Actor training in Australia is mostly dominated by institutions delivering programs for school leavers wishing to pursue professional careers in the performing arts.

The nature of the performing arts industry in Australia, and indeed the USA, Europe and UK, is one where the age distribution of actors is overwhelmingly in the under 25 age group, so more mature actors are in fact in a competitive advantage. The other factor to consider is that a more mature actor is not only better equipped to draw upon life experiences to inform their acting, but generally they are more financially stable and more resilient to the pressures of an acting career.

Being an actor is tough, and having the wherewithal to be more personally assured, financially secure and independent sets an actor up for longer term participation.

Mature learners are not only better equipped, but the industry presents more opportunity to those aged 35 and above. There is a distinct lack of robust part time actor training curricula specifically designed to suit adult learners in Australia. Conservatory training models with real world performance projects are essential to develop skills and knowledge to meet the rigours and demands of the industry, and this should not be reserved only for the young.

The more mature actors are arguably more castable than their Gen Z equivalents and derive from a smaller casting pool, giving a pronounced competitive edge. Fresh faced actors of all ages and stages have much to offer the Australian performing arts industry, and the inherent ageism that precludes their participation in Actor training denies the industry a very valuable and worthy asset.