• Research and implement concepts, processes, materials, and technologies in the sustainable design and realisation of props and effects
• Position and articulate individual practice with an inclusive appreciation of cultural perspectives and global professional standards.
• Identify and employ adaptive approaches to the communication of ideas, problems and solutions in diverse performing, and entertainment contexts.
• Devise ethical, creative and agile responses to self-initiated projects and collaborative productions
• Demonstrate inclusive leadership by applying entrepreneurial and management knowledge and practices in diverse self–directed and collaborative projects

Students are at NIDA from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday. During production terms students may also be required for rehearsals after hours and on weekends.

Additional time also needs to be allocated to library work, research, preparation for classes and private study. For this reason it is difficult for NIDA students to maintain regular part-time jobs. Studying at NIDA is a big commitment so students need to manage their time and resources carefully.

All NIDA Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees are three-year full-time courses. All NIDA Master of Fine Arts courses, except for Cultural Leadership, are 18-month full-time courses.

2025 Semester Dates

Semester 1: 10 February – 20 June 2025
Welcome Week: 3 – 7 February 2025 (First years & MFA only)
BFA Term 1: 10 February – 11 April 2025
Mid-semester break : 14 April – 25 April 2025
BFA Term 2: 28 April – 20 June 2025

Semester 2: 21 July – 21 November 2025
BFA Term 3: 21 July – 12 September 2025
Mid-semester break: 15 – 19 September 2025
BFA Term 4: 22 September – 21 November 2025

Term dates exclude public holidays. View 2025 NSW public holiday dates.

Our graduates have been employed by Cirque du Soleil, Creature Technology Company, Wētā Workshop, Aardman Animation, Sydney Theatre Company, Opera Australia, Fox Studios and Dan Oliver Special Effects, along with many more.

Potential careers:

• Properties maker
• Scenic artist
• Set decorator
• Animator
• Puppet-maker
• Model-maker
• Special effect artist
• Draftsperson
• 3D modellers
• Workshop and project managers

Entry is by merit selection.

General entry requirements for accredited courses are as follows:

• Have completed a Higher School Certificate or equivalent qualification at the end of high school for undergraduate courses.
• Be 18 years of age by 31 March in the first year of enrolment for domestic students in undergraduate programs.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Have skills and knowledge appropriate to the level and discipline into which the applicant is seeking to gain admission.
• Have an evidenced interest in the performing arts.

Applications are encouraged from domestic applicants who:

• Have previous higher education study.
• Have vocational education and training.
• Have work and life experience (having left school more than two years ago).
• Are recent secondary education applicants.
• Identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

Applications are encouraged from international applicants who:

• have successfully completed a Genuine Temporary Entry (GTE) interview.
• have completed the equivalent of a Year 12 or final year of high school qualification
• have an English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 7.0 with no band score less than 6.0 (IELTS 8.0 for BFA Acting).
• Are 18 years of age at date of enrolment for international students.
• Have skills and knowledge appropriate to the level and discipline into which the applicant is seeking to gain admission.
• Have an evidenced interest in the performing arts.

Recognition of Prior Learning is an assessment process that involves assessment of an individual’s relevant prior learning (including formal, informal and non-formal learning) to determine the credit outcomes of an individual application for credit.

NIDA may grant credit for:

• Formal study undertaken in recognised education institutions in Australia, including universities, colleges, TAFE and other post-secondary education institutions and for study at recognised overseas institutions.
• Credentialed courses provided by recognised professional bodies, employers and other authorities, where appropriate certification is available; and
• Prior learning, where such learning can be sufficiently evidenced.

The principles underlying the assessment of credit transfer/Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applications are that the policy and procedures are:

• Aligned to the Higher Education Standards Framework and the Vocational Standards for RTOs.
• Designed to maintain the integrity and reputation of NIDA’s accredited courses for which credit or RPL is applied and support the collaborative nature of NIDA’s conservatoire training model.
• Consistent, equitable, transparent, and accountable.
• Based on processes of comparable standard and integrity to those used to assess the relevant subject.
• That students are not disadvantaged in achieving the expected learning outcomes for the course of study or qualification.

NIDA Recognition of Prior Learning Policy

Apply for RPL/Credit Transfer

Domestic students with overseas qualifications must supply certified translations of their qualifications.

NIDA encourages applications from students from diverse backgrounds, with different levels of experience in theatre, film, television or other areas.

We select students who:

• Demonstrate commitment and motivation in relation to the arts, entertainment and related industries, to their chosen discipline, and to the course of study.
• Provide evidence of their capacity to work creatively and imaginatively.
• Demonstrate an aptitude to collaborate with peers as part of a creative process.
• Demonstrate a range of knowledge, skills, technical abilities and/or problem-solving techniques relevant to their discipline.
• Demonstrate cultural and contextual awareness.
• Articulate and communicate ideas clearly.

You will need to prepare and submit the following as part of the online application:

1. PORTFOLIO

Prepare examples of past work that you feel support your application and demonstrate your suitability for a career in the arts and entertainment industry. This can include (but is not limited to) :

• photos
• videos
• props
• life drawings
• hand and digital illustrations
• technical drawings and renders
• physical and digital models
• sculptures
• paintings
• cosplay costumes/costume props

The purpose of the portfolio is to provide an insight into how you think as an artist, designer and maker. Ensure you select and highlight a specific item/project which will be discussed in depth during the interview. Consider selecting an item or project that you feel best showcases your area of interests and/or breadth or depth of skills.

Your portfolio can include your website or other social media platforms you use to collect and display your work. Please provide these as links in your PDF. The max file upload size is 80Mb.

Please title your digital portfolio submission as: fullname_portfolio_BFAPFX_2024

How to prepare for your interview

Each applicant will be interviewed for approximately 45 minutes. All interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams, link to be provided prior to interview.

During the interview, we will discuss your portfolio; your ideas about theatre, film and the broader creative and entertainment industry; and why you want to study Props and Effects at NIDA.

There will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about NIDA or about the interview itself.

Some tips:

NIDA recognises that interviews can be stressful, but we will do our best to make your experience as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.

The interview process is friendly, informal and open, and is designed to give you the best opportunity to show us your potential and readiness to study at NIDA.

Remember, the more time and effort you put into your application and portfolio, the better prepared you will be, and the more you will enjoy the interview.

Domestic and international students are required to pay tuition fees by the due date each semester.

Domestic Students

Domestic tuition fees overview

Domestic students are Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens.

2025 Domestic Undergraduate Student Fee Schedule

2024 Domestic Undergraduate Student Fee Schedule

International Students

International tuition fees overview

Fees and financial assistance vary for international students, please read full details here.

2025 International Undergraduate Student Fee Schedule

2024 International Undergraduate Student Fee Schedule

*The tuition fees are reviewed each year and if you enrol you are liable for the additional tuition costs if the tuition fees rise during the course of your enrolments.

** EFTSL – Effective Full-Time Study Load: indicates the relative study load of a subject against a full-time study load of 1.0 for an academic year. For consistency, the EFTSL have been rounded to 3 decimal places. This is not indicative of the full value of the EFTSL but represents an accurate load for fee calculations.

Australian citizens and holders of permanent humanitarian visas are eligible for an Australian Government FEE-HELP loan for all or part of their tuition fees. For more information about FEE-HELP please read the information below and visit Study Assist.

What is FEE-HELP?

FEE-HELP is the Australian Government loan scheme that assists eligible students to pay their tuition fees, so that students do not have to pay tuition fees up-front. FEE-HELP can cover all or part of a student’s tuition fees.

In 2024, the FEE-HELP loan limit is $121,844 for most students.

A loan fee of 20% applies to FEE-HELP loans for undergraduate courses of study. The FEE-HELP limit does not include the loan fee.

The Government pays the amount of the loan directly to NIDA. Students repay their loan through the tax system once their income rises above the minimum threshold for compulsory repayment.

For more information go to https://www.studyassist.gov.au/.

Who is eligible for FEE-HELP?

• You are eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are either:
• an Australian Citizen; or
• hold a permanent humanitarian visa

Those NOT eligible for FEE-HELP are:

• New Zealand citizens – refer to the Study Assist website
• Australian permanent residents
• Overseas students

Financial Assistance

Eligible students, who are Australian residents, can apply to Centrelink for financial assistance through Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY. Visit Centrelink or call 132 490 for more information.

The table below gives an indication of the educational backgrounds of the 2024 commencing undergraduate BFA peer cohort in all disciplines at NIDA.

It should be noted that as selection and admission to courses at NIDA is based on merit the statistics below may not be indicative of the educational backgrounds of commencing cohorts on a year-to-year basis.

L/N – Low numbers: the number of students is less than 5.