Only you can decide what making it as an actor means to you, but we analysed reams of data to help up-and-comers understand just how long it can take to make it and by make it, we mean securing your first paying job.
While Hollywood is the pinnacle for many aspiring actors, Australia has a thriving screen industry that has served as a springboard for many of La La Land‘s biggest stars, but it also represents an opportunity for those looking for entry-level opportunities in the industry.
There are plenty of stories out there about not giving up and pointing to many familiar faces on our screens who didn’t find success until much later in life. While some of them were struggling actors for many years, others started in other careers and made the change to acting later in life. So, don’t let those stories put you off pursuing your craft.
Instead, let’s take a look at the data we analysed and break it down to show you how long it really takes.
What The Data Suggests
Actors who study with a formal acting program are likely to land paying jobs quickly, with 89% of graduates from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) securing paid acting work, or continuing their study, within six months of graduation. You don’t need to study at NIDA to have a better chance at landing work, though.
According to industry surveys, between 20 and 30% of Hollywood (and major theatre markets) actors graduated from a recognised acting school, conservatory or are actively attending one while working part-time. What that suggests is that many part-time actors are trying to build career momentum while continuing their studies.
The key lesson from both sets of data is that actors who have undergone some type of formal training start working almost immediately following the completion of their training. To show just how many opportunities there are across Australia’s entertainment industry, the film and TV sector employed more than 42,000 people in 2021. There is an abundance of roles to audition for if you’re looking in the right places and working on your craft.
Additionally, the government labour profile highlights the domestic data for Australian actors, showing that actors have a median age of 29 and 72% work part-time, leaving 28% in full-time work. To put that in context, the data shows that the average SAG-AFTRA actor earns around $46,960 annually, which is the equivalent of AUD$71,560, well below the average Australian salary.
Many of Australia’s most successful actors got their start at a young age. Nicole Kidman is Hollywood royalty today, but she was just 16 years old when she made her feature film debut in the 1983 classic “Bush Christmas”. Meanwhile, Margot Robbie got her start as Donna Freedman on Neighbours, aged just 17. That was her springboard, but after leaving the now-cancelled soap, she was cast in the short-lived American television program Pan Am, starring with the likes of Christina Ricci before landing a role in Wolf of Wall Street.
However, momentum in early acting careers is a larger contributor to success compared to a young starting age. Many of Hollywood’s famed actors such as Kathy Bates, Alan Rickman, Jane Lynch and Harrison Ford, started their careers later in life and continued building momentum to create lucrative acting careers.
While the rest might be history, it does reinforce the results of a Nature Communications study that shows many actors experience the most productive year of their career early on; it’s usually after their first role. The study shows that around 70% of actors have a one-year career.
They secure one credited role early and it’s typically in the first year of acting. That’s why building momentum is key, one booking can open the door to more opportunities, but it requires a proactive approach.
It also bolsters the importance of study and training and how many of our homegrown actors find success so soon after they study. Of course, there are certain elements and special skills that can enhance an actor’s chances of success, including accent work, techniques (Meisner), languages, martial arts, and the like.
However, there are a few items that casting directors look for on resumes, and if you have these on yours, you will be more likely to secure a role.
What Casting Directors Are Looking For
The first thing casting directors look for on an actor’s resume is an acting credit, which is why momentum is important. The second is professional headshots and an up-to-date show reel. Then comes representation, location, and formal training.
If you live in an industry hub like Sydney or Melbourne, you are in prime territory to respond to casting calls when they pop up. There’s no need to travel and it can help you increase your visibility within the industry. Formal training can help you secure a job because it shows you’re committed to your craft and take proactive steps to put yourself in the best possible position to succeed.
All the data supports the importance of formal training, whether you pursue a degree at NIDA, VCA, or WAAPA or enrol in short courses or workshops to improve your on-camera acting skills, improv, or audition techniques.
According to the data we reviewed, successful actors typically book a paid role shortly after completing their training or while their studies are ongoing. Once you have that initial role under your belt, you need to keep auditioning because that first credit might just be the key to unlocking the career of your dreams.
Whether you have dreams of landing in Summer Bay or visions of a sparkling film career – formal training is key. Look for a long-established, reputable studio that can provide a range of classes and workshops. “Acting classes offer more than just individual coaching,” says principal teacher and founder of The Actors Pulse, Billy Milionis.
“They foster ensemble work, sharpen your listening skills, and allow you to observe and learn from others in real‑time. That kind of group training is the most reliable way to build instincts, deepen your storytelling, and position yourself confidently for your first acting job.”
The data is clear. Formal training is often the key to unlocking your skills and showcasing your abilities to ensure you book your first job quickly. Once that first job is yours, you can build momentum to establish the career you’ve been dreaming of.
However, even the finest actors continue to learn their craft; stopping in for improv classes, taking voice lessons, exploring different acting techniques, and essentially, expanding their knowledge to ensure they are ready for any part that comes their way.
Images: How long does it take to make it as an actor? (Credit: quavondo/Getty Images) | Australian TV and film sector (Credit: Ron Lach/Pexels) | Early career actor success data (supplied)