2 YEARS FULL-TIME STUDY
12 STUDENTS PER ENSEMBLE
INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY TEACHERS
STUDY IN ONE OF MELBOURNE’S MOST ICONIC THEATRES
2027 Full Time Study Registrations Open Now
In person auditions will be held December 4 2026.
If you’re interested in applying for the Advanced Diploma of Acting but would like some information, register your expression of interest and someone from The National Drama School will be in touch.
COURSE OVERVIEW
Course Code: 11360NAT
CSIRO Code: 103336H
The National Drama School’s Advanced Diploma of Acting (11360NAT) is a nationally accredited, two-year, full-time professional training program designed to prepare emerging actors and performance-makers for sustainable careers across theatre, film, television and new media.
Through an intensive, conservatory-style experience, students develop the imagination, discipline, technical skill and creative confidence required for today’s performance industry.
Working closely with leading Australian and international practitioners, students undertake a rigorous program grounded in contemporary actor training. The course introduces in depth a diverse range of influential techniques and methodologies, including, among others:
Training is practical, collaborative and performance focused. Students apply their developing craft across a variety of professional and experimental settings, including The National Theatre’s iconic stage in St Kilda, Melbourne – as well as our own black-box theatre, site-specific locations and external performance venues beyond the school.
Throughout the program, students are encouraged to work with passion, curiosity and courage. They develop their own individual artistic practice, build strong professional habits and continuously refine their creative ambitions and career goals.
Graduate with the skills, experience and confidence to create meaningful work, and take your place in Australia’s vibrant performance industry.
In your first year you will develop your craft, undertaking intensive training in acting, voice, movement and performance making. You will learn to analyse acting techniques for stage and screen, including the Stanislavski, Uta Hagen and Michael Chekhov techniques.
Learn to connect with and trust your instincts and develop connections with your ensemble. Training on movement techniques to develop your physical sensitivity, presence, precision and power and voice training with the goal of freeing your voice and extend your vocal range and expression.
Your first year culminates in the creation of a solo performance in which you showcase your acting and performance making skills.
In the second year you undertake a concentrated year of Showcase performances that extend your skills, hone your craft and showcase your work to industry leaders and performers.
Term 1: Filming of Professional Showreels and Self-tape Classes.
Term 2: Showcase Performance in the Black Box theatre.
Term 3: Showcase Performance on The National Theatre Mainstage.
Term 4: Group devised performance.
Throughout the year you will connect with industry leaders through guest talks and masterclasses. You’ll refine your audition skills and develop self tapes, and freelance skills to be an entrepreneurial artist. You’ll graduate from the program with a series of professional headshots, showreels, and professional level performance and performance-making experience.
NAT11360001 Demonstrate a range of body awareness techniques in performance related activities
NAT11360002 Demonstrate techniques to physically release the voice in performance related activities
NAT11360003 Explore techniques to enliven and embody text in performance related activities
NAT11360004 Explore the key elements of the theatrical experience
NAT11360005 Create performance pieces
NAT11360006 Produce, promote and present an original public performance
NAT11360007 Prepare, rehearse and perform stage plays for public performance
NAT1130008 Rehearse and perform for the camera
CUAIND412 Provide freelance service
CUAPRF314 Develop audition techniques
CUAWHS312 Apply work health and safety practices
HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment
| 2027 | Term Dates | Census Dates |
| Term 1 |
27 Jan – 19 Mar |
6 February |
| Term 2 |
19 Apr – 11 Jun |
2 May |
| Term 3 |
12 Jul – 3 Sep |
22 July |
| Term 4 |
4 Oct – 26 Nov |
14 October |
AU/NZ student fees
Tuition fees $27,400 for two-year Advanced Diploma.
International Stude0nts
Tuition fees $30,100 for two-year Advanced Diploma.
VET Student Loan Scheme and Scholarships may be available for eligible candidates. Please contact admin for further information and application process.
“This scholarship, awarded every two years, honours Adrian Gibson, a former Board Member of the National Theatre in 1972, Chair from 1978, and one of Australia’s longest-serving Arts Chairs, retiring in 2011.”
In honour of the much-respected and much-loved former student, actor and teacher at The National Theatre, Lisle Jones, this scholarship is valued at $3,000. It is awarded to a Second Year Advanced Diploma Student who, in the opinion of the Director and teaching faculty, has both demonstrated their professional potential, and can demonstrate that financial assistance would significantly benefit them. The funds are to be used primarily for the payment of tuition fees.
This scholarship, named in honour of The National Theatre’s first Artistic Director of Drama, is valued at $1,000. It is awarded to a Second Year Advanced Diploma student who, in the opinion of the Director and teaching faculty, has both demonstrated their professional potential, and can demonstrate that financial assistance would significantly benefit them. The funds are to be used primarily for the payment of tuition fees.
The school maintains close contact with a range of respected industry professionals many of whom teach in the Advanced Diploma program. In the second year students work closely with these industry reps and produce a Showreel which is circulated nationally to casting agents, and also present a showcase to the industry.
The National Drama School operates out of a functioning 783-seat heritage listed theatre. Alongside studying, students are supported in gaining real world theatre experience in front of house, production and technical work at The National Theatre.
Screen Actor (TV and Film)
Producer
Director
Theatre Manager
Event / Performance Host or Entertainer
Students must be 18 years or over by the 1st of January the year their studies commence. Due to the academic requirements of the course, students must have completed Year 10 High School or equivalent.
Applicants may have to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy Test (LLN) to ensure they receive the right support to achieve this qualification. This course is open to international students. This course is taught in English and International students must meet a minimum level of 5.5 IELTS or equivalent.
Students must meet all requirements and pass all units of competency in each subsequent year to obtain the qualification.
Director’s Welcome
“Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.” Brecht
In these ever evolving times, The National Drama School is committed to fostering and developing the voice of our next generation of performing artists. Artists who are responsive, reflective and inquisitive of their own context.
The core values under which all our programs run are: Care, Excellence and Community. Care for each individual student, their particular background and way of learning. Excellence in our teaching and performance outcomes, and finally we are passionate in transforming the National into a vibrant centre of performance making for our creative community.
During an intensive two years of study, you’ll work with expert industry teachers to deeply engage with the craft of acting. You’ll be immersed in voice and movement training, screen acting and stagecraft.
Small class sizes and individualised attention will ensure that you hone your individuality, talent and point of difference as a performer.
You’ll engage with film acting, create showreels and self-tapes, and perform in The National Theatre and black box theatre. In your second year, you will be featured in mainstage performance directed by a leading industry director, which is filmed and circulated nationally to casting agents.
You’ll have the opportunity to apply for a number of industry pathways (including internships with Home and Away and Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre) and you’ll be connected with casting agents and respected industry professionals. There will be additional performance opportunities with the Ballet School and partner companies.
You’ll develop a close network with your cohort and learn how to communicate with professionalism, clarity and respect. You’ll develop practical techniques to support personal resilience and well-being. You’ll develop your skills to be a successful entrepreneurial freelance artist, create professional self-tapes and confident auditions.
Join us at The National to launch your acting career!
Dr Jaime Dörner
Director of Drama
