To inspire creativity and innovation, we want to work with students from diverse backgrounds. To achieve this, we offer a range of scholarships that recognise excellence and assist with the costs associated with higher education. Education is a worthwhile investment in your future, and there are a variety of options to help you reach your study goal.
A variety of financial support options, which you may be able to access include AFTRS Scholarships, AFTRS Special Finance Assistance and Government support: FEE-HELP, Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy.
Questions? Contact AFTRS Student Centre on 1300 223 877 or studentinfo@aftrs.edu.au.
APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
FIND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUR COURSE
Scholarships available for each course are –
Master of Arts Screen
- Alumni and Industry Scholarship
- Craft Excellence Scholarship
- Equity Scholarships, supported by the Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust
- First Nations Scholarships, supported by the Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust
Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting
- ARN Radio and Podcasting Scholarship
- CRA Regional Radio Scholarship
- Equity Scholarships, supported by the Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust
- First Nations Scholarships, supported by the Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust
- Glenn Daniel Smooth FM Scholarship
- Glenn Wheatley EON Innovation Scholarship
- Pariya Taherzadeh Radio & Podcasting Scholarship
Master of Arts Screen: Business
- Anita Jacoby Trailblazer Scholarship
- Equity Scholarships, supported by the Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust
- First Nations Scholarships, supported by the Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust
Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production
- Australia for UNHCR Beddie Scholarship
- Constellation Creatives Scholarship
- Equity Scholarships, supported by the Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust
- First Nations Scholarships, supported by the Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust
- Onbass Giant Steps Scholarship
- Women in Cinematography Scholarship sponsored by Sony
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, you will need to complete the online scholarship application form and provide any documentation requested by the closing date.
After submitting your award course application, you will be taken to your home page in the AFTRS application portal, where you will be presented with a list of scholarships available for your chosen course. You will need to complete the application form from there.
Ensure you meet and address all the criteria in your application. It is important that you answer all questions and provide any requested supporting documentation.
Scholarship applications are separate from course applications. You will need to submit a course applications before you can apply for a scholarship.
You can apply for multiple scholarships, as long as you meet the scholarship’s eligibility criteria.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
| When do scholarships open/close?
Applications for Round 1, 2026 open 18 June and close on the following dates:
*excludes Women in Cinematography Scholarships sponsored by Sony which opens TBC 2025 and closes TBC 2025 and the Australia for UNHCR Beddie Scholarship which opens TBC 2025 and closes 28 October, 2025. We recommend you don’t wait until the last minute or try and rush through an application. Give yourself plenty of time to search for scholarships you may be eligible for and plan ahead to allow enough time to prepare your application and supporting documentation. |
| Which scholarships am I eligible for?
Some scholarships are based on certain criteria such as cultural background, your chosen course of study, disability, financial situation or where you live. The eligibility requirements are outlined in the guidelines for each scholarship. Read the eligibility criteria carefully to make sure you are suitable to apply for the scholarship. If you are unsure, you can discuss this with the Student Centre. |
| Are New Zealand citizens eligible to apply for scholarships?
Yes. New Zealand citizens are eligible to apply for all AFTRS scholarships so long as they meet all other eligibility requirements. |
| How do I apply for a scholarship?
Complete the online scholarship application form and provide any documentation requested by the closing date. Ensure you meet and address all the criteria in your application. It is important that you answer all questions and provide any requested supporting documentation. All supporting documentation must clearly display the applicant’s legal name. |
| How many scholarships can I apply for?
We encourage you to apply for multiple scholarships, provided you meet the Scholarship(s) eligibility criteria. |
| How much is a scholarship worth?
The value of each scholarship can be found in the scholarship guidelines. |
| Can scholarships be deferred?
Recipients cannot defer the commencement of a scholarship. If you are deferring your course, you would need to re-apply for a scholarship in the following year. |
| Are there any conditions associated with scholarships?
Conditions of scholarships vary; however, they are outlined in the scholarship guidelines and any additional conditions will be clearly outlined in the email sent to successful applicants. |
| How/When will I find out the outcome of my scholarship application?
You will be notified by email within six weeks of applications closing. |
| Can I get feedback on my scholarship application?
Due to the large volume of scholarship applications, we cannot provide individual feedback to applicants regarding their scholarship application. AFTRS’ decision is final and correspondence about decisions will not be entered into. |
| Can I re-apply for future scholarships?
If you are unsuccessful for 2026, you may re-apply for scholarships in the future. You would then need to meet all scholarship eligibility criteria at that time. A new scholarship application, with new supporting documents, would need to be submitted. |
| Is there another round of scholarships later in the year?
Most scholarships are awarded annually. However, there is a second round of applications for the following scholarships:
|
| How do I demonstrate financial need?
Some ways of demonstrating financial need include:
|
| How do I demonstrate proof of residency in an interstate and/or regional or remote area?
You may choose to submit a driver’s licence, utility or phone bill, bank statement, insurance policy or proof of enrolment at a secondary school. The document/s you provide must show your full First and Surname and residential address. |
| Are AFTRS students eligible for any external scholarships?
AFTRS students are often eligible to apply for scholarships offered by external organisations. |
| Is tax payable on scholarship payments?
Scholarship payments may be considered as part of your income in a financial year and therefore subject to tax. Please note AFTRS cannot give advice about taxation or legal issues so you should consider consulting your financial adviser. |
| How do I log back into the Scholarship application portal?
Follow this link https://portal.aftrs.edu.au/s/ to log back into the Scholarship application portal. |
| What supporting documentation needs to be certified and who can certify a document?
Any documents provided as support material with your application must be certified copies. AFTRS’ certification requirements are available at https://www.aftrs.edu.au/students/future-students/how-to-apply/. |
SCHOLARSHIPS
Alumni and Industry Scholarship
Course: Master of Arts: Screen
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Be able to demonstrate financial need
- Identify as a person from an under-represented group in the Australian screen industry
- Be an applicant for a place in the Master of Arts Screen in 2026
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
One scholarship is offered providing a contribution towards living expenses, relocation costs, study resources or other costs. The maximum value of this scholarship is $25,000* payable over the duration of the course.
This scholarship is supported by the Alumni and Industry Fund, made possible through the generous donations of AFTRS Alumni and Industry community.
Scholarship applications are separate from course applications. You will need to submit an application for both.
*Refer to the Scholarship Guidelines for more information.
Anita Jacoby Trailblazer Scholarship
Course: Master of Arts Screen: Business
This Scholarship is open to new and continuing AFTRS students.
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Be female identifying or gender diverse
- Be an applicant for a place in the Master of Arts Screen: Business in 2026 or be enrolled in the Master of Arts Screen: Business
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
One scholarship is offered providing a contribution towards living expenses, educational resources or other related costs. The maximum value of this scholarship is $7,480* payable for the remaining duration of the course from the time it is awarded. For continuing students, no back payment is provided.
This scholarship is made possible through the generous support of Anita Jacoby.
Scholarship applications are separate from course applications. You will need to submit an application for both.
*Refer to the Scholarship Guidelines for more information.
ARN Radio and Podcasting Scholarship
Course: Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Identify as a person from an under-represented group in the Australian radio and podcast industries
- Be an applicant for a place in the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting in 2026
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
One scholarship is offered, providing a contribution towards a living allowance or relocations costs, study resources, fees or other costs. Furthermore, a paid internship for one day per week for one semester and 12 month full-time or part-time employment with an ARN station (at a location agreed with ARN) and/or podcasting division are offered.
The maximum value of this scholarship is $15,000* payable over the duration of the course.
The scholarship is made possible through the generous support of ARN.
Scholarship applications are separate from course applications. You will need to submit an application for both.
*Refer to the Scholarship Guidelines for more information.
AUSTRALIA FOR UNHCR BEDDIE SCHOLARSHIP
Course: Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Be a refugee
- Be an applicant for a place in the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production in 2026
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident
- Be able to demonstrate an interest in film or television
- Be willing to engage in Australia for UNHCR and Public Education Foundation events
- Commit to reporting your progress during the course and after graduation
One scholarship is offered, providing full tuition in the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production (3 years, full time, indicative course tuition fee is $52,128) and a contribution towards living expenses such as transport, technology costs and equipment ($10,000 pa). Furthermore, an unpaid internship in the Marketing team at Australia for UNHCR is offered throughout the course.
The value of this scholarship is more than $80,000*, payable over the duration of the course.
The scholarship is made possible through the generous support of Australia for UNHCR, Francesca Beddie and AFTRS.
Scholarship applications are separate from course applications. You will need to submit an application for both.
*Refer to the Public Education Foundation website for more details or to apply. Applications open on 30 June 2025 and close 28 October 2025.
Constellation Creatives Scholarship
Course: Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Identify as an Asian-Australian or Asian-New Zealander
- Be an applicant for a place in the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production in 2026
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
One scholarship is offered providing a contribution towards living expenses, educational resources or other related costs. The maximum value of this scholarship is $15,000* payable over the duration of the course.
An additional, one-off payment of $5,000 is offered to the recipient in year three of the course if they are selected for an internship in the Industry Placement elective.
This scholarship is made possible through the generous support of Constellation Creatives.
Scholarship applications are separate from course applications. You will need to submit an application for both.
*Refer to the Scholarship Guidelines for more information.
CRA Regional Radio Scholarship
Course: Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Reside outside the metropolitan areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane
- Be an applicant for a place in the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting in 2026
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
One scholarship is offered providing a contribution towards living expenses and educational costs. Furthermore, a two-week paid internship with a commercial radio station and or podcasting division (at a location to be agreed with CRA) is offered. The maximum value of this scholarship is $10,000* payable over the duration of the course.
This scholarship is made possible through the generous support of Commercial Radio and Audio (CRA).
Scholarship applications are separate from course applications. You will need to submit an application for both.
*Refer to the Scholarship Guidelines for more information.
Craft Excellence Scholarship
Course: Master of Arts Screen
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Be female identifying or gender diverse
- Demonstrate craft excellence in a specific identified craft area (in either cinematography, sound, documentary or editing)
- Be an applicant for a place in the Master of Arts Screen in 2026
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
One scholarship is offered providing a contribution towards living expenses, relocation costs, educational resources or other related costs. The maximum value of this scholarship is $25,000* payable over the duration of the course.
This scholarship is made possible through the generous support of AFTRS.
Scholarship applications are separate from course applications. You will need to submit an application for both.
*Refer to the Scholarship Guidelines for more information.
EQUITY SCHOLARSHIPS
Courses: Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production, Master of Arts Screen, Master of Arts Screen: Business and Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting.
This scholarship is open to new and continuing AFTRS students.
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Be experiencing financial need as described in the Scholarship Guidelines
- Be an applicant for a place in the Master of Arts Screen, Master of Arts Screen: Business , Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production or the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting
- Be enrolled in the Master of Arts Screen, Master of Arts Screen: Business , Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production or the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
This scholarship is intended to support people from low socio-economic backgrounds or who are otherwise under-represented in higher education to study at AFTRS. The amount of support varies by course. The scholarship is one semester only.
AFTRS Equity Scholarships are made possible through the generous support of the Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust.
Scholarship applications are separate from course applications. You will need to submit an application for both.
*Refer to the Scholarship Guidelines for more information.
FIRST NATIONS SCHOLARSHIPS
Courses: Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production, Master of Arts Screen, Master of Arts Screen: Business or Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting.
These scholarships are open to new and continuing AFTRS students.
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Identify as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and be accepted as such within your community.
- Show you are in need of financial assistance to meet the costs associated with studying at AFTRS OR show significant creative excellence and how your career aspirations would benefit.
- Show how this scholarship would support you to complete the course.
- Be an applicant or continuing student in the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production, Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting, Master of Arts Screen or Master of Arts Screen: Business
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen.
This scholarship is intended to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with the costs associated with higher education at AFTRS. The amount of support varies by course and may also vary depending on a student’s individual circumstances. The scholarship is for the academic year 2026 only.
AFTRS First Nations Scholarships are made possible through the generous support of the Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust.
Scholarship applications are separate from course applications. You will need to submit an application for both.
*Refer to the Scholarship Guidelines for more information.
Glenn Daniel Smooth FM Scholarship
Course: Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Demonstrate an interest in news and journalism
- Be an applicant for a place in the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting in 2026
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
One scholarship is offered providing a contribution towards living expenses, relocation costs, study resources or other costs. The maximum value of this scholarship is $10,000* payable over the duration of the course.
This scholarship is made possible through the generous support of Smooth FM.
Scholarship applications are separate from course applications. You will need to submit an application for both.
*Refer to the Scholarship Guidelines for more information.
Glenn Wheatley EON Innovation Scholarship
Course: Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Have an innovative or entrepreneurial idea that relates to any aspect of radio, podcasting or the audio industry
- Be an applicant for a place in the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting in 2026
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
One scholarship is offered providing a contribution towards living expenses, relocation costs, study resources or other costs. Furthermore, a one-week unpaid work placement at Sunshine Coast broadcasters MixFM and SeaFM (including airfares and accommodation if required) is offered. The maximum value of this scholarship is $10,000* payable over the duration of the course.
This scholarship is made possible through the generous support of the EON Group and Talentworks.
Scholarship applications are separate from course applications. You will need to submit an application for both.
*Refer to the Scholarship Guidelines for more information.
ONBASS GIANT STEPS SCHOLARSHIP
Course: Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Be able to demonstrate financial need
- Be an applicant for a place in the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production in 2026
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
One scholarship is offered providing a contribution towards living expenses, relocation costs, study resources, fees or other costs. The maximum value of this scholarship is $30,000* payable over the duration of the course.
This scholarship is made possible through the generous support of the Gentle Giant Media Group and the Onbass Foundation.
Scholarship applications are separate from course applications. You will need to submit an application for both.
*Refer to the Scholarship Guidelines for more information.
Pariya Taherzadeh Radio & Podcasting Scholarship
Course: Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Have experienced barriers to accessing higher education
- Be an applicant for a place in the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting in 2026
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
Up to two scholarships are offered providing a contribution towards living expenses, relocation costs, study resources or other costs. Furthermore, an optional unpaid internship at talent@pariya is offered during the course of study. If one scholarship is awarded, the maximum value of this scholarship is $20,000*. If two scholarships are awarded, the maximum value of each scholarship is $10,000*. This scholarship is payable over the duration of the course.
This scholarship is made possible through the generous support of Pariya Taherzadeh.
Scholarship applications are separate from course applications. You will need to submit an application for both.
*Refer to the Scholarship Guidelines for more information.
Women in Cinematography Scholarship sponsored by Sony
Course: Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production (Year 3)
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Be a female or gender diverse student successfully enrolled in the 2026 Cinematography elective in semester one or semester two for the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production Year 3
- Successfully complete all subjects with at least 80% attendance for the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production Year 2 in 2025
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
Up to two scholarships are offered providing a contribution towards living expenses. The maximum value of each scholarship is $3,000*. The scholarship is payable in the semester that the recipient completes the Cinematography elective.
This scholarship is made possible through the generous support of Sony.
You will need to submit a scholarship application.
*Refer to the Scholarship Guidelines for more information. (Please note, at this time the 2026 Guidelines have not been published and the application period is TBC.)
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Special financial assistance
AFTRS provides limited financial assistance for students experiencing severe or sudden financial hardship that may affect their ability to take up the offer of a place in a course of study or continue in a course of study.
Refer to the application for Financial Assistance Form.
Government support
For detailed information on the following allowances see the Centrelink website.
Austudy, Abstudy and Youth Allowance
Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production and other full-time students enrolled at AFTRS may be eligible for government income support including Austudy, Abstudy or Youth Allowance.
Youth Allowance and Austudy
If you are aged between 16-to-24 you may be eligible for support through Youth Allowance. If you are aged 25 and over, you may be eligible for support through Austudy. To be eligible for Youth Allowance or Austudy you must be:
- An Australian resident, and
- Enrolled in a full-time award course, and
- Enrolled in an undergraduate or appropriate postgraduate course (up to Graduate Diploma level).
Abstudy
If you are an Indigenous student and aged over 14 you may be eligible for Abstudy if you are:
- An Australian citizen, and
- Enrolled in a part-time or full-time award course, and
- Enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate course (up to Doctorate level).
Your eligibility will also depend on your and/or your partner’s or parents’ income and assets.
Please note: The Master of Arts Screen course is not an approved course for students to receive Austudy, Youth Allowance (student) and Pensioner Education Supplement through Centrelink.
FEE-HELP
For information about FEE-HELP, go to Student Fees.
DISCLAIMER ** Changes in circumstances may impact upon the accuracy or currency of information. While AFTRS takes all due care to ensure that the information is accurate, it reserves the right to vary any information described here without notice.