About the Examination

Dance is our business. The Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing is one of the world's great international dance societies proudly serving dance for nearly 80 years.

2013 marks the 80th Anniversary of the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD).

The Society had its beginnings in 1933 with the formation of the National Examination System and the Victorian Society of Dancing. Established in 1931 and 1933 respectively, the two organisations were founded to establish Examination Standards and to raise the standard of dance in Australia.

The later amalgamation of the two societies into the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing consolidated the work of the two organisations into one democratic society which today occupies a unique position amongst the dance societies of the world, catering for all major forms of dance.

Examinations are held throughout Australia and the Asian Pacific Region in the various syllabi.

The national operations of the Society are managed by an Executive Committee elected annually by the membership. The real estate assets of the Society are administered by the Board of Trustees.

Teacher Qualifications

Teachers who have a full teachers’ diploma use the letters CSTD together with the distinguishing letters for the syllabus, eg. CSTD/cb (classical ballet).

Affiliate membership is available to teachers of dancing, professional dancers and student dance teachers who do not hold the Society’s teaching qualification.

Competitions, Festivals, Championships and other member activities are programmed each year to meet the needs of members in each state.