Since its inception in 1973 it has been at the heart of AFTRS’ remit to work hand in hand with industry to ensure the Australian screen and audio sectors have the talent and skills they need to thrive. AFTRS values its role within Australia’s cultural ecosystem, bolstering the capacity and growth of the creative sector. Through partnership, sustaining industry networks is a priority that allows us to both support and be supported by our sector colleagues.
TRAINING
AFTRS trains nationally in both screen and audio. Between 150 and 170 students graduate each year from one of four Award Courses:
- Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production, which trains multi-skilled, adaptable content creators and crew members in entry-level positions
- Master of Arts Screen, offered in nine disciplines: Sound Design, Production Design, Editing, Producing, Music, Cinematography, Documentary, Screenwriting, and Directing
- Masters of Arts Screen: Business, designed for a new generation of leaders in the screen business and media sector
- Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting, tailored to the modern-day audio storyteller across radio, podcasting and multi-platform broadcasting.
Another 2000 are trained through short courses, online and in person, on campus in Sydney and around the country. These courses cater to new entrants into the industry – including those with transferrable skills – as well as to mid-career professionals looking to upskill. Courses include:
- Above-the-line training: Creating a TV Series, Directing, Writers Room, etc.
- Below-the-line training: Location Department, Production Accounting, Premiere Pro, AVID MC101, AVID MC110, Assistant Directing, Assistant Editor (unscripted), Voice Over, Lighting Intensive, etc.
- AFTRS For Business: Podcasting for your Brand, Media Skills, Presentation Skills, etc.
- Customised training: AFTRS partners to design custom training (e.g. Screen Business Essentials with SPA)
- Courses in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and beyond.
AFTRS consults closely with industry via our Industry Advisory Panels which inform our curriculum and the development of new courses.
The School also co-designs training with First Nations communities. This training is delivered nationwide, for example through the On-Country Pathways Program, which seeks to provide pathways into industry (including through AFTRS) for Indigenous talent in screen and audio.
PARTNERSHIPS
AFTRS has more than 50 active partnerships with industry at any given time. These partnerships cover customised training, placements, event sponsorship, venue hire, curriculum design, production exercises and student pathways.
Partners include industry guilds, conferences, festivals, studios, production companies, streamers, TV and radio broadcasters, as well as screen agencies and peak bodies.
AFTRS participates in monthly discussions convened by the Office for the Arts – along with Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), Ausfilm and Screen Australia – committing us to working collaboratively to promote excellence in national screen storytelling and to grow a highly skilled, future-proof workforce. AFTRS also participates in the Workforce Capacity Working Group, which brings together the Federal, State and Territory screen agencies. Alongside NIDA, AFTRS’ focus is on forging clearer talent pathways through education into screen careers and closing current and emerging skills gaps.
AFTRS is in continual dialogue with Screen Australia and the State and Territory screen agencies, gathering intelligence on skilling needs, and providing subsidised access to short courses alongside mentorship and placements.
AFTRS has short course delivery partnerships to train nationwide, including with RMIT (Victoria), Edith Cowan University (Western Australia), Griffith Film School (Queensland), The Mercury (South Australia), Apple Box Studio (Tasmania) and Screenworks (regional).
PLACEMENTS
AFTRS recruits and scaffolds interns, placements and trainees for industry. We aim to provide job-ready talent for both unpaid internships (embedded into our courses) and paid traineeships from 13 weeks to 12 months (for our recent graduates). Many go on to be offered jobs by host organisations.
Recent placements have been secured with The Walt Disney Company Australia (production office, assistant directing, costume, location, post and camera departments), Curio Pictures (12 months), ABC, BBC Studios, Endemol Shine, Eureka, ITV Studios Australia, WildBear, SBS, Animal Logic/Netflix, Seven Network, See-Saw Films, Easy Tiger, Studio Canal, Eureka, McGregor’s Casting, Paramount+ and many others. Radio placements include ARN, Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) and Eon Broadcasting. If you’re interested in hosting a placement, reach out to Head of Industry Engagement Robbie Miles.
AFTRS is uniquely placed to assist beneficiaries of the Location Offset to fulfill their national training requirements. We have a successful track record with partners such as The Walt Disney Company Australia, Marvel Studios and NBC Universal. AFTRS provides access to more than 5000 diverse students, graduates and alumni, trained to work in most positions above and below the line.
We also provide customisable three-day On Set Onboarding training that is perfect for a placement, a new recruit about to walk onto a large set for the first time, or someone transitioning into the screen industry with transferrable skills.
The School collaborates through more than 50 active partnerships to design customised programs that combine formal training, mentorship, placements and industry community engagement. Training partners include NIDA, Screenworks, TAFE NSW, Canberra Institute of Technology, Bus Stop Films, Screen Well, SPA and Entertainment Partners, alongside First Nations and Outreach collaborators nationwide. AFTRS also partners with most screen and audio industry guilds in Australia to ensure our curriculum is up to date and fit for purpose.
RESEARCH
AFTRS is a centre of excellence for industry research. We carry out triennial skills surveys which are shared with industry, host the annual Digital Futures Summit and present case studies at industry conferences year round.
COMMUNITY
Our faculty are industry professionals and AFTRS constantly recruits from industry.
We offer alumni and industry discounted hire of AFTRS venues, including our cinema, lobby and classrooms.
AFTRS hosts film festivals, industry conferences, masterclasses and other events – many of which are open to industry. Industry hirers are also invited to attend annual AFTRS showcases where they can spot emerging talent from the ranks of our graduates.
We collaborate with broadcasters and exhibitors to provide exhibition opportunities for student works made at the School. This includes showcases on SBS On Demand, ABC iView and DocPlay, prestigious screenings at Westpac OpenAir Cinema on Sydney Harbour, or programs that tour regional and interstate film festivals. AFTRS partners with the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC), presenting the Leading Lights program, which sees emerging and diverse non-fiction storytellers offered exclusive professional development opportunities.
Students in the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting engage audiences through live radio broadcasts such as AFTRS FM and Show Radio, our 30-year partnership with the Royal Easter Show. Students who study remotely also undertake their practical activities at local radio stations.
Finally, AFTRS is grateful for the generosity of organisations in the screen and audio sector who partner with the School to subsidise scholarships for students from under-represented groups or low socio-economic backgrounds. These organisations include Sony, ARN, The HOYTS Group, EON Broadcasting, and CRA. We invite alumni and industry to donate into the Alumni & Industry Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to deserving students every year.