The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) was established by an Act of Parliament in 1973 as the Film and Television School (FTS). After accreditation with CILECT (International Association of Film and Television Schools), it was renamed Australian Film Television School (AFTS) in 1976. To coincide with a move to a new location around 1986, the school was renamed the Australian Film Television and Radio School, reflecting the addition of radio to its educational offerings.
The establishment of AFTRS was the result of campaigning by writer and broadcaster Phillip Adams and polymath and Labor politician Barry Jones, who sought to encourage the development of an Australian film industry through various means, including a national film school and a screen funding organization. Their vision was supported by both major political parties, represented by John Gorton (Liberal) and Gough Whitlam (Labor, prime minister from 1972 to 1974).
The school opened to students in 1973, with Whitlam officiating at the opening. On May 30, 1973, a bill introduced by Whitlam passed unanimously in the Australian Parliament, establishing the school as an independent body with the status of a college of advanced education, receiving its funds from Parliament and directly responsible to the Prime Minister of Australia.
The first intake of 12 students on a pilot scheme included future directors and producers Gillian Armstrong, Phillip Noyce, Chris Noonan, James Ricketson, Ron Saunders, and Graham Shirley. In August 1975, the school moved to new purpose-built premises in Lyonpark Road, North Ryde, Sydney. In 2008, AFTRS relocated once again to a state-of-the-art new building at Moore Park, where it is currently located in the Entertainment Quarter.
AFTRS offers a range of courses designed to prepare students for careers in the screen and broadcast industries. As of 2024, these include a Master of Arts Screen in 9 disciplines, Master of Arts Screen: Business, Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting, and an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production.
The school’s campus includes state-of-the-art facilities such as a full-size 5.1 sound theatre, a mix theatre, two large professional film and television studios, film studios, sound recording studios, and a host of other facilities and equipment. This comprehensive infrastructure allows students to gain hands-on experience with professional-grade technology and equipment.
Admission into AFTRS degree courses is competitive and based on merit selection, with limited places available. The school’s focus on practical, industry-relevant education has resulted in a high employment rate for graduates, with a 1995 study showing that 96% of graduates were employed in the film and television industry.
AFTRS has played a pivotal role in the development of the Australian film industry. The school emerged during a time when there was a push to establish a distinctly Australian voice in cinema, and it has been instrumental in nurturing the talent that would go on to create internationally recognized Australian films.
Throughout its history, AFTRS has adapted to changes in the industry and technology. In 1981, a full-time radio course was introduced, expanding the school’s scope beyond film and television. In 1989, initiatives were established to increase the proportion of women being accepted into film schools around the country, reflecting a commitment to diversity and inclusion that continues today.
The school’s 50th anniversary in 2023 was marked by celebrations attended by members of the 1973 cohort, including Gillian Armstrong and Philip Noyce. In that year, 38 scholarships were awarded, and an Alumni and Industry Scholarship Fund was established, demonstrating the school’s ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of Australian filmmakers.
AFTRS has been the training ground for many of Australia’s most well-known directors and other filmmakers, including Gillian Armstrong, Philip Noyce, Rolf de Heer, Rachel Perkins, Ivan Sen, Warwick Thornton, and Kriv Stenders, as well as many cinematographers, film editors, composers, and screenwriters. In addition, there are many radio and television presenters among its alumni, including David Speers.
The school is ranked by The Hollywood Reporter as one of 15 top global film schools, a testament to its international reputation for excellence. As a statutory body governed by the Australian Film Television and Radio School Act 1973, AFTRS is responsible to the Minister for the Arts, representing the Federal Parliament, ensuring its continued role as a national cultural institution.
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