The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) is proud to announce that scholarship applications are now open for our 2026 Award Course student intakes. These scholarships provide vital financial and practical support to help students from all walks of life access AFTRS’ world-leading screen and audio education.
Emerging creatives across Australia have the opportunity to apply for more than 40 scholarships in our Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production, Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting, Master of Arts Screen, and Master of Arts Screen: Business programs.
Delivered in partnership with the AFTRS community, industry leaders, and alumni, these scholarships prioritise access and equity, and are a powerful investment in the future of Australian storytelling.
Among a raft of recent and long-standing scholarships, the prestigious Onbass Giant Steps Scholarship returns for its sixth year in 2026, with an increase in value from $22,500 to $30,000, escalating its mission to support gifted storytellers experiencing financial need.
Since 2020, this scholarship – made possible through the generous support of the Gentle Giant Media Group and the Onbass Foundation – has helped students cover living expenses, relocation costs, study resources, and more.
Founder and CEO of the Gentle Giant Media Group and a director of the Onbass Fund, Greg Basser, and his wife, Kiera O’Neill, are strongly committed to building and supporting creative talent from the grassroots, such as next-gen storyteller Helena Ivy Williams.
Helena, currently studying the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production at AFTRS is the most recent recipient of the scholarship, which she said had enabled her to follow her dreams.
“[This] scholarship has not only given me the opportunity to attend AFTRS but to leap in with enthusiasm, confidence and the determination to make the most of this amazing opportunity,” she said. “I feel deeply passionate about the filmmaking craft and endeavour to create a space for real people to share their authentic truths with others.”
Head of Fundraising and Development Andrew Markwell said support from people like Greg and Kiera was vital in fulfilling AFTRS’ commitment to creating greater access to world-class education and building a more inclusive and representative screen industry.
“We know scholarships can be life-changing – they help break down barriers to education to ensure talent is recognised and nurtured,” Andrew said. “AFTRS invites individuals, organisations, and industry leaders to join our community and support future creatives. By donating or establishing a scholarship, you can help ensure that a career in screen and audio is accessible to all Australians – regardless of background, location and circumstance.”
INAUGURAL SCHOLARSHIPS
AFTRS’ growing scholarship opportunities included four new scholarships in 2025, delivered in partnership with The HOYTS Group, the Dylan Alcott Foundation, Anita Jacoby and Constellation Creatives, the latter two of which will again be offered in 2026.
The HOYTS Group is aligned with the AFTRS commitment to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples overcome the barriers to education and fulfil their creative dreams and goals. The HOYTS Group First Nations Scholarship covers the tuition fee for the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production course. It also includes a $2000 travel bursary to help the recipient and their family attend Graduation in Sydney.
The inaugural recipient of The HOYTS Group First Nations Scholarship Jai (surname withheld) said: “This scholarship means the world to me, as it opens up a path that I once thought was closed. When I came to AFTRS, I already had amassed a substantial student debt, so I believed that I would reach the HECS cap before I could complete a Master’s degree. Now, thanks to HOYTS, I [will be able to] continue studying beyond a Bachelor’s degree, refining my craft and finding my place in this industry.”
The Dylan Alcott Foundation Scholarship aims to break down barriers to education and empower aspiring filmmakers with a disability to achieve their creative dreams. This opportunity for a young Australian living with a disability offers one recipient full tuition for the three-year Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production course. Valued at over $50,000, this scholarship removes a significant financial hurdle, allowing a talented student to focus on their studies and hone their filmmaking skills.
Saul Stavanger, the inaugural recipient of the Dylan Alcott Foundation Scholarship, said: “The visual language of film is something that has transcended many barriers in my life, and through this scholarship, it is also transcending economic ones. Being able to attend AFTRS without the weight of debt has been a huge relief, and I am incredibly grateful to the Dylan Alcott Foundation for their support.”
The Anita Jacoby Trailblazer Scholarship seeks to empower outstanding female-identifying or gender-diverse applicants from across Australia who demonstrate remarkable leadership skills and entrepreneurial spirit while pursuing the Master of Arts in Screen: Business. This scholarship helps cover living expenses, educational materials, and other related costs, made possible through the generous support of acclaimed television producer and journalist Anita Jacoby.
Sian Pannach, the inaugural recipient of this scholarship, said: “I am incredibly grateful to receive the Anita Jacoby Trailblazer Scholarship. It provides me the support to keep building the kind of producer I hope to be – someone who listens, leads with intention, and pays it forward.”
The Constellation Creatives Scholarship aims to support and develop the career of an individual of Asian descent in the Australian screen industry by providing financial support for living expenses, educational resources or other related costs in the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production course. An additional one-off payment of $5000 is available to the recipient in Year 3 of the course if they choose the Industry Placement elective. The scholarship is made possible through the generous support of Orion Lee.
Juno Shean, the inaugural recipient of the Constellations Creatives Scholarship, said: “I am a proud Korean-Australian storyteller and I hope that AFTRS can be a launchpad into a position where I can uplift and create positive impact for my community. This scholarship helps me immensely, especially due to moving out from Perth, and to have a little more financial security is so helpful.”
FIRST NATIONS SCHOLARSHIPS
In addition to The HOYTS Group First Nations Scholarship, the First Nations Creative Excellence Scholarship, supported by Kenneth Myer Fellowship Trust, provides opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. It is awarded to one or more recipients each year based on creative excellence or equity.
Sasha Louise Parlett, the First Nations Creative Excellence Scholarship recipient, said: “This scholarship means I can move to Sydney to study in my Masters in Directing. It allows me to focus on my studies. My goal is to be a First Nations director, highlighting First Nations’ and women’s stories.”
SCREEN SCHOLARSHIPS
Among the 40 scholarships supporting studies at AFTRS, the Australia for UNHCR Beddie Scholarship – a collaboration between the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS), Australia for UNHCR, Francesca Beddie and the Public Education Foundation – is offered every three years and is currently open for applications for the 2026 intake. The scholarship supports former refugees in pursuing careers in the creative industries, covering full tuition for the Bachelor of Arts in Screen: Production, with allocations for living expenses and an internship in Australia with the UNHCR.
The AFTRS Craft Excellence Scholarship supports female-identifying applicants who demonstrate excellence in craft in the disciplines of cinematography, sound, documentary, and editing in the Master of Arts Screen program. The scholarship is valued at $25,000 and provides a contribution towards living expenses, relocation costs, or study resources.
Angie Geng, the Craft Excellence Scholarship recipient, said: “I want to create work that represents communities like mine, those that experience life as a woman, a carer and an immigrant. These roles have valuable stories to be told, yet it is also these roles that make it much more difficult to pursue a career in the arts. This scholarship is the bridge between wish and reality, it alleviates a significant degree of financial strain and empowers me with the freedom to take risks, and to tell stories.”
As part of the continuing work to deliver equitable opportunities for women in cinematography, the Women in Cinematography Scholarship, sponsored by SONY, supports female or gender-diverse students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production, to address the pronounced gender inequality in the cinematography craft area of the screen industry.
Emily Weeks, one of the Women in Cinematography Scholarship recipients, said: “The Women in Cinematography Scholarship is so much more than just financial support – it’s an empowering opportunity for women in the industry to develop our unique styles and voices, refine our craft both technically and artistically, and push the boundaries of cinematography. It provides a platform to explore innovative techniques and challenge ourselves to create something truly special.”
Christina Booth, another Women in Cinematography Scholarship recipient, added: “This scholarship has been a part of making me feel worthy and reassured in my skills. Cinematography is something I had always hoped to do but had doubt in myself, and my skills, and felt it was an industry a broke little Rooty Hill girl could never financially get into. The support of AFTRS and Sony have broken the constraints and doubt and allowed me the opportunity to flourish.”
Earlier this year, emerging director Ricky Townsend was announced as the second recipient of the AFTRS Alumni & Industry Fund Scholarship, joining the 2024 inaugural recipient, screenwriter Sarah Chahine. Both were recognised for their creative excellence. The AFTRS Alumni Advisory Group established the Alumni & Industry Scholarship Fund to award an annual scholarship in the Master of Arts Screen program to expand and enrich the School’s community and elevate innovative storytellers and diverse voices.
AUDIO SCHOLARSHIPS
Students pursuing a career in radio and broadcasting also have access to a range of scholarships dedicated to radio studies: the Glenn Daniel Smooth FM; Glenn Wheatley EON Innovation; Pariya Taherzadeh Radio and Podcasting; and CRA Regional Radio scholarships. These scholarships expand and enrich the school’s student community by recognising and supporting outstanding Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting students, selected based on creative excellence and interest in radio news or journalism, innovation and representation.
Rebecca Graham, the Glenn Daniel Smooth FM Scholarship recipient, said: “This incredible opportunity not only supports my studies but also affirms my passion for news, journalism and storytelling and my commitment to excellence in radio and audio. Glenn Daniel’s legacy as a trusted journalist and broadcaster is truly inspiring, and I am committed to honouring his memory through my work. His dedication to ethical storytelling and connection with audiences sets a standard I aspire to uphold.”
Claire Hazzard, the Glenn Wheatley EON Innovation Scholarship recipient, said: “Receiving the Glenn Wheatley EON Innovation Scholarship is an honour which has enabled me to pursue my passion to study radio. Without it, study in this field would not have been possible for me. I love connecting with audiences, and after my time at AFTRS I’m keen to land a role in the production or announcing space.”
Dania Jordan, the Pariya Taherzadeh Radio and Podcasting Scholarship recipient, said: “I am a passionate woman who firmly believes in the power of storytelling through journalism to change the world. That’s why I am deeply grateful, humbled, and proud to have been appointed as the recipient of the Pariya Taherzadeh Radio & Podcasting Scholarship by the Australian Film Television and Radio School.”
Kwame Slusher, the CRA Regional Radio Scholarship recipient, said: “The scholarship has given me the chance to take a giant step forward in my radio and podcasting career! It’s also been a very validating experience recognising the skills that I have already achieved to this point.”
Applications for AFTRS 2026 award courses and scholarships are now open. To learn more about how to apply for the variety of scholarships on offer at AFTRS, please visit:
