If you’re outstandingly striking, like hard work, and fancy making a few bucks (or more), then the life of a model could be for you. Melbourne is home to some of Australia’s top modelling agencies just waiting for your application. The industry is more accessible than ever, with agencies around Australia looking for diverse, fresh looks in the quest to discover the next big thing. Here’s what you need to know to launch your modelling career from Victoria’s bustling state capital.
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Fancy being repped by the agency that kicked off the careers of Elle McPherson, Travis Fimmel and Rachel Hunter? If so, Australia’s largest model agency Chadwick Models might be for you. Established in 1976, Chadwick guided 16-year-old Adut Akech from modelling newbie to supermodel; she now works with brands such as Givenchy and Chanel, and has signed multimillion dollar contracts with Victoria’s Secret and Estee Lauder. Seems these guys really know what they’re doing.
Chadwick has offices in Sydney and Perth as well as Melbourne, and boasts a worldwide reputation for campaign and editorial work. Chadwick models are often seen on the catwalks of Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu and Prada. More recently they’ve also moved into managing social media influencers such as Steph Claire Smith, Laura Henshaw, Dan Brown, and Elisha and Renee Herbert. They know how to manage successful careers and have the track record to prove it.
Submission policy: Submit via email to your nearest Chadwick office, including your contact details, measurements, and a couple of recent snapshots (not exceeding 2 MB total). Women must meet the minimum height requirement of 5’8” or 173 cm; males should be 6’0” or 183 cm.
Women and Men: melbourne@chadwickmodels.com
The Melbourne office of top Australian modelling agency Vivien’s Models opened in 1972, five years after the agency’s inception. Family owned and run, Vivien’s has offices across Australia and a strong nationwide reputation. Always on the lookout for top talent, the agency runs regular model searches and is eager to launch a “virtual unknown into model superstardom.”
Leading models such as Gemma Ward and Jessica Gomes were nurtured into great worldwide careers by Viviens’ agents. Model Courtney Eaton went on to star in Mad Max: Fury Road. Vivien’s has a track record of helping its talent transition successfully into TV and music as well, and the agency has more recently added a department nurturing social media talent.
Submission policy: Submit via email to your nearest Vivien’s office, including your contact details, measurements, and a couple of recent snapshots (not exceeding 2MB total). Women must meet the minimum height requirement of 5’8” or 173 cm and be between 14 and 20 years old; men should be 6’0” or 183 cm and at least 16 years of age.
You can also visit the Melbourne office for an in-person assessment (no appointment needed) on weekdays between 14 o’clock and 16 o’clock. Wear little -to-no makeup, and bring a couple of recent snapshots of yourself, printed or on a USB drive.
Melbourne: melbourne@viviensmodels.com.au
Based in both Melbourne and Sydney, Priscillas Model Management has an international reputation, often working with big brands such as Miu Miu, Ralph Lauren and Dior. Think edgy editorials, diversity and worldwide exposure with a close knit, nurturing ethos and you’re on the way to understanding Priscillas.
Set up in the nineties by Priscilla Leighton Clark (of “Australia’s Next Top Model” fame), the agency is small-ish, offering a boutique management experience. As Doll Wright, head of booking and scouting, told the Broadsheet website, “A model agency should become an extension of a model’s family…. We are involved in every aspect of our model’s life, professionally and emotionally.”
Small doesn’t mean the agency lacks impact, though. It reps the likes of Fernanda Ly, Julia Nobis and Naomi Campbell, and Priscillas’ quirky, beautiful faces often grace the pages of magazines such as “Vogue,” “Harper’s,” and “Vanity Fair.” If you’re thinking of a career that expands beyond modelling, the agency also partners with Primary Management, offering routes into TV, film, sport and music.
Submission policy: Submit via Priscillas’ online form, which requires your contact details, measurements, at least two photos, and links to any social media profiles.
Founded in 1989, Giant Management has two Melbourne-based offices and describes itself as “the leading boutique model management agency in Australia.” With over thirty years’ experience of developing successful modelling careers, Giant aims to “treat our talent as family,” adding, “there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing family excel in their passion.”
Top models who have worked with Giant include Brooke Nash, Tully Smyth and Taya Brooks. The agency’s guidance has landed their talent work nationally and internationally, with high fashion brands and commercial outfits. Check out their Instagram page here for their most recent clients; Guess, Vogue and Maison Kitsuné are just a few.
The agency emphasises career development offering “unrivaled support, encouragement and one-on-one training to prepare our models for successful careers in Australia and on the international stage.” They also rep photographers, makeup artists, and hyounger junior models.
Submission policy: Giant wants submissions via their website. They ask for four different photos, in which you wear form fitting clothing, avoid large jewellery, and keep your look natural. (There are reference photos on the site to help guide you.) They will be in touch if they’re interested. They don’t accept walk-ins without an appointment, but you can sign up to their mailing list for details regarding any future casting days.
Scene Models Management was founded in 1997 and is based not only in Melbourne but also in Perth and Sydney. The agency works in commercial and editorial, and has boards focusing on men, women and juniors. They also accept submissions from less traditional (older and curvier) aspiring models.
Scene mainly works within Australia, and has had real success in scouting and finding top Aussie modelling talent. Could you be next? If so, you’d be joining the ranks of models working on catwalks, magazines and commercial campaigns. Scene is looking for “a large variety of faces and beautiful minds,” so if that sounds like you, get in touch!
Submission policy: If you want to get seen at Scene and are above 175cm (women) or 183cm (men), reach out via their website here. They’ll ask for three photos: one non-smiling, one-smiling, and one full-length. They also keep tabs on the insta hashtag #bescene, if you want to use your socials to get scouted.
Their Melbourne email contact is melbourne@scenemodels.com, and their phone number is +61 3 94216378 for any further questions.