course overview
One year study
Certificate IV in Circus Arts provides aspiring circus artists with an introductory experience into high performance circus arts training. It is a highly disciplined and structured program with a great deal of scope for creativity.
Core foundation training includes strength and conditioning, flexibility, acrobatics and handstands. Students focus on their own area of specialisation and develop communication, trust and performance skills through group and partner work. A major ensemble circus performance is staged at the end of the year.
For many graduates this course is a great springboard into work in the performing arts industry, including community and contemporary circus, stunt work, theatre arts, dance, and technical production. Alternatively, graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to audition for the Bachelor of Circus Arts.
major studies
Foundation skills in circus including group acts, individual circus specialty, performance and movement, body awareness and fitness preparation for circus performers, applied practices for circus performers and traditions and trends of circus. The skills and knowledge encompassed in the program have been identified by industry professionals as the essential elementary introductory skills in circus, suitable for anyone wishing to undertake work in community or recreational circus, or in circus-based school activities, such as: core circus foundation skills performer, ensemble member, or assistant in properties and bump in/out.
Course code: 10824NAT CRICOS provider code: 00111D CRICOS course code: 0101877
contact hours
20 hours per week for 36 weeks (approx.)
Training is scheduled between 8.30am and 6pm Monday to Friday.
ideal for
Those seeking a one-year circus experience or those who wish to acquire more specific circus skills training.
Students preparing for the Bachelor of Circus Arts.
entry requirements
Audition, physiotherapy assessment and year 11 or equivalent.
Applicants should have a background in performing arts, physical theatre, youth circus, dance, acrobatic sports, or gymnastics.
how to apply
4 stages
NICA has entered into a new educational partnership with Collarts (Australian College for the Arts), which is accredited by TEQSA to offer the Bachelor of Circus Arts program and provides overarching academic and quality guidance and regulation.
Our VET programs will continue to be delivered in partnership with Swinburne University in 2025, before transitioning to Collarts in 2026.
Sign up to audition
Book into audition in-person or to submit a video audition. Deadline: 1 September 2025
Receive an Audition Pack
You will be sent an audition pack to complete by the application deadline: 8 September 2025. This pack includes instructions on how to submit your video audition, which skills to expect in the in-person audition, intake forms and medical assessment.
Attend an audition or submit video audition
Auditions will run between 22-25 September 2025. Video auditions are due 22 September 2025.
Receive an offer and enrol
If successful you will receive an offer to enrol into a recommended course. Welcome to NICA!
Please note: NICA has entered into a new educational partnership with Collarts (Australian College for the Arts), which accredits our Bachelor of Circus Arts program and provides overarching academic and quality guidance and regulation. Our VET programs will continue to be delivered in partnership with Swinburne University in 2025, before transitioning to Collarts in 2026.
auditions
What to expect
Auditions for entry into NICA’s accredited courses in 2026 will be held at NICA between 22-25 September 2025. Video auditions can be submitted for those who cannot attend an in-person audition.
We want to:
- Know about your discipline/s: Circus, Gymnastics, Dance, Tricking, Parkour, Theatre
- See your specialty skills
- Measure your strength and flexibility
- See you perform
- Hear about your journey to date and your future ambitions
- Assess your physical condition and discuss pre-existing injuries and injury management
There is a one-off administration fee of $50.00. You will also need to invest some time into collecting medical information, thinking about your performance and writing a brief description for the audition panel, and preparing physically, based on the video audition guides and the NICA video application guide.
You can warm up for your audition by attending our Audition Masterclass. A one-day intensive workshop designed to assist applicants to prepare.
P.s Don’t be alarmed if you can’t perform all of these skills yet, we are looking for your potential as a circus performer.
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student support
A network of experts
A student enrolled in one of NICA’s accredited courses is also a Swinburne University student with access to support services provided by Swinburne University.
NICA staff have worked with some of the greatest circus companies in the world including: Circus Oz, Circus Royale, Cirque du Soleil, Great Moscow Circus, Legs on the Wall, Gravity & Other Myths, Circa and Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
Students have access to NICA’s purpose-built circus training studios, performance spaces, drama and movement studios, equipment, costume storage spaces and dressing rooms.
NICA students are also supported by a specialised health team comprising a physiotherapist, sports doctor and sports psychologist.
The NICA medical team recently completed an extensive study on shoulder injuries, which was published in several international journals. As of February 2023, they have commenced a study on hip injury and prevention.