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The Public Education Foundation’s Australia for UNHCR Beddie Scholarship at AFTRS is for individuals with a refugee background who intend to study film or television studies at a tertiary level in 2026. This scholarship is for study at the prestigious Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS). Scholarship applicants who have not applied for the AFTRS Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production course by Wednesday, 8 October 2025 will not be considered for this scholarship.

This scholarship supports emerging creative talent from a refugee background, providing the opportunity to pursue studies and develop their voice as a storyteller in film, television, online media or the creative industries. Valued at over $80,000, the scholarship enables recipients to share any story they choose – fictional, personal, or otherwise – as they build a career in storytelling.

The scholarship is to cover educational expenses such as:

  • Full tuition for the Bachelor of Arts program (3 years full-time) at the AFTRS ($52,128*)
  • Some living expenses such as transport, technology costs and equipment ($10,000 a year)
  • Vocational pathways and internship opportunity at Australia for UNHCR

If a student leaves AFTRS before completion of the course, the scholarship will lapse. Any unspent monies at the end of the scholarship period must be refunded to the Public Education Foundation scholarship fund. Before applying for this scholarship, please ensure that you read the Scholarship Terms and Conditions available on our website.

Basic Eligibility

  • Refugee
  • Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • Year 12 student or older
  • Demonstrated interest in film, television and/or creative writing
  • Willingness to engage in Australia for UNHCR, AFTRS and Public Education Foundation events
  • Commitment to report on progress during course and after graduation

Selection Criteria

To be considered for this scholarship the applicant must provide a personal statement, telling us about yourself and what this scholarship would mean to you. What are the cultural perspectives that distinguish your goals and career aspirations as a storyteller, and how might your ongoing creative practice contribute to positive change within the wider refugee community?

In their personal statement, the applicant should clearly demonstrate how they meet the remaining selection criteria, which include:

  • Experiencing personal or socioeconomic disadvantage
  • A commitment to a career in the creative industries
  • Creative thinking in the form of storytelling
  • An ability to produce and communicate thoughts and feelings within a piece of creative work
  • A willingness to give voice to the refugee experience and how it impacts their perspective as a storyteller. This does not mean you have to create content exclusively related to the refugee experience
  • A capacity for study

Selection Process (including Student Interview)

The scholarship selection involves a two-phase process:

  • Phase One
    • A selection panel – comprising representatives from the Public Education Foundation, Australia for UNHCR, and the scholarship donors – will assess all submitted applications against the selection criteria. Based on this assessment, a shortlist of applicants will be recommended for Phase Two
  • Phase Two
    • AFTRS will evaluate the shortlisted applicants’ creative excellence through the creative tasks submitted as part of their AFTRS course application

Applicants will be notified of the outcome by email. If successful, and where relevant, the recipient’s school principal (or equivalent) will also be informed directly.

AFTRS Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production

This course is designed for students with a passion for storytelling and an aspiration to have a career in the screen industry. AFTRS is eager to work with people from a diverse range of backgrounds who are imaginative, collaborative and keen to develop their voices as Australian storytellers.

For more information: https://www.aftrs.edu.au/award-course/bachelor-of-arts-screen-production/

Scholarship applicants who have not applied for the AFTRS Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production course by Wednesday, 8 October 2025 will not be considered for this scholarship.

Application Form and Attachments 

All applications for the Australia for UNHCR Beddie Scholarship at AFTRS must be submitted via the Foundation’s online portal. You will need to sign up for a PEF-Apply account to access the form.

Prior to starting your application, you should compile the following information ready to submit:

  • Applicant details including:
    • full name
    • gender
    • date of birth
    • phone number
    • address
    • email (please ensure you nominate an email account you regularly access)
  • Residence status (copy of residency Visa or Citizenship certificate is a requirement)
  • Number of years in formal education before coming to Australia
  • Parent/guardian details where applicable or if applicant is under 18 years old
  • School and/or TAFE details, (if the applicant is in year 12 or equivalent at the time of application):
    • name of school or educational institution
    • address
    • principal name
    • email
  • Basic information about you and your family:
    • who is the primary caregiver at home
    • highest education qualification of your immediate family
    • non-English-speaking background
    • country of origin of your parents and yourself
    • which languages you speak and are spoken at home
    • whether you have a diagnosed disability or learning difficulty
    • whether you have been in out-of-home care
    • socio-economic background
    • how you found out about the scholarship
  • A copy of all pages of your most recent academic record
  • A personal reference from someone who knows you. It could be a teacher, coach, family friend or an employer. (PDF or Word format, maximum 400 words)

Important Links

Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production – Course page

2026 Application Guidance Notes

Submitting your Application

1. Your Story

In no more than 1,000 words, or a 3-minute audio or video recording, tell us your story in two parts:

  • Tell us who you are, what you love to do – your goals, experiences and values
  • Let us know a bit about what you have accomplished so far: include details of any activities, awards or achievements that demonstrate your abilities or commitment to creating screen content

2. Your Creative Work

In no more than 1,000 words in the form of a script or short story, a 6–7-minute video or audio recording, a portfolio of photos or drawings of 4-6 pages/images, or other creative piece of work (e.g., a piece of music, digital media, or interactive storytelling) showcase your best work and demonstrate your ability to tell an engaging and imaginative story.

3. Review of a Creative Piece

In 300-500 words or in a 1-minute audio or video recording, review an Australian film, play, book, television series, painting, music or other significant work of art that has strongly resonated with you in a positive or negative way.

Once you have finalised your application and all elements are complete (including references and supporting statements as required) you can submit it for review. Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm on Tuesday, 28 October 2025.

For Further Information

Call the Public Education Foundation on 02 7814 2806 or email us at

scholarships@publiceducationfoundation.org.au.

We also encourage you to visit our website to learn more about PEF and the work that we do: publiceducationfoundation.org.au.

* Course tuition fee