The Academic Board is a standing committee of the Board of Directors. In conjunction with the Board of Directors, it has responsibility for educational policies, the approval of course documentation, the appeals process, course review and monitoring arrangements, and resource acquisition. It comprises members appointed by the Board on the advice of the Director.

The Academic Board is an objective, professional body which takes an overview of the school and its courses of instruction in relation to current and anticipated developments in the arts entertainment industry and in arts education generally. Its members are drawn from the arts entertainment industry, as well as related fields of education and educational management.

The UNSW nominates one member with expertise in theatre. At least four members of the Board must be NIDA graduates.

The Academic Board has the power to:

• convene ad hoc committees to advise on course development or to carry out specific tasks. Such committees will disband on completion of the task.
• approve the courses of instruction
• recommend to the Board of Directors those persons who have completed the requirements of a course and are therefore eligible for awards under the seal of the Institute
• receive and approve end of year results
• determine the conditions of student contracts and approve examination results.

The NIDA Academic Board comprises:

Anna Tregloan, Chair and NIDA Board member
Associate Professor David Vance
Professor Michael Balfour  - Head of School and Professor of Theatre and Performance, UNSW
Professor Anna Reid  - Head of School and Dean, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Associate Professor Mark Ryan SFHEA - Academic Lead, Engagement School of Creative Practice Creative Industries, Education & Social Justice Faculty, QUT
Angela Bates - Head of First Nations, First Nations Department, Screen Australia
Corinne Heskett - Head of Costume
Suzanne Osmond – Chair of the Scholarship and Research Committee
Robert Miniter – BFA Student Representative and SCON President
Liz Hughes, ex officio  
Mark Gaal – Deputy Director, Learning & Innovation (VET)
Sarah Miller AM, Director of Learning and Innovation
Fiona Nicolson, Head of Curriculum