Applications typically open in May/June each year for the following year’s intake and close in mid to late September, depending on the course you are applying for.

NIDA has one main intake per year, with the academic year starting in February each year.

Higher Education courses run across two main semesters (February-June and July-November).

Vocational Studies courses follow a three‑term structure (February-April, late April – early July, and late July – early October)

NIDA Open Day is a free event where prospective students, families, and supporters can explore the campus, learn about courses, meet staff and students, and get a feel for life and study at NIDA.

NIDA Open Day is usually held in mid-June each year.

Yes. You can apply for multiple courses, but a separate online application is required for each course.

Entry to NIDA is based on your demonstrated ability and creative potential. Assessment may include auditions, interviews, portfolio submissions, or other course-specific assessments. ATARs or other academic results are not considered.

Undergraduate & VET applicants: Complete your Higher School Certificate (HSC) or equivalent.
Postgraduate applicants: Complete an undergraduate degree or have at least five years’ professional experience in a relevant field.

Check your junk, spam, or promotions folder. If you still haven’t received any emails from NIDA, contact [email protected].

Once the application deadline has passed, you cannot make changes to or submit a pending application. We encourage you to submit an application at the next intake.

If you believe you have made an error or uploaded the wrong document, please email the Admissions Team outlining the error, and include any relevant/correct documents. You should include the following information:
Full legal name
Date of Birth
Email and Phone number
Course/s applied for

After the application deadline, all applications will be reviewed and you will receive an email advising the result of your application in Round One, around October/November.

Welcome Week marks the official start of your NIDA experience and attendance is essential. During the week, you will complete mandatory onboarding and training, explore NIDA facilities, meet your Course Leaders and support staff, and take part in activities designed to ease you into your training.

All documents must be uploaded via the online application portal.

You will be able to attach files in the Associated File Attachments section once your application is in progress.

You must select the correct option from the File Category dropdown:

Course Specific Application Requirements – e.g. Portfolio, Artist Statement
Proof of Identity – Photo ID (e.g. passport, driver licence)
Most Recent Qualification – academic certificates or transcripts (e.g. HSC)

All files must follow this format:

lastname_firstname_applicationreference_year_documenttype

Names in lowercase, APPLICATIONREFERENCE in uppercase, use intake year, no spaces or special characters, document type last e.g. blanchett_cate_BFAACT_2027_audition

In brackets after the course name at the top of your course requirements page (e.g. BFACOS, MFADIR, DLPTS). This 3-6 character code is used for application file labelling.

Only before the application deadline. After this, changes are not guaranteed.

You may be able to update your application before the closing date. Contact Admissions for assistance.

No. All materials must be submitted before the closing date.

Upload your video to YouTube as an Unlisted video, then copy the shareable link and paste it into the Video Submission field in your online application. For more information, click here.

An Unlisted video can only be viewed by people who have the link. It will not appear on your channel or in search results.

No. Private videos cannot be accessed by assessors and will not be reviewed.

Your video description must include identifying details so your submission can be matched to your application.

Use the following format:

Full Name
Applicant Number
Course name (e.g. BFA Acting – Audition / Diploma – Video Introduction)

Your video description must include identifying details so your submission can be matched to your application.

Use the following format:

Full Name
Applicant Number
Course name (e.g. BFA Acting – Audition / Diploma – Video Introduction)

No. Videos must be uploaded to YouTube as an Unlisted video.

Links from Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or similar platforms are not accepted, as they may require permissions, downloads, or may not be accessible to assessors.

If your link cannot be accessed or does not work, your application may be considered incomplete. Always test your link before submitting.

You may be able to update it before the application closing date. After this, changes are not guaranteed.

Scholarship applications are open to domestic applicants invited to Round Two auditions or interviews, and normally open in early October.

Shortlisted candidates offered a place may be invited to an interview with the Scholarship Committee.

See the NIDA Scholarships page for details.

Australian citizens and holders of permanent humanitarian visas may be eligible for an Australian Government HELP loan for all or part of their tuition fees.

FEE-HELP is a government loan scheme that can help eligible domestic students pay their tuition fees for higher education courses at NIDA.

VET Student Loans (VSL) assist eligible domestic students to pay tuition fees for approved vocational education and training courses at NIDA. 

If you are eligible, you will be able to complete the relevant Commonwealth Assistance Form to apply for FEE-HELP or VSL (whichever is applicable) following accepting your study offer. This will need to be completed by the deadline provided (normally the census date of the applicable semester).

Where can I find more information?
FEE-HELP: StudyAssist – FEE-HELP
VET Student Loans: StudyAssist – VSL

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.

NIDA welcomes applications from international applicants. Before applying, we recommend reviewing key information for international students on our website.

However, the following courses are not available to international students:
Master of Fine Arts (Cultural Leadership)
Diploma courses

All applicants are required to attend an audition or interview in person (in Australia), although for non-Acting courses, an online interview option may be available.

Auditions and interviews are held in late November/ early December each year. 

To study in Australia, you’ll need a Student Visa (or another visa that allows you to undertake study).

If you’re offered a place, you’ll receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which you’ll need to apply for your Student Visa.

Visa processing times vary, but are typically around 4–8 weeks. In some cases, it may take longer, so you should allow enough time before your course starts.

You must be fluent in spoken English and proficient in written English and have a 7.0 IELTS (Academic) or equivalent, with no band score less than 6.0.

You’ll need to arrange travel to Australia for your recall audition if shortlisted.

You must be in Australia and ready to attend from Welcome Week in early February.

You are responsible for ensuring your visa and travel arrangements are in place on time.

You’ll need to arrange travel to Australia for your recall audition if shortlisted.

You must be in Australia and ready to attend from Welcome Week in early February.

You are responsible for ensuring your visa and travel arrangements are in place on time.

All Round One auditions for VET courses are submitted as pre-recorded videos and must be included in your online application.

Callbacks for VET courses may be in person or online. Dates, times, and locations will be confirmed closer to the audition period.

Final selections are made in early to mid-December. Successful applicants will receive their study offer via email.

Round One: Submit a video audition as part of your online application, including two (2) monologues. Singing actor applicants also submit a musical theatre piece of your choice.

Round Two (Recall): If you progress, you’ll be invited to an in-person recall audition in early December. You will perform your video audition pieces plus an additional piece of your choice. Singing actor applicants will prepare a song from the provided Song List.

If you progress to Round Two, your recall audition will be held either in person at NIDA Kensington or online via Microsoft Teams. Dates and locations will be provided closer to the audition period.

Final selections are made in early to mid-December. Successful applicants will receive their study offer via email.

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified via email. While individual feedback isn’t available due to the high volume of applications, we encourage you to continue building your skills and gaining relevant experience. Many applicants are successful in later years after further development and preparation, and you are welcome to apply again in a future intake.

Individual feedback isn’t available due to the high volume of applications. You may find it helpful to revisit the course requirements and selection criteria, and consider ways to further strengthen your skills, experience, and preparation for audition or interview. Additional training, practice, or industry experience can all support a future application.

1. Check your email (including junk/spam) for links and updates.
2. Dates and locations for callbacks/recalls are confirmed closer to the audition period.
3. Prepare your portfolio, monologues, or creative work ahead of submission.

View a full list of key dates for the application process.

As a student of NIDA, it is expected that you attend all scheduled classes, rehearsals and learning activities. NIDA training is intensive and a full-time commitment which makes it challenging to work and study.

Whilst NIDA does not have its own student accommodation, there are a number of options available:

Private Rentals

• Many students choose to share accommodation to reduce costs. The Student Council of NIDA ( SCON ) Facebook Page is a great place to connect with others looking for housemates.
• Private rentals and share houses can also be found via Flatmate Finders and Flatmates.
• Another accommodation option is homestay.
• Social media has a variety of share house options available such as Sydney Inner West Housemates.

UNSW Colleges & Apartments

• UNSW offers a range of housing options which NIDA students can access. For more details, please visit Accommodation at UNSW.
• New College Village: Popular among NIDA students – check out their fees and facilities.

Boutique Student Accommodation

• Be Accommodation in Maroubra provides boutique-style student housing similar to the UNSW colleges.
• SCAPE Student Housing on Anzac Parade offers newly built student apartments.

Join NIDA Housing Groups:
Many students also connect through the NIDA Student Share Houses Facebook Group to find accommodation or housemates.