Composition is an intrinsically creative field of scholarship that informs the production of new music through the application of theoretical, structural, and aesthetic ideas about sound. Founded by Emeritus Professor Larry Sitsky, whose work has been supported by major grants from Australian Research Council. The postgraduate research program in composition attracts candidates from a wide variety of musical backgrounds, and includes a high proportion of professional composers working on commissions for major orchestras, ensembles and films.

Student composers are supported through weekly seminar meetings and workshops, as well as performances from resident ensembles, end of semester composers concerts (featuring the New Music Ensemble) and other performance opportunities.