Your music journey starts with passion, not a score
Let’s be real: Year 12 can feel like the longest, most stressful rollercoaster of your life. Between exams, study pressure, and the constant talk about ATARs, it’s easy to think that a single number will decide your entire future.
Spoiler alert: it won’t.
At the Australian Institute of Music (AIM), your creativity matters more than your ATAR. We don’t look at your score when you apply. Once you’ve completed Year 12, you’re ready to apply, no ATAR needed. Think of your AIM application as your first creative performance, not a form or test. Most of our programs require an in-person audition or an online portfolio submission, but here’s the best part: it’s built around you. It’s your chance to showcase what you actually love doing, whether that’s performing, producing, composing, or managing music projects. It’s not about ticking boxes or chasing perfection, it’s about showing us your spark, your ideas, and your passion.
AIM student Gypsy Forsythe remembers the experience as a turning point: “The audition process was my dream admission task,” she says. “I was ecstatic to see that I was accepted into AIM , which meant to me that not only was I as a person accepted into AIM, but also my skills and passions.”
We believe talent, passion, and drive can’t be summed up in a number.
You’re More Than a Rank
ATARs measure how you perform in an exam, not who you are as a creative person. They don’t capture the hours you’ve spent writing songs in your bedroom, performing at open mics, or mixing tracks until 2 a.m.
We’ve seen countless students come through AIM who didn’t get the number they wanted, and still went on to tour, record albums, work on major productions, and build incredible creative careers.
The Only Thing That Matters: Your Talent
We’re not here to box you into a score or tell you that your path should look like everyone else’s. We’re here to help you grow your craft, learn from industry pros, and find your own sound, style, and purpose.
If you’ve got passion, we’ll meet you halfway with the tools, experience, and community to help you turn it into a career.
So, If You’re Finishing Year 12…
And the ATAR talk is stressing you out….breathe. You’ve already made it this far. Your creativity, commitment, and individuality matter more than any number on a screen.
At AIM, your future starts with what you love, not what you scored.
