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.

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    How to apply

    Applications for 2024 are closed

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    General Requirements

    Before applying for our higher education courses, here’s what you need to know:

    • You must have reached 18 years of age before the commencement of the course*
    • For Bachelor of Fine Arts: you must hold a Higher School Certificate or its equivalent from any state or territory in Australia or overseas*. ATAR is not required.
    • For Masters of Fine Arts: you must have an undergraduate degree or at least five years professional experience in a relevant field.
    • You must be fluent in spoken English and proficient in written English. International students need 8.0 IELTS (Academic) or equivalent for Masters courses and the Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting, and 7.0 IELTS (Academic) or equivalent for all other Bachelors courses.
    • You must complete the audition or prerequisites for your chosen course.
    • We accept applications from international students. Learn more here.

    *in exceptional circumstances this may be waived

    The NIDA application process usually takes place over two rounds.

    ROUND 1

    • Choose a course

      Go to our courses section online and choose what you want to study. Make sure to check through the selection criteria.

    • Submit your application

      You can submit your application directly to NIDA via this website. Follow the prompts on the application page and make sure you include all supporting documentation.

    ROUND 2

    • Prepare for your audition/interview

      If your application is successful, you will be invited for an audition or an interview. Read more on the audition and interview requirements below.

    • Undertake your audition/interview

      Interviews and recalls for non-Acting BFA courses will be held face-to-face unless otherwise advised.

    • Receive an offer

      If you’re successful, you will receive an offer for a place on the course you wish to study at NIDA. You’ll be advised via writing and/or by telephone.

    Audition Process

    The audition process varies between courses. All applicants for the Diploma of Stage and Screen Performance, Diploma of Musical Theatre and Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) must audition as part of their application.

    You are required to provide a link to a pre-recorded video audition. Your video submission needs to consist of:

    • A short, one minute introduction to camera (introduce yourself and explain your experience)
    • Two contrasting monologues of your choice, both one minute in length.

    You are required to provide a link to a pre-recorded video audition. Your video submission needs to consist of the following:

    • A short, one minute introduction to camera (introduce yourself and explain your experience)
    • Two contrasting songs from a musical theatre work of your choice, both one minute in length.
    • A monologue, one minute in length.

    The application process for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) consists of two rounds:

    Round One: Online application and audition video consisting of two monologues.

    Round Two: Recall audition which will take place in person at applicant’s nearest Australian capital city. Actor stream applicants will be asked to present a third piece, whereas Singing Actor stream applicants will be asked to present a song. If the applicant has selected both, they must choose between the two audition options.

    Audition tips & advice

    NIDA recognises that auditions can be stressful, but every effort will be made to ensure your experience is as enjoyable as possible. Remember, the more time and effort you put into your audition pieces, the better prepared you will be and the more you will benefit from the audition.

    DO
    • Only select monologues from published texts. Excerpts from unpublished TV shows or films are not appropriate.
    • Read the whole play your monologue comes from where possible – research is important!
    • Choose characters close to your current age range.
    • Choose characters that are in circumstances you can identify with and that you will enjoy exploring.
    • Select pieces that are new and fresh to you.
    • Pick monologues that will showcase you and your choices.
    • Feel free to use contrasting material when choosing your monologues (e.g. serious and comedic; internal and external).
    • Think about who you are talking to in the monologue and what you want from them – know what you mean, and what you want to say.
    • Relax and be yourself!
    DON'T
    • Don’t use a book of monologues, except as a reference – if you find a piece in an audition book that you like you must still read the whole play.
    • Don’t choose material for shock value. There are no real rules around this, but we suggest you avoid material with strong sexual references or excessive use of explicit language.
    REMEMBER

    This is your audition – while it is useful to test out your material on a friend, don’t worry about acting/singing coaches and don't let anybody tell you how to perform it.
    To wear suitable clothing – any casual clothing that does not limit your movement is acceptable
    That you will be asked to work in bare feet, so do not wear closed-toe tights
    To wear little or no make-up.

    1. Recording format

    You do not have to record your audition with a professional camera. It can be recorded on your mobile phone. The important thing is that you are heard and seen clearly.

    IMPORTANT: If you are using your phone to record, please ensure that the camera is not in ‘High Efficiency’ mode. You should be able to check this in your phone’s camera settings. For iPhone users, you will need to switch on ‘Most Compatible’ mode.

    2. Set up

    You can use a stand or surface, or have someone hold the phone/camera for you.

    Do not look directly into the camera, but just to one side; to the left or right (if it helps, you can place a chair or mark to be your focal point). If someone is holding the phone/camera for you, you can perform to them, or a third person, to visualise whom you are addressing as either another character or the audience.

    If using your mobile phone, shoot in landscape, NOT portrait.

    You should record both your pieces as a continuous shot – first one, and then the other.

    In mid shot (waist up – leave a little head room) start by saying your name, applicant number (e.g. A12345), and tell us which pieces you will be performing (character, title, and author/composer).

    Then present your first piece in mid-shot frame.

    Adjust your position so you are now in long shot (entire body in frame) and perform your second piece. This is an opportunity embody the expressive range of the character

    Keep in mind that we must be able to hear and see you clearly. So please take note of the following.

    • Background

    Try to record against a plain, light background, with no harsh shadows behind you. Avoid busy, distracting images, and ‘hard’ colours like green and red. Ideally, the background should be plain.

    • Lighting

    Do not sit directly in front of a window. A window in front of your face and behind the camera will work better. You can also use additional lighting, like the torch light from your phone, stand lamps, or bedside lamps. Avoid hard or awkward shadows

    • Sound

    Check the space you have chosen to record in for sound disturbances. This could involve closing any windows, turning off any devices playing music in the background, air-conditioning, noise/talking/cooking sounds from a nearby room.

    3. Finishing and submitting your self-tape

    • Review your recordings to pinpoint areas to improve on, including sound/visual quality. Have a break and then repeat the process. As a general rule, try not to film more than three takes.
    • You will not be timed, but you should aim to keep to the time limits noted in the application.
    • When you are happy, upload your video to YouTube, making sure it is unlisted. This means only people with the link can view your audition.
    • Your video description should include your name and NIDA Applicant number (e.g. A12345).
    • Only upload one submission.

    Click here for instructions on how to upload your video audition to YouTube.

    Interview Process

    Many courses will require students to participate in an interview. Some courses ask for a short one-minute introduction video, which is then followed by a face-to-face interview. Other courses may ask the applicant for a creative project to demonstrate their skills, prior to attending an interview with faculty. Select your course below for an outline of requirements. For specific requirements, please see individual course pages.

    The application process for the Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) consists of:
    Round One: Online application and video interview

    Round Two: Interview where the applicant will undertake a make-up task, answer a short questionnaire and discuss their experience and portfolio.

    The application process for the Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services consists of:
    Round One: Online application and video interview

    Round Two: Interview where the applicant will be asked about their training and experience, undertake a short questionnaire and participate in group problem-solving tasks.

    The application process for Bachelor of Fine Arts (Costume) consists of two rounds.

    Round One: Online application, submission of garment and digital portfolio

    Round Two: Online written response and interview

    The application process for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Design for Performance) consists of two rounds.

    Round One: Online application, including artist statement and digital portfolio

    Round Two: Interview

    The application process for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) consists of two rounds:

    Round One: Online application, including creative response

    Round Two: Creative project and interview discussing the applicant’s interests and their project.

    The application process for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Properties and Objects) consists of two rounds:

    Round One: Online application and digital portfolio

    Round Two: Interview discussing the applicant’s interests and their project.

    The application process for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Scenic Construction and Technologies) consists of two parts:

    Round One: Online application and digital portfolio

    Round Two: Interview discussing applicant’s interests and their project.

    The application process for the Master of Fine Arts (Cultural Leadership) consists of two rounds:

    Round One: Online application, icnluding CV and personal statement

    Round Two: Interview discussing current arts and cultural issues, and the applicant’s interests.

    The application process for the Master of Fine Arts (Directing) consists of two rounds:

    Round One: Online application, including CV, portfolio, critical essay and interview project. All applicants will then have an interview with Directing staff.

    Round Two: Directing recall interview

    The application process for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Writing for Performance) consists of two rounds:

    Round One: Online application, including CV, narrative statement and portfolio

    Round Two: Interview discussing the applicant’s portfolio, creative process and interests.

    Scholarships

    NIDA offers scholarships for enrolled and future students, usually allocated based on financial need. Find out your eligibility to receive a scholarship.

    Learn more