examinations are available in each of the five Metropolitan Practical Sessions; Licentiate examinations are offered in late-June and late-September.

Teacher Diploma written exams are available on application. Candidates will be responsible for arranging the venue and suitable supervision. Contact us for more information.

New Teaching syllabus

A new Teaching syllabus will be available for examination in 2024.

The new AMEB Teaching syllabus aims to develop the ability of instrumental and vocal teachers in line with international best practice and with reference to leading scholarship on music pedagogy from around the world.

The new syllabus comprises two awards: The Certificate Teacher of Music Australia (CTMusA) and Associate Teacher of Music Australia (ATMusA). Assessment is through a series of written and practical tasks.

The following resources are available from the AMEB Federal Office website:
AMEB Teaching Guide to assessment (2023) [free digital download]
AMEB Teaching Companion text (2023) [digital and hardcopy versions] $49.95

The teaching syllabus is available as a free digital download from the AMEB Federal Office.
Click here to access the Teaching Syllabus and resources.

Alternative syllabuses
The new CTMusA and ATMusA (2024) will be examined concurrently with the versions of the CTMusA, ATMusA and LTMusA that last appeared in the 2023 Manual of syllabuses for six years after the release of the new syllabus. The new Teaching syllabus does not include a Licentiate Teacher of Music Australia (LTMusA).

Old (2023) Teaching syllabus

Notice of withdrawal

The new (2024) Teaching syllabus will be examined concurrently with the version of the Teaching syllabus that last appeared in the 2023 Manual of syllabuses for six years after the release of the new syllabus. From the start of 2030 the previous Teaching syllabus will no longer be available for examination.

Examination entries: To enter for examination in the old syllabus last published in the 2023 Manual of syllabuses, select the Teaching (2023) syllabus in AMEB Connect. Note that it is not acceptable to present for examination with a mix of new (2024) and old (2023) syllabuses.

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