Stagehand / bump-in crew
Load, unload and set up event equipment under crew direction.
AUSTRALIA · JOB GUIDE
Events, festivals & entertainment
Choose between physical setup, guest service, hospitality and performance work. Event crewing can involve short-notice calls and late finishes; extras work is a separate casting route.
Illustrative photo
This could suit you if…
You like working with a team on something that has a clear opening night, match day or festival date.
The trade-offs
Bookings can be short and uneven. Setup and pack-down may happen late at night, long before or after the audience arrives.
01 / UNDERSTAND THE JOB
Which role suits your experience?
Marquee / event installation crew
Help assemble and dismantle marquees and event infrastructure.
Brand ambassador / promotional staff
Talk to the public about a campaign, product or event.
Where & when
Event dates drive the work. Look at the roster and recruitment window rather than assuming a permanent weekly schedule.
02 / CHECK YOUR STARTING POINT
What you need before applying
Match the requirement to the role
Requirements depend on the task: alcohol service has RSA rules; construction and high-risk equipment duties have their own training. Do not confuse a stagehand role with licensed rigging.
English you’ll use at work
Follow rapid team instructions for setup; guest-facing jobs need clear directions and calm responses to queues.
03 / CLOSE A SKILL GAP
Training to consider
Choose the credential the job needs. An optional skills course is different from a required qualification.
TCP RSA
Advertised $190 AUD · Sydney CBD, Dee Why, Miranda, Parramatta, Campbelltown, Bondi Junction
Course details
NSW classroom RSA training at the listed Sydney venues. Advertised $190 on 14 October 2026. A USI and identification are required; session times appear in the booking calendar.
Prices observed 14 October 2026.
TCP White Card
Advertised $119 AUD · Sydney CBD, Parramatta, Dee Why, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Miranda, Penrith, Bondi Junction
Course details
White Card NSW · Sydney CBD, Parramatta, Dee Why, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Miranda, Penrith, Bondi Junction. Advertised AUD 119 on 14 October 2026; total payable not confirmed. USI and original identification required. Check requirements before booking. Provider FAQ understates the two-year inactivity rule; use SafeWork guidance instead.
Prices observed 14 October 2026.
04 / FIND A HIRING ROUTE
Companies & agencies to approach
These links take you to recruitment channels. Check current vacancies, location and work rights for the individual role.
Show Support crew information
Browse this organisation’s recruitment information and check the location, duties and work-rights requirements of each role.
Working-holiday acceptance: check the role
Solotel
Hospitality group recruitment across bar, restaurant and kitchen roles; check each job location.
Working-holiday acceptance: check the role
05 / MAKE A USEFUL APPLICATION
Show the experience that matters
On your CV
Show punctuality, teamwork, customer-facing experience and safe manual work. List genuine technical equipment experience and late-night transport.
Include availability, location, work rights and current credentials.
Before accepting an offer
Confirm the meeting point, cancellation arrangements, shift end, breaks and who supplies any required kit.
Prepare for a short-notice call
Event crew can be booked for one shift, a run of dates or a season. Keep a current CV, phone on, and a simple list of dates you can work. Say whether you can reach early bump-in and late pack-down times, and what transport you have after the event. Do not claim rigging, electrical or plant experience unless you are trained and authorised for that task.
Before confirming a shift, get the venue, crew call time, expected finish, contact person, uniform and PPE, meal/break plan, cancellation process and pay arrangement in writing. Save the roster and record all hours, including compulsory briefing and pack-down.
Pay depends on the event role
Different jobs at the same event can have different pay rules. These adult casual examples show why it is worth separating crewing, guest service and screen work.
| Role / shift | Hourly pay |
|---|---|
| Live-performance Level 2 crew — ordinary | $34.44/hour |
| Events Award Grade 2 — ordinary | $33.85/hour |
| Feature-film extra — casual | $40.31/hour |
Award rates effective 1 July 2026, before tax and excluding super. The crew figure is $27.55 × 1.25 rounded to cents. Loading is included; coverage and classification must match the role.
Stagehand rates, minimum calls and source
06 / CHECK THE DETAILS
Official guidance & learning
Sources and research dates
Research reviewed 16 October 2026. Recruitment links are not confirmed vacancies; check current role requirements, pay rules, course availability and visa conditions before acting.