The way we tell stories is constantly evolving – from adapting to changing consumer behaviour to embracing new technologies and platforms – and the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) designs and delivers courses in direct response to these current and future industry needs.
AFTRS is the national screen and broadcast school, and the only Australian education institution to consistently make The Hollywood Reporter’s prestigious annual list of the top film schools in the world. With more than 50 years of experience, award-winning graduates and strong industry networks, AFTRS offers a range of courses taught by passionate industry professionals where creatives can re-skill, up-skill, or launch their career in film, television and audio.
AFTRS CEO Dr Nell Greenwood said in a world where the way we live, learn and engage in work is changing as much as the nature and direction of the work itself, AFTRS is committed to flexibility, inclusion and expanding its reach to creative talent across Australia. This includes offering courses part-time and online, wider industry partnerships, and regional internship opportunities.
“In 2024, we were able to offer industry-partnered training in every state and territory to more than 2000 participants,” Dr Greenwood said.
“Our focus has been on below-the-line roles to address skills shortages and grow and connect talent pipelines across the country. But we are still just as focused on the hands-on learning that is at the heart of AFTRS, with our students producing 230 films in 2024 that contributed to 126 festival selections worldwide, while radio and podcasting students pitched 78 audio series and published 730 audio stories.
“Our priority remains working with industry to both identify and meet changing training and upskilling needs and do our part to grow and strengthen the Australian creative sector.”
With highly sought after graduates – including Jane Campion, Phillip Noyce, Monica Davidson, Tim Blackwell and Evan Buist – coveted for their skills, creativity, and professionalism, AFTRS alumni continue to shape the future of storytelling. Applications for next year’s intake for AFTRS courses will open in June, and new and upcoming students will join a cohort of over 5000 graduates who continue to tell our nation’s stories and represent Australia’s diversity on screens big and small, in audio, online and beyond.
With four Award Courses – Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production; Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting; Master of Arts Screen; and Master of Arts Screen: Business – AFTRS also offers industry-driven Short Courses that run throughout the year. AFTRS equips students with practical expertise and hands-on experience in screen, media and broadcasting, and is dedicated to discovering and empowering Australian talent through industry-relevant, future-focused education, research and training.
For those interested in fine tuning or developing a leadership role in the screen industry, the Master of Arts Screen: Business (MASB) has two intakes each year, with the mid-year intake commencing in Semester 2, August 2025. Applications for the 2025 MASB mid-year intake are now open.
Designed for a new generation of screen leaders, the MASB is Australia’s leading screen business course. This flexible program – offered on campus and online – allows students to tailor their studies to fit their lifestyle and professional commitments while developing leadership and entrepreneurial skills for the global screen industry. Acknowledged as the first of its first type in Australia, the MASB has accelerated the careers of screen media practitioners, from producers to developers, film distributors, creative arts managers and screen sector entrepreneurs.
“For more than a decade the MASB has contributed to high-level, sustainable careers and screen businesses that have helped enrich Australian culture and expand the Australian screen media economy,” said MASB Program Convenor Peter Herbert.
“The Australian screen industry is currently experiencing a dynamic period of growth and change. Notable is how quickly it is moving away from traditional broadcast models. Keeping up with change is the name of the game.
“The MASB is designed to prepare students to seize the opportunities this change provides through a comprehensive program of lectures, targeted mentoring, workshops, direct industry engagement, and self-directed learning.”
For more information visit the MASB course page on the AFTRS website.