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The Comprehensive Exam
The traditional Comprehensive syllabus provides a framework for the progressive development of a wide range of musical and technical skills, over a series of grades and diplomas from beginner to expert level. Technical, aural and sight-reading skills are acquired in a sequential way; and students gain a theoretical understanding of the works being studied and their historical context. Repertoire is carefully selected by experts to suit the needs of students at their particular stage of development; and to promote growth in musical understanding and artistry in performance.
The Repertoire Exam by video or face-to-face
The Repertoire exam might suit students whose program for developing technical, aural or sight-reading skills does not align with the requirements of a particular Grade in the AMEB Comprehensive syllabus. Candidates can present for an AMEB assessment with only repertoire performance requirements, using works selected from the AMEB Lists for the Grade along with an Own Choice option. There are no Technical Work, Aural Test, Sight-reading or General Knowledge requirements for a Repertoire exam.
Students have the option of recording their performance and submitting a video for evaluation at any time between 1 April and 27 November. Read more about video exams >
Exam 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 >
Performance Evaluation by video or face-to-face
For students whose learning program does not suit an AMEB Comprehensive or Repertoire examination, AMEB Victoria offers a Performance Evaluation Program. The content of the Evaluation is customised to the needs of the student at the time. Face-to-face Performance Evaluations are available in durations of 15 and 30 minutes and are usually scheduled alongside AMEB Comprehensive and Repertoire exams.
Students have the option of recording their performance and submitting a video for evaluation at any time between 1 April and 27 November. Read more about Performance Evaluation >
Teacher Consultation
A teacher may register for a 30-minute personal consultation with an AMEB Examiner. Find out more about Teacher Consultation >
Support Materials
AMEB produces a range of publications to support teaching and learning in most instruments (as listed below). Supplementary materials are available to support the development of aural skills, theoretical knowledge, etc. Click to read more about general publications >
Enrolling for face-to-face exams, evaluations and consultations
Exams, evaluations and teacher consultations for Piano and Piano for Leisure are offered in five Metropolitan Practical Sessions and two Country Practical Sessions. Exams for Organ and Accordion are available in two Special Subject Sessions.
Diploma exams are held at the AMEB Studios in Hawthorn: Associate exams are available in each of the five Metropolitan Practical Sessions; Licentiate exams are offered in late-June and late-September. Click here for enrolment dates >
Piano Comparison
Features of each AMEB Piano syllabus
A Collaborative option is available in Level 2 Piano (Comprehensive) exams. In Grades 5 and 6 a piano duet may be presented as one selection. In Grades 7 and 8 works for either piano duo, violin and piano, clarinet and piano, or flute and piano may be presented as two of the repertoire selections.
| Piano (Comprehensive) | Piano (Repertoire) | Piano for Leisure (Comprehensive) | Piano for Leisure (Repertoire) |
| For aspiring pianists seeking to acquire a comprehensive range of artistic and technical skills. • Promotes the sequential development of technical and musical abilities • Encourages development of a comprehensive range of supporting skills – aural, sight-reading and general knowledge | For aspiring pianists seeking a repertoire-only assessment. • Promotes the sequential development of performance skills in a range of styles • Based on the broad range of carefully-graded repertoire in the Piano Comprehensive syllabus • Offers an ‘own choice’ option | For busy students seeking achievable goals. • Repertoire includes popular classics, jazz & film music • Fewer requirements in each section (Technical Work, Pieces and Section III) • Offers an ‘own choice’ option | For busy students seeking achievable goals with a repertoire-only assessment. • Repertoire includes popular classics, jazz & film music • Offers an ‘own choice’ option |
| Level 1 Preliminary to Grade 4 Section I. Technical Work Section II. Studies & Pieces: 3 works selected from the Lists plus 2 Extra List works (Grades 2 to 4) Section III. Aural tests, Sight-reading, General Knowledge | Level 1 Preliminary to Grade 4 Studies & Pieces: 4 works (3 works selected from the ‘Comprehensive’ syllabus Lists plus 1 Own Choice) | Level 1 Preliminary to Grade 4 Section I. Technical Work Section II. Pieces: 3 works (1 Own Choice permitted) Section III. Aural Tests or Sight-reading, General Knowledge | Level 1 Preliminary to Grade 4 Studies & Pieces: 4 works (2 works selected from the Piano for Leisure syllabus Lists plus 2 Own Choice pieces) |
| Level 2 Grades 5 to 8 Section I. Technical Work Section II. Studies & Pieces: 4 works selected from the Lists, with a ‘Collaborative’ option (see above), plus 2 Extra List works (Grades 5 to 7) Section III. Aural tests, Sight-reading, General Knowledge | Level 2 Grades 5 to 8 Studies & Pieces: 5 works (3 works selected from the ‘Comprehensive’ syllabus Lists plus 2 Own Choice) | Level 2 Grades 5 to 8 Section I. Technical Work Section II. Pieces: 3 works (1 Own Choice permitted) Section III. Aural Tests or Sight-reading, General Knowledge | Level 2 Grades 5 to 8 Studies & Pieces: 4 works (2 works selected from the Piano for Leisure syllabus Lists plus 2 Own Choice pieces) |
| Level 2 Certificate of Performance Section I. Pieces: A program of 4 or more works within a minimum and maximum performance time Section II. General Knowledge | (Certificate of Performance available in the Piano Comprehensive syllabus) | Level 2 Certificate of Performance Section I. Pieces: A program of 4 or more works within a minimum and maximum performance time Section II. General Knowledge | (Certificate of Performance available in the Piano for Leisure Comprehensive syllabus) |
| Level 3 Associate and Licentiate Diplomas Section I. Pieces: A program of 4 or more works within a minimum and maximum performance time Section II. General Knowledge | (Diploma exams available in the Piano Comprehensive syllabus) | (Diploma exams available in the Piano Comprehensive syllabus) | (Diploma exams available in the Piano Comprehensive syllabus) |
Piano
Piano Syllabus Resources
Piano Series 18 Grade Books (Preliminary – Grade 8)
Piano Series 17 Grade Books (Preliminary – Grade 8)
Piano Australian Anthology Level 1 (Preliminary – Fourth Grade) (2003) [List C works]
Piano Australian Anthology Level 2 (Fifth – Eighth Grade) (2001) [List D works]
Piano Technical work Level 1 (Preliminary to Grade 4) (2018)
Piano Technical work Level 2 (Grade 5 to Grade 8) (2018)
Piano Sight-reading (2018)
Piano Series 18 Handbook Level 1 (Preliminary to Grade 4) (print version, 2018)*
Piano Series 18 Handbook Level 2 (Grade 5 to Grade 8) (print version, 2018)*
Piano Series 18 Handbooks (Preliminary – Grade 8) (digital edition, available by grade)*
Piano Series 18 Recordings (Preliminary – Grade 8) (digital downloads, available by grade)*
Piano Series 17 Recordings & Handbooks (Preliminary – Grade 8) [print edition, including CD recordings]
*Recordings of the works printed in the Series 18 grade books are available as downloads but are not included in the Series 18 Handbooks. The Handbooks are available in print as Level 1 (Preliminary to Grade 4) or Level 2 (Grade 5 to Grade 8) books, or via digital download as individual grade e-books.
| Piano Syllabus Subject Numbers and Fees 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Preliminary | $ | 106.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 1 | $ | 114.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 2 | $ | 121.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 3 | $ | 135.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 4 | $ | 143.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 5 | $ | 152.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 6 | $ | 172.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 7 | $ | 204.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 8 | $ | 235.00 |
| Certificate of Performance | $ | 262.00 |
| Associate in Music | $ | 415.00 |
| Licentiate in Music | $ | 535.00 |
| Repertoire Preliminary | $ | 106.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 1 | $ | 114.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 2 | $ | 121.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 3 | $ | 135.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 4 | $ | 143.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 5 | $ | 152.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 6 | $ | 172.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 7 | $ | 204.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 8 | $ | 235.00 |
| Performance Evaluation 15min | $ | 72.00 |
| Performance Evaluation 30min | $ | 142.00 |
| Teacher Consultation | $ | 79.00 |
Piano for Leisure
The old Piano for Leisure Technical work was withdrawn at the end of 2023 and is no longer available for examination.
Piano for Leisure Resources
Piano Technical work Level 1 (Preliminary to Grade 4) (2018)
Piano Technical work Level 2 (Grade 5 to Grade 8) (2018)
Piano for Leisure Series 4 Grade Books (Preliminary – Grade 8)
Piano for Leisure Series 4 Recordings and Handbooks (Preliminary – Grade 8)
Piano for Leisure Series 3 Grade Books (Preliminary – Seventh Grade)
Piano for Leisure Series 3 CDs and Handbooks (Preliminary – Seventh Grade)
Piano for Leisure Series 2 Grade Books (Preliminary – Grade 8)
Piano for Leisure Series 2 CDs and Handbooks (Preliminary – Grade 8)
Piano for Leisure Series 1 Grade Books (Preliminary – Eighth Grade)
Piano for Leisure Series 1 Recordings (Preliminary to Eighth Grade)
| Piano for Leisure Subject Numbers and Fees 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Preliminary | $ | 106.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 1 | $ | 114.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 2 | $ | 121.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 3 | $ | 135.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 4 | $ | 143.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 5 | $ | 152.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 6 | $ | 172.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 7 | $ | 204.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 8 | $ | 235.00 |
| Certificate of Performance | $ | 262.00 |
| Repertoire Preliminary | $ | 106.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 1 | $ | 114.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 2 | $ | 121.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 3 | $ | 135.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 4 | $ | 143.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 5 | $ | 152.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 6 | $ | 172.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 7 | $ | 204.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 8 | $ | 235.00 |
P Plate Piano
P Plate Piano is a series of three bright, colourful piano books for beginner pianists who have completed their first tutor.
The books are designed to complement the teacher’s existing teaching methods and provide perfect preparation for AMEB Preliminary Piano or Preliminary Piano for Leisure. Optional non-graded assessments are available from AMEB at the end of each book. The books feature stunning artwork, fun activities and informative text written by nationally respected music educator, Elissa Milne.
Students of P Plate Piano can now present for an assessment by video
• The candidate prepares for a P Plate Piano assessment in accordance with the guidelines.
• A teacher, parent or sibling may participate in the assessment, performing one of the optional duet parts with the candidate.
• A teacher, parent or older sibling sets up the recording equipment.
• Other family members could form an audience for the ‘concert’.
• At the beginning of the recording, the candidate introduces him/herself and announces each piece, before playing it. (The announcements replace the conversation between the examiner and candidate in the face-to-face P Plate Piano assessment.)
• A written report and certificate will be mailed to the enrolling person after the examiner has reviewed the recording.
• On completing P Plate Piano Book 3 the candidate will be awarded their personally named P Plate Piano ‘licence’ card.
• The recording is the candidate’s property and could be sent to other family members for their enjoyment (but cannot be publicly distributed due to copyright restrictions).
Click here for P Plate Piano assessment guidelines.
Click here for information on how to record and submit a video performance.
Resources
P Plate Piano Book One, Book Two, Book Three
| P Plate Piano Subject Numbers and Fees 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Piano - P Plate Book 1 | $ | 55.00 |
| Piano - P Plate Book 2 | $ | 55.00 |
| Piano - P Plate Book 3 | $ | 65.00 |
Organ
| Organ Subject Numbers and Fees 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Grade 3 | $ | 135.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 4 | $ | 143.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 5 | $ | 152.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 6 | $ | 172.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 7 | $ | 204.00 |
| Comprehensive Grade 8 | $ | 235.00 |
| Associate in Music | $ | 415.00 |
| Licentiate in Music | $ | 535.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 3 | $ | 135.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 4 | $ | 143.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 5 | $ | 152.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 6 | $ | 172.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 7 | $ | 204.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 8 | $ | 235.00 |
| Performance Evaluation 15min | $ | 72.00 |
| Performance Evaluation 30min | $ | 142.00 |
| Teacher Consultation | $ | 79.00 |
Accordion
In 2025, Accordion Grade exams will be available in the Repertoire syllabus, by pre-recorded video submission only.
| Accordion Subject Numbers and Fees 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Repertoire Preliminary | $ | 106.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 1 | $ | 114.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 2 | $ | 121.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 3 | $ | 135.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 4 | $ | 143.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 5 | $ | 152.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 6 | $ | 172.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 7 | $ | 204.00 |
| Repertoire Grade 8 | $ | 235.00 |
All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST.