This nationally recognised qualification is the first year of a two year vocational dance program at WAAPA. This performance focused course provides intense practical experience, both technical and stylistic, in classes and through performance opportunities. Students to develop technical and creative skills in discipline areas of, ballet, pointe, pas de deux and solos, contemporary, choreography, dance history, music for dance, anatomy and nutrition. On competition, successful students can apply to articulate into the second year of the program, the Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance).

Applicants apply directly to WAAPA.

Admission is based on audition and interview where the candidate demonstrates competence in at least one dance style at Certificate IV level.
Candidates entering this qualification could be expected to demonstrate dance expertise through extensive vocational experience or in grades achieved in different dance styles through dance societies that run examinations linked to certification levels.

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

The Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) at WAAPA achieves 17 units from the Live Performance Training Package. The Training Package rules require the nine core units plus eight elective units. At WAAPA these 17 units of competency are clustered within the course delivery units of Ballet, Contemporary, Pas de Deux/Duo, Performance, Anatomy, Choreography, Dance History, Music for Dance, Nutrition.