Rigging Technician

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
ECU City campus 
$84,470 to $93,865 pa (HEW 5) plus 17% super
2 year fixed term appointment, Full-time 

Are you ready to belong to a dynamic community where courage, creativity, and optimism are essential elements of our DNA? At ECU we’re inspired by the incredible achievements of Edith Cowan, the first woman elected to an Australian parliament and a lifelong champion of education. Empowered by her legacy, we’re united in our vision to lead the sector in educational experience and expand our impact through world-class research. 

Embrace an opportunity to become part of something extraordinary.

The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

WAAPA is one of the world’s leading performing arts academies, delivering the most comprehensive range of performing arts training in Australia. Our students are able to develop their skills on-stage as an actor, dancer or musician, or behind the scenes in production, design or arts management.

As part of an exciting expansion plan, WAAPA will move into its brand-new world-class city campus in Yagan Square in the Perth CBD in 2026. This Creative Industries, Law, Business and Technology Campus will be where innovative thinkers, adaptive learners and global citizens meet to develop into the leaders of tomorrow. ECU’s CBD campus will bring together streams of teaching and research with unique synergies for growth and development. This is unequivocally the most exciting time of all to join the university as it embarks on this further growth and transformational journey. 

This is your chance to play your part in the launch of this unprecedented project, as we look towards our opening to students in 2026.

Find out more about ECU City and the impact your involvement can make on this exciting and career defining project.

About the Opportunity

WAAPA is seeking a Rigging Technician to ensure the efficient operation of WAAPA’s theatre staging staff and resources. This position supports the teaching and production demands of WAAPA by overseeing all staging equipment and supervising rigging technicians. The role involves hands-on technical support for performances and productions, contributing to cross-disciplinary activities such as rigging, lighting, and staging. It also includes guiding students in the safe and effective use of theatrical systems, maintaining equipment, developing training materials, and collaborating on innovative production methods. The Staging Supervisor ensures all activities align with WAAPA’s educational and commercial objectives, while upholding safety standards and contributing to the continuous improvement of production processes. Some evening and weekend work will be required in this role.

About you

To be successful in this role you will have experience as a Staging Supervisor, Head Mechanist, Head Flyman or Events specialist Rigger. You will be able to demonstrate:

• Proven examples of rigging structures and practices that have accommodated human flying in line with WHS.
• Proven experience in uploading, constructing and operating stage sets and machinery, running load-ins, calling fly swings, managing crew across departments, reconfiguring scenery for performance, and maintaining accurate show documentation.
• Advanced understanding of WHS legislation, risk management and compliance in live production settings.
• The ability to act with high levels of autonomy, initiative, adaptability, and with attention to detail.

Benefits of working at ECU

At ECU we’re committed to fostering a positive employment experience and believe this is fundamental to the success and satisfaction of our employees. Growth and development matter here, because we recognise people are at the centre of everything we do. Our thriving work culture is guided by the ECU values and complemented by a range of employee benefits; visit our website to read about flexible working arrangements, generous leave entitlements, our commitment to Wellbeing, exclusive corporate discounts and industry-leading superannuation.

Contact

Interested applicants are welcome to contact Chad Wetton at c.wetton@ecu.edu.au for more information.

Application Process

Please upload your resume along with a statement (maximum 2 pages) addressing the key criteria outlined above.

Advert Closure

Applications close on Sunday 30 Novmber 2025 at 11:30pm AWST

ECU reserves the right to close the advertisement before the stated closing date, and encourage applicants to submit their applications early.

PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FROM CANDIDATES WHO HAVE THE RELEVANT WORKING RIGHTS TO FILL THIS POSITION.

ECU is a diverse and inclusive workplace with specific strategies and initiatives in place to address underrepresentation of specific groups. We strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age and faith. For more information on our commitment to equity and diversity, please visit our Inclusive Workplace website.

At ECU, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively encourage people with disability to apply to ECU. To discuss how we can support adjustment requirements, please contact the person listed above.