NIDA acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we learn and tell stories, the Bidjigal, Gadigal, Dharawal and Dharug peoples, and we pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present.

ENTER

Scholarships

NIDA offers a range of scholarships to support students to attend NIDA, helping to cover academic and living expenses for students in financial need. 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.

Scholarships for the 2025 intake are listed below and are awarded in two rounds:

  • Life-Changing Scholarships for new students are awarded after course offers are made in December. This round has now closed.
  • Enrolled Scholarships for first, second and third year students are offered at the beginning of each academic year. The application for Enrolled scholarships will be available from 13 January 2025.

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.

If you have any questions about NIDA’s scholarships, please email [email protected]

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 an Enrolled Scholarship at the beginning of the academic year.

Enrolled Scholarship applications for Current Students will re-open at the beginning of 2025.

Life-Changing Scholarship applications for new students starting in the 2025 intake have now been finalised and are closed.

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 [email protected]

Scholarships Available

Name of Scholarship Student Criteria Scholarship amount per year Total Scholarship amount awarded across degree Status
Life-Changing Scholarships
The Balnaves Foundation First Nations Scholarship BFA First Nations student experiencing financial need. Paid over 3 years.
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.
$ 34,000.00 $ 102,000.00 Closed
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.
Supported by the Dylan Alcott Foundation and the NIDA Foundation Trust.
$ 20,000.00 $ 60,000.00 Closed
The Chrysanthy & Tessa Mallos Memorial Scholarship BFA (Design) student from Hellenic (Greek) or First Nation background in financial need. Paid over 3 years. $ 17,500.00 $ 52,500.00 Closed
Margaret Kirby Scholarship BFA student experiencing financial need. $ 16,666.66 $ 50,000.00 Closed
Prime Video Scholarship MFA (Dramatic Writing) or MFA (Directing) applicants identifying as female and non-binary with intersectional backgrounds, including but not limited to gender identity, cultural identity, people with a disability, or people within the LGBTQIA+ community. n/a $ 50,000.00 Closed
Prime Video Scholarship MFA (Dramatic Writing) or MFA (Directing) applicants identifying as female and non-binary with intersectional backgrounds, including but not limited to gender identity, cultural identity, people with a disability, or people within the LGBTQIA+ community. n/a $ 50,000.00 Closed
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship BFA (Acting) Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need. Paid over 3 years. $ 15,000.00 $ 45,000.00 Closed
ARA First Nations Scholarship BFA First Nations student experiencing financial need. $ 15,000.00 $ 45,000.00 Closed
Federman Family Foundation Scholarship BFA experiencing financial need $ 15,000.00 $ 45,000.00 Closed
Seaborn, Broughton & Walford Foundation Scholarship BFA student experiencing financial need. $ 15,000.00 $ 45,000.00 Closed
YouTube Scholarship Applicants to BFA from a background historically underrepresented in the screen and stage industry. $ 14,666.66 $ 44,000.00 Closed
Andrew Cameron AM and Cathy Cameron Scholarship MFA (Directing) or MFA (Dramatic Writing) student experiencing financial need n/a $ 30,000.00 Closed
Ingham’s First Nations Scholarship MFA (Dramatic Writing) or MFA (Directing) First Nations students n/a $ 30,000.00 Closed
Ingham’s First Nations Scholarship MFA (Dramatic Writing) or MFA (Directing) First Nations students n/a $ 30,000.00 Closed
Animal Logic Entertainment Scholarship MFA (Dramatic Writing) or MFA (Directing) student who identifies as Indigenous or has traditionally been under represented in the industry in financial need. n/a $ 30,000.00 Closed
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship MFA (Directing) Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need n/a $ 30,000.00 Closed
Federman Family Foundation Scholarship MFA (Dramatic Writing) student in financial need n/a $ 30,000.00 Closed
Helen Dumbrell Scholarship BFA (Acting) student experiencing financial need. $ 9,000.00 $ 27,000.00 Closed
Federman Family Foundation Scholarship MFA (Directing) student in financial need n/a $ 25,000.00 Closed
Anthony and Jacqueline Kerwick Scholarship BFA student experiencing financial need. $ 8,333.00 $ 25,000.00 Closed
Brian Walsh Memorial Scholarship BFA Acting student in financial need $ 7,100.00 $ 21,300.00 Closed
Andrew Michael and Michele Brooks Scholarship MFA (Dramatic Writing) or MFA (Directing) student experiencing financial need n/a $ 15,000.00 Closed
The Dawn O’Donnell Scholarship Female BFA TTSM or MFA Directing student experiencing financial need $ 5,000.00 $ 15,000.00 Closed
The Frank Thring Scholarship BFA or MFA for one male student based on skill expertise and achievements n/a $ 12,000.00 Closed
Andrew Banks and Andrea Banks Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need n/a $ 5,000.00 Closed
The Gillespie/Price Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need n/a $ 2,000.00 Closed
Enrolled Scholarships
Seaborn, Broughton & Walford Foundation Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 15,000.00  
Finch Scholarship BFA (Design) third year student experiencing financial need   $ 15,000.00  
The Evans Family Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
David Cielak Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
Susie Dickson Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship BFA/MFA Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship BFA/MFA Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship BFA/MFA Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship BFA/MFA Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship BFA/MFA Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship BFA/MFA Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship BFA/MFA Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship BFA/MFA Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship BFA/MFA Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship BFA/MFA Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship BFA/MFA Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship BFA/MFA Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
Technical Direction Company (TDC) Scholarship Diploma of Live Production and Technical Service students experiencing financial need   $ 10,000.00  
The Serpentine Foundation Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 9,000.00  
Laidlaw Foundation Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 8,000.00  
David and Lorraine Winterbottom Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 7,500.00  
Sandra and Barry Smorgon Family Foundation Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 7,500.00  
June Penn Scholarship Female BFA (Acting) student experiencing financial need   $ 6,000.00  
The Frank Thring Scholarship BFA or MFA for one male and one female student based on skill expertise and achievements   $ 6,000.00  
The Frank Thring Scholarship BFA or MFA for one male and one female student based on skill expertise and achievements   $ 6,000.00  
The Geoffrey Rothwell Scholarship BFA or MFA student with financial need   $ 6,000.00  
Shanahan Management Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 6,000.00  
Richard and Barbara Refshauge Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 5,400.00  
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship BFA/MFA Student from regional or remote Australia experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
Ballard Property Group Scholarship BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need.   $ 5,000.00  
Tracie Cielak Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need.   $ 5,000.00  
Paula Liveris and Andrew Liveris AO Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
Sarah Miller AM Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
Nanette and Stephen Ainsworth Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
The Ben Gannon AO Scholarship BFA or MFA student based on financial need for 1 year   $ 5,000.00  
The Ben Gannon AO Scholarship BFA or MFA student based on financial need for 1 year   $ 5,000.00  
The Dawn O’Donnell Scholarship Female BFA TTSM or MFA Directing student experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
The Dawn O’Donnell Scholarship Female BFA TTSM or MFA Directing student experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
The Dawn O’Donnell Scholarship Female BFA TTSM or MFA Directing student experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
The Dawn O’Donnell Scholarship Female BFA TTSM or MFA Directing student experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
The Dawn O’Donnell Scholarship Female BFA TTSM or MFA Directing student experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
Mel Gibson and Village Roadshow Scholarships BFA students experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
Mel Gibson and Village Roadshow Scholarships BFA students experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
Foundation Theatres Scholarship BFA Technical Theatre and Stage Management student experiencing financial need.   $ 5,000.00  
Paul Dainty AM Scholarship BFA student   $ 5,000.00  
Roy and Sandy Abrams Scholarship BFA student with financial need   $ 5,000.00  
Helena Colnaric BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
Donald and Leslie Parsonage Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
John and Gail Marshall Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
James and Melissa Marshall Scholarship BFA student experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
Ezekiel Solomon AM Scholarship BFA or MFA student 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 from a regional and remote area.   $ 5,000.00  
Robyn Lassman Scholarship Female BFA student from Rural NSW experiencing financial need   $ 5,000.00  
The Professor Ross Steele AM Scholarship BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need   $ 4,500.00  
Geoffrey Richards Memorial Scholarship BFA Technical Theatre and Stage Management student experiencing financial need   $ 4,166.00  
Geoffrey Richards Memorial Scholarship BFA Technical Theatre and Stage Management student experiencing financial need   $ 4,166.00  
Geoffrey Richards Memorial Scholarship BFA Technical Theatre and Stage Management student experiencing financial need   $ 4,166.00  
The J.G. Reynolds Memorial Scholarship MFA and BFA students aged under 25 years old   $ 4,000.00  
The J.G. Reynolds Memorial Scholarship MFA and BFA students aged under 25 years old   $ 4,000.00  
The J.G. Reynolds Memorial Scholarship MFA and BFA students aged under 25 years old   $ 4,000.00  
The J.G. Reynolds Memorial Scholarship MFA and BFA students aged under 25 years old   $ 4,000.00  
The J.G. Reynolds Memorial Scholarship MFA and BFA students aged under 25 years old   $ 4,000.00  
There is also a Scholarship Fund, with contributions to NIDA Scholarships from the following donors:  
Noel Cislowski AM & Hetty Cislowski $ 4,000.00  
Dr John Keogh and Professor Nadia Badawi $ 3,500.00  
Quintin and Donella Freeman $ 2,500.00  
Bruce Keebaugh $ 2,500.00  
Ian Learmouth $ 2,500.00  
Julianne Maxwell $ 2,500.00  
Rob White and Lisa Hamilton $ 2,000.00  
Colin Fong $ 2,000.00  
Warwick Cooper $ 2,000.00  
Anonymous Donation $ 2,000.00  
Prof Elizabeth Elliott AM and Dr David Dossetor $ 1,500.00  
Chris Ramos $ 1,250.00  
Professor Elizabeth More AM $ 1,200.00  
Sue Pike $ 1,200.00  
Susan and Paul Hotz $ 1,200.00  
Naomi Parry $ 1,200.00  
Sujeet Jena $ 1,200.00  
Ted Blamey $ 1,200.00  
Christopher Webber and Christopher Cosier $ 1,200.00  
Philip Cordony and Helen Dalley $ 1,200.00  
Kate Armati $ 1,200.00  
Alex and Rose Linden $ 1,000.00  
Sam Archer $ 1,000.00  
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.