Below are links to articles released by Ausdance National designed to assist parents, students, and teachers in the dance realm, with applicability extending to company and independent practices.
Fact Sheets
Fact Sheets
For Teachers
Safe Dance IV research survey: data reveals life dedicated to learning & training
originally published on 9 August 2017
Child safe dance practices
originally published on 23 April 2013 in Teaching factsheets
Safe Dance ® practice
originally published on 20 November 2011 in Australian guidelines for teaching dance
Professional business practice for dance studios
originally published on 20 October 2017 in Australian guidelines for teaching dance
For Parents
Child safe dance practices
originally published on 23 April 2013 in Teaching factsheets
Safe Dance ® practice
originally published on 20 November 2011 in Australian guidelines for teaching dance
Useful Links
Working with Children Check
The Working with Children (WWC) Check is a compulsory screening strategy for people engaging in child-related work in Western Australia (WA) and the Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Dance Teacher Pay Rates
Ausdance Queensland has a comprehensive guide to determining Pay Rates. Check out their webpage here.
Body Image in Dance
Trigger warning: These following resources contain language around body image and eating disorders.
Activate Dance – Recommendations for building better body image in dance
This document aims to explore the benefits of considering body image in the dance environment and provides practical strategies for dance teachers to build better body image for individual dancers, along with a more inclusive, positive culture and environment for dance.
The Australian Ballet – Body Image and Disordered Eating Guidelines
The Australian Ballet Body Image and Disordered Eating Guidelines have been developed to support a well-informed, safe and supportive company culture that is committed to the prevention and management of a negative body image, disordered eating and eating disorders. The guidelines aim to achieve this by reducing exposure to risk factors and strengthening support and protective factors.
Creating Culturally Safe Spaces
The ‘We Create Safe Spaces’ report has been researched and co-written by Jasmin Sheppard (Tagalaka, Critical Path’s First Nations artist-curator), and Joshua Staines (Wiradjuri), with artwork by Shana O’Brien (ties to Darkinjung and Dharug). This report began at a gathering at the Drill Hall, Critical Path, on the 2nd of April, 2023. Ten First Nations contemporary dance artists based in Sydney began the conversation, highlighting how many of our community and our peers have had to battle the system, struggle through unhealthy ways of working, revealing the lack of scaffolding within arts organisations to support the unique way we work and inhabit spaces. Throughout the following two years, nineteen NSW-based or connected First Nations dance artists have been consulted through online and in-person discussions. This project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
