NIDA offers a range of scholarships to support students to attend NIDA, helping to cover academic and living expenses.
NIDA is committed to building a diverse community of students and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who are Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and people with a disability.
Government financial support is also available to some NIDA students. Information about this can be found on the Services Australia website, including information about the relocation scholarship.
Scholarships for the 2025 intake are listed below with more to be announced over the coming months, applications for Scholarships can be made once a course application is completed.
See below for the full list of scholarships that were offered for the 2024 intake.
If you have any questions about NIDA’s scholarships, please email scholarships@nida.edu.au
Most scholarships are available to students who can demonstrate financial need. There are some scholarships available specifically for students from rural or remote areas, female-identifying students, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people who are Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD).
Scholarships are available for domestic applicants (those who are citizens or permanent residents of Australia, a citizen of New Zealand or the holder of an Australian humanitarian visa).
Some scholarships are awarded prior to arrival at NIDA and will support students in their first year, or in some cases – through their whole NIDA journey.
We also offer some scholarships to our first, second and third year students, and these are offered at the beginning of each academic year. Scholarships are paid to students on a fortnightly basis during the academic term.
Eligible students entering their first, second or third year in a full-time Higher Education course (Bachelor or Master of Fine Arts degrees) are able to apply for a scholarship at the beginning of the academic year.
Scholarship applications for Current Students will re-open at the beginning of 2025.
Scholarships applications for new students starting in the 2025 intake are now open.
To apply for scholarships at NIDA, you need to first submit your course application form(s) to study with us. Once they are completed, you can also submit your scholarship application form. There is one form, which is used for all scholarships.
After your audition or interview, if you are offered a place at NIDA, we will then assess your scholarship application and be in touch.
You will need to submit documentation to support your application and may need to attend an interview.
If awarded a scholarship, you will receive payments on a fortnightly basis during the academic term. Additionally, some NIDA students may be eligible for government financial support. Information about this can be found on the Services Australia website, including information about their relocation scholarship.
If you have any questions or require further information about scholarships at NIDA, please feel free to reach out to us via email at scholarships@nida.edu.au
2025 Scholarships
|
Name of scholarship
|
Student criteria | Scholarship amount per year | Total Scholarship amount awarded across degree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Balnaves Foundation First Nations Scholarship | BFA First Nations student experiencing financial need. Paid over 3 years. This scholarship includes:
|
$34,000.00 | $102,000.00 | |
| The Dylan Alcott Foundation Scholarship |
Applicants to the BFA, age 26 or under, living with a disability, or long-term medical condition. Paid over 3 years to wipe tuition fees and cover some living expenses. |
$20,000.00 | $60,000.00 | |
| The Chrysanthy and Tessa Mallos Memorial Scholarship | BFA Design for Performance student of Hellenic (Greek) or First Nations background experiencing financial need. Paid over 3 years. | $17,333.00 | $52,000.00 | |
| Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship (BFA) | BFA Acting student experiencing financial need who is from remote or regional Australia. Paid over 3 years. | $15,000.00 | $45,000.00 | |
| Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship (MFA) | MFA Directing student experiencing financial need who is from remote or regional Australia. | n/a | $20,000.00 | |
| ARA First Nations Scholarship | BFA First Nations student experiencing financial need. Paid over 3 years. | $15,000.00 | $45,000.00 | |
| Andrew Cameron AM & Cathy Cameron Scholarship | Applicants to MFA Directing or Dramatic Writing student experiencing financial need. |
n/a |
$30,000.00 | |
| Animal Logic Entertainment Scholarship | MFA Directing or Dramatic Writing First Nations student or student who is traditionally underpresented in the industry. | n/a | $30,000.00 | |
| Anthony and Jacqueline Kermick Scholarship | BFA student experiencing financial need. | $8,333.00 | $25,000.00 | |
| Robyn Lassman Scholarship | Female BFA student from remote or regional NSW experiencing financial need. | $5,000.00 | $15,000.00 | |
| Andrew Michael and Michelle Brooks Scholarship | Applicants to MFA Directing or Dramatic Writing student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $15,000.00 | |
| Tim Fairfax AC Scholarships x 13 (one-year) | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need who are from remote or regional Australia. | 13 x $10,000.00 1 x $5,000.00 |
13 x $10,000.00 1 x $5,000.00 |
|
| Geoff Richards Memorial Scholarships x 3 | BFA (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) students experiencing financial need. | n/a | 3 x $4,166.00 | |
| Seaborn, Broughton and Walford Foundation Scholarship | BFA student experiencing financial need, | n/a | $10,000.00 | |
| Earl and Katie Evans Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $10,000.00 | |
| Finch Scholarship | MFA Directing student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $10,000.00 | |
| Susie Dickson Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $10,000.00 | |
| David Cielak Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $10,000.00 | |
| Technical Direction Company (TDC) Scholarship | Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $10,000.00 | |
| The Serpentine Foundation Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $9,000.00 | |
| Laidlaw Foundation Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $8,000.00 | |
| Brian Walsh Memorial Scholarship | BFA Acting student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $8,000.00 | |
| The Cowled Foundation Scholarship | BFA Design for Performance student, with priority given to young women from regional or remote Australia, experiencing financial need | n/a | $7,500.00 | |
| David and Lorraine Winterbottom Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $7,500.00 | |
| Sandra and Barry Smorgon Family Foundation Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $7,500.00 | |
| June Penn Scholarship | Female BFA (Acting) students experiencing financial need. | n/a | $6,000.00 | |
| Shanahan Management Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need | n/a | $6,000.00 | |
| NIDA Scholarship | Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| NIDA Scholarship | Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| The Bowness Family Foundation Scholarship | BFA Technical Theatre and Stage Management or Design for Performance student experiencing financial need from a regional or remote area. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| Paula Liveris and Andrew Liveris Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| Nanette and Stephen Ainsworth Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| Andrew and Andrea Banks Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| Tracie Cielak Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| Foundation Theatres Scholarship | BFA Technical Theatre and Stage Management experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| Andrew Michael and Michelle Brooks Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| Sarah Miller AM Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| JONES Theatrical Group Scholarship | BFA Technical Theatre and Stage Management experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| Ballard Property Group Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| Richard and Barbara Refshauge Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| Erin and Billie Ostadel Memorial Scholarship | An international placement for BFA Props and Effects third year student. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| Donald and Leslie Parsonage Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| James and Melissa Marshall Scholarship | BFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| John and Gail Marshall Scholarship | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need. | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| Ezekiel Solomon AM Scholarship | Applicants to BFA or MFA for a student in financial need | n/a | $5,000.00 | |
| Professor Ross Steele AM Scholarship | Supporting BFA (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) students with financial need | n/a | $4,500.00 | |
| There is also a Scholarship Fund, with contributions to NIDA Scholarships from the following donors: | ||||
| Dr John Keogh and Prof Nadia Badawi | n/a | $3,500.00 | ||
| Quinton and Donella Freeman | n/a | $2,500.00 | ||
| Ian Learmouth | n/a | $2,500.00 | ||
| Julianne Maxwell | n/a | $2,500.00 | ||
| Bruce Keebaugh | n/a | $2,500.00 | ||
| Rob White and Lisa Hamilton | n/a | $2,000.00 | ||
| Colin Fong | n/a | $2,000.00 | ||
| Warwick Cooper | n/a | $2,000.00 | ||
| Noel Cislowski AM & Hetty Cislowski | n/a | $2,000.00 | ||
| Prof Elizabeth Elliott AM and Dr David Dossestor | n/a | $1,500.00 | ||
| Chris Ramos | n/a | $1,250.00 | ||
| Sujeet Jena | n/a | $1,200.00 | ||
| Susan and Paul Hotz | n/a | $1,200.00 | ||
| Ted Blamey | n/a | $1,250.00 | ||
| Naomi Parry | n/a | $1,200.00 | ||
| Prof Elizabeth More AM | n/a | $1,200.00 | ||
| Christopher Webber and Christopher Cosier | n/a | $1,200.00 | ||
| Sue Pike | n/a | $1,200.00 | ||
| Philip Cordony and Helen Dalley | n/a | $1,200.00 | ||
| Kate Armati | n/a | $1,200.00 | ||
| Sam Archer | n/a | $1,000.00 | ||
| Alex and Rosie Linden | n/a | $1,000.00 | ||
2024 Scholarships
|
Name of
scholarship
|
Student criteria | Total Scholarship Amount awarded across degree |
|---|---|---|
| The Balnaves Foundation First Nations Scholarship | First Nations student experiencing financial need. $90,000 paid
over three years ($30,000 per year) This scholarship includes: *mentoring with a First Nations Arts Industry mentor for each scholarship recipient *additional travel home if required *funding for an arranged On Country experience for each scholarship recipient one time during their study *a Paid Internship for each of the scholarship recipients at the successful conclusion of their study. |
$90,000.00 |
| The Prime Video Scholarships x 2 |
These scholarships are intended to assist women and non-binary MFA (Dramatic Writing) or MFA (Directing) applicants with intersectional backgrounds, including but not limited to gender identity, cultural identity, people with a disability, or people within the LGBTQIA+ community. |
$50,000.00 |
| The Brian Walsh Memorial Scholarship | BFA Acting student in financial need | $45,000.00 |
| Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship | Applicants to BFA (Acting) for a student in financial need who is from remote or regional Australia. This scholarship totals $45,000 paid over 3 years | $45,000.00 |
| WeirAnderson Foundation Scholarship | Scholarship for a female Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting student from a regional and remote area in financial need. ($45,000 over 3 years) | $45,000.00 |
| The YouTube Scholarship | Applicants to BFA from a background historically underrepresented in the screen and stage industry ($43,500 paid over 3 years) | $45,000.00 |
| William Rubensohn Foundation Scholarship X 2 | Scholarship for a Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting student in financial need. While The Foundation would prefer the students to come from country NSW, this is not a requisite of the scholarship.($30,000 over 3 years) | $30,000.00 |
| Ingham’s First Nations Scholarship x 2 | MFA Directing or Writing First Nations students | $30,000.00 |
| Andrew Cameron AM & Cathy Cameron Scholarship | Applicants to MFA (Directing) or MFA (Dramatic Writing) student in financial need | $30,000.00 |
| Animal Logic Entertainment Scholarship | MFA Directing or MFA Dramatic Writing student who identifies as Indigenous or has traditionally been underrepresented in the industry | $30,000.00 |
| The Helen Dumbrell Scholarship | Applicants to BFA (Acting) for a student experiencing financial need ($30,000 paid over 3 years) | $27,000.00 |
| Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship | Applicants to MFA (Directing) for a student in financial need | $15,000.00 |
| Luminis Foundation Indigenous Fellowship for Cultural Leadership | Indigenous applicants to MFA (Cultural Leadership) | $15,000.00 |
| Technical Direction Company Scholarship | Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services students experiencing financial need | $15,000.00 |
| ARA Group Scholarship x3 | BFA First Nations student | $10,000.00 |
| David Cielak Scholarship | BFA or MFA student with financial need | $10,000.00 |
| Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship x 14 | BFA or MFA student with financial need from remote or regional Australia $10,000 | $10,000.00 |
| Edward Federman Scholarship | Applicants to MFA (Dramatic Writing) for a student experiencing financial need | $10,000.00 |
| Edward Federman Scholarship | Applicants to MFA (Dramatic Writing) for a female student who identifies as Indigenous or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) | $10,000.00 |
| Finch Scholarship | MFA Directing student experiencing financial need | $10,000.00 |
| Finch Scholarship | MFA Dramatic Writing student experiencing financial need | $10,000.00 |
| LOWES Menswear Scholarship | BFA or MFA students with financial needs | $10,000.00 |
| The Serpentine Foundation Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $10,000.00 |
| Laidlaw Foundation Scholarship | BFA or MFA students with financial need | $8,000.00 |
| Robert Morgan Scholarship | BFA or MFA students with financial need | $7,500.00 |
| Sandra and Barry Smorgon Family Foundation Scholarship | BFA or MFA student with financial need | $7,500.00 |
| Shanahan Management Scholarship | BFA student experiencing financial need | $6,000.00 |
| June Penn Scholarship | One female BFA (Acting) students with financial need | $6,000.00 |
| The Frank Thring Scholarship x 4 | Scholarship for a BFA or MFA for one female and one male student based on skill expertise and achievements | $6,000.00 |
| The Geoffrey Rothwell Scholarship | BFA or MFA student with financial need | $6,000.00 |
| Roy and Sandy Abrams Scholarship | BFA students experiencing financial need | $5,000.00 |
| The Bowness Family Foundation Scholarship | BFA Technical Theatre and Stage Management or Design for Performance student experiencing financial need | $5,000.00 |
| Ballard Property Group Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $5,000.00 |
| June Baker Scholarship | BFA or MFA students with financial needs | $5,000.00 |
| Foundation Theatres Scholarship | BFA Technical Theatre and Stage Management experiencing financial need | $5,000.00 |
| Mel Gibson and Village Roadshow scholarship x 2 | BFA students experiencing financial need | $5,000.00 |
| The Ben Gannon AO Scholarship x 3 | BFA or MFA student based on financial need for 1 year | $5,000.00 |
| JONES Theatrical Group Scholarship | BFA Technical Theatre and Stage Management experiencing financial need | $5,000.00 |
| James & Melissa Marshall Scholarship | BFA student experiencing financial need | $5,000.00 |
| David Marshall Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $5,000.00 |
| The Dawn O’Donnell Scholarship x 6 | Supporting women students in BFA, Technical Theatre and Stage Management student demonstrating financial need or Directing students | $5,000.00 |
| Donald and Leslie Parsonage Scholarship | BFA or MFA students with financial needs | $5,000.00 |
| Richard and Barbara Refshauge Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $5,000.00 |
| Ezekiel Solomon, AM Scholarship | BFA or MFA student with financial need | $5,000.00 |
| The Prof Ross Steel Scholarship | Applicants to BFA or MFA for a student in financial need | $4,500.00 |
| Geoff Richards Memorial Scholarship x 3 | Supporting BFA (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) students with financial need | $4,000.00 |
| The J.G. Reynolds memorial Scholarship x 5 | MFA and BFA students aged under 25 years old | $4,000.00 |
| Lisa Hamilton and Rob White Scholarship | BFA Technical Theatre and Stage Management student experiencing financial need | $3,000 |
| There is also a Scholarship Fund, with contributions from the following: | ||
| Chrissy Comino Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,500.00 |
| Dr John Keogh and Professor Nadia Badawi Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,500.00 |
| John and Renay Robinson Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,500.00 |
| Kathy White Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,500.00 |
| Theatre Royal Sydney Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,500.00 |
| Professor Elizabeth More, AM Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,450.00 |
| The Gillespie/Price Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,000.00 |
| Colin Fong Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,000.00 |
| Noel Cislowski AM & Hetty Cislowski Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,500.00 |
| Warwick Cooper Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,500.00 |
| Sujeet Jena Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,250.00 |
| Anna Samios Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,250.00 |
| Kate Armati Scholarship | BFA students experiencing financial need | $1,250.00 |
| Professor Elizabeth Elliott, AM Scholarship | BFA students experiencing financial need | $1,250.00 |
| Ted Blamey Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,200.00 |
| Sam Archer Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,000.00 |
| Alex and Rosie Linden | BFA or MFA student demonstrating financial need | $1,000.00 |
Student Spotlight – Bakri Idris Mohamed
Meet Bakri Idris Mohamed, 2022 YouTube Scholarship recipient, and hear about his journey to NIDA and his experience in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) program so far.
Student Spotlight – Michiru Encinas
Meet Michiru Encinas, 2021 YouTube Scholarship recipient, and hear about her journey to NIDA and her experience in the Bachelor or Fine Arts (Costume) program so far.
Thank you to our supporters
NIDA scholarships and fellowships are made possible through the generosity of donors, trusts and foundations, corporate partners, and bequests through the NIDA Foundation Trust.
We are grateful for their support of scholarships and funding towards NIDA’s education and training.
If you would like to support our students by contributing to our Scholarship Fund, learn more here. Alternatively, donate directly here.
