This nationally recognised qualification is a one year program designed for Contemporary musicians who wish to develop their skills in performance and widen their musical backgrounds. On successful completion of the course students may audition for other courses within the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
 
Delivery and training include Concert Practice, Ensemble, Improvisation, Workshop, Aural, History, Music Industry, Music Software, Copyright, OH&S, Second Study Piano and Theory. Details of the specific delivery arrangement for each Unit of Competence are available from the relevant course coordinator or the Program Director of Music. It is expected and strongly recommended that students will maintain one-on-one musical tuition on a private basis. These lessons should be sufficient for students to develop their skills to complete the performance element of this course and be competitive for audition for work or further study.

Students apply directly to the Academy for admission which is based on audition and interview. These are normally held in November-December and students are assessed on performance at an audition and school or post-secondary academic record.

A minimum music standard equivalent to Grade VI practical and Grade V theory (AMEB) is desirable. Information relating to the audition requirements and procedures is available on the WAAPA website. It is expected that applicants would normally have achieved a level of education equivalent to completion of Year 10.

All delivery units are full year units studied full time at Mount Lawley campus.

The Certificate IV in Music (Contemporary) at WAAPA achieves 14 units from the Music Training Package. The Training Package rules require the three core units plus at least seven specialist units and four electives. At WAAPA these 14 Units of Competence are clustered within the course delivery units of Concert Practice, Ensemble, Improvisation, Workshop, Aural, History, Music Industry, Music Software, Copyright, OH & S, Second Study Piano and Theory.