Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS)

Overview

The Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) is Australia's national screen arts and broadcast school, established by the Australian government in 1973. Located in the Sydney suburb of Moore Park, adjacent to Fox Studios Australia, AFTRS has trained the majority of Australia's leading filmmakers, editors, sound designers, and production professionals over the past five decades.

AFTRS operates as a statutory authority funded by the Australian government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. The school's campus includes soundstages, post-production facilities, radio studios, and screening rooms. Its location next to Fox Studios places students in direct proximity to one of Australia's busiest production complexes, where major international and local productions shoot throughout the year.

Australia's film industry produces work that consistently appears at Cannes, Venice, Berlin, and the Academy Awards, and AFTRS graduates are represented at the highest levels of both Australian and international production.

Programs Offered

• Master of Arts Screen (Directing) -- narrative and documentary directing
• Master of Arts Screen (Cinematography) -- camera, lighting, and visual storytelling
• Master of Arts Screen (Editing) -- editorial craft and post-production
• Master of Arts Screen (Screenwriting) -- feature film and television writing
• Master of Arts Screen (Producing) -- creative producing and production management
• Master of Arts Screen (Sound) -- production and post-production audio
• Master of Arts Screen (Composing) -- screen music composition
• Graduate Diploma in Documentary -- nonfiction filmmaking
• Graduate Certificate programs -- shorter specialist programs in various disciplines
• Short courses -- intensive professional development workshops

What Students Should Know

AFTRS is a postgraduate school. Most programs require a bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience for admission. The school admits small cohorts across its disciplines, ensuring close mentorship and generous resource access. Master's programs typically run for two years.

The school's collaborative production model mirrors professional industry structures. Students from different disciplines work together on films, building the teamwork and communication skills that define successful production environments. Thesis films from AFTRS regularly screen at major international festivals and have won numerous awards.

Tuition for Australian domestic students is subsidized through the government's FEE-HELP loan scheme, with fees varying by program. International student fees are higher but remain competitive with comparable programs globally. Sydney's cost of living is high by Australian standards, and students should budget accordingly.

AFTRS maintains strong relationships with Australian broadcasters (ABC, SBS), Screen Australia, state screen agencies, and international production companies operating in the country. These connections facilitate internships, mentorship, and employment pathways for graduates.

Notable Alumni

AFTRS alumni include Jane Campion (The Piano, The Power of the Dog), Phillip Noyce (Patriot Games, Rabbit-Proof Fence), Gillian Armstrong (My Brilliant Career), Cate Shortland (Berlin Syndrome, Black Widow), Warwick Thornton (Samson and Delilah, Sweet Country), and numerous Academy Award-nominated and AACTA Award-winning cinematographers, editors, and sound designers.

See Also

For understanding international co-production and distribution, see International Film Markets. To explore cinematography tools, use the Depth of Field Calculator.