Music Teaching
Certificate, Associate,
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.
Exams offered
Two diploma exams in music teaching are offered in the new syllabus first released in 2024: 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) exam.
Candidates are allowed up to four years to complete all Sections of the exam for a teacher certificate or diploma (although two years a recommended).
The Licantiate Teacher of Music Australia is only available in the old syllabus last printed in the 2023 Manual of Syllabuses.
New Teaching syllabus
A new Teaching syllabus was introduced 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 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 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.
Exam entries: To enter for an exam 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 and old (2023) syllabuses.
Music Teaching Fees
Certificate (new) – Section 1
$290.00
Certificate (new) – Section 2
$210.00
Certificate (new) – Section 3
$335.00
Associate (new) – Section 1
$500.00
Associate (new) – Section 2
$435.00
Associate (new) – Section 3
$625.00
Certificate (old) – Section 1 & 2
$280.00
Certificate (old) – Section 3
$355.00
Associate (old) – Section 1 & 2
$280.00
Associate (old) – Section 3
$355.00
Licentiate (old) – Section 1 & 2
$280.00
Licentiate (old) – per section
$355.00
All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST.
Enrolling for exams
Both the CTMusA and ATMusA are divided into three sections, each enrolled for seperately in sequence (see the Teaching Syllabus for more information). Candidates for theoretical Sections I and II must enrol directly via the AMEB Federal Office’s SCORE website. Section III (practical) must be enrolled through AMEB Connect. All three Sections must be completed within four years.
The new CTMusA and ATMusA 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). From the start of 2030 the previous Teaching syllabus will no longer be available for examination. Note that it is not acceptable to present for examination with a mix of new and old (2023) syllabuses.
Exam Requirements
It is essential that teachers and candidates consult the current syllabus for details of specific exam requirements and regulations. AMEB syllabuses are now available as free digital downloads. Choose from a single instrument syllabus, syllabuses grouped by instrument family or the complete Manual of Syllabuses.
Support Materials
AMEB produces a range of publications to support teaching and learning and these are listed in the current Manual of Syllabuses (Music Syllabuses). Supplementary materials are also available to support the development of aural skills, theoretical knowledge, etc. Visit the AMEB shop here.
Stay in touch
AMEB Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
