Music Therapist
As a music therapist you may use multiple music techniques to provide therapy to a range of people with special needs or conditions. You will assess the needs of who you are treating and then come up with an appropriate activity and monitor its effectiveness.
What the job looks like
Salary expectation
starts at $40,000 up to $166,747+
The good
- To see someone’s mood improve during a session
- Helping people
- Working with music
- Being creative
The not so good
- Can be emotionally draining
- Not many full time jobs
Music therapists work in almost all areas of the health system, as well as special schools, nursing homes and even palliative care. You can work with children and adults in group or individual settings.
Maths is a big part of music and is used to understand the principles of sound. Without realising it, you might use maths to tune your instrument, set the frequency or harmony and establish the rhythm of a song.
You will need excellent communication and English skills as your role will involve encouraging others to express themselves. You will also keep progress notes and will be designing your own programs.
If you are patient, have a love and understanding of music and a desire to help people, then this could be the career for you.
Pathways to this career
Subject suggestions for the HSC
Choosing your HSC subjects from this list could really help with your career. Think carefully about what you want to study after school as you might need to choose specific HSC subjects for that course and to count towards your ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). An ATAR is your academic rank in relation to other HSC students and helps with University admission.
HSC subjects
Some subjects will count towards your ATAR, others will not. Check with your career advisor before making subject selections.
- English (Standard or higher)
- Mathematics (General 2 or higher)
- Music
- Biology
- Community and Family Studies
What can I do after I have finished school?
University degrees
Studying one of these degrees can help with your career.
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Psychology
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Suggestions
Checkout Australian Music Therapy Association for more information
- Keep up your music skills and continue to develop them
- Volunteer with a community group to build up experience helping others
- Go to career expos and events like university Open Days for information about what you will study
