Scholarship for refugees living in Australia

Refugees will now be given the chance to tell their unique stories in a new partnership between Australia for UNHCR, Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and Public Education Foundation offering a tertiary scholarship for refugees settled in Australia.

The Australia for UNHCR Beddie scholarship is aimed at refugees living in Australia and intending to pursue a career in creative arts industries. 

The tertiary scholarship is worth over $72,000 and covers tuition fees and living expenses for completion of a Bachelor of Arts program.  

“The scholarship is for students with a refugee background who intend to study film, television or radio studies at tertiary level in 2020,” Australia for UNHCR spokesperson, Israr Khan told SBS Urdu.

South Sudanese refugees watch a match between refugee men's soccer teams, in the Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in northern Uganda. Source: AAP

Australia for UNHCR, the Public Education Foundation and the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) have joined hands to provide a unique opportunity for Australian refugees.

Israr Khan says it's part of ongoing efforts to empower refugees to share their distinctive stories.

Refugiados (imagen referencial) Source: AFTRS

"Refugees bring incredible stories of displaced people fleeing their home to save from disaster, prosecution with a hope of better life, he said.

In a statement, Australian Film Television and Radio School CEO Neil Peplow said, “AFTRS is committed to finding Australia’s most distinctive, creative voices from across our diverse community and to empower and train those people to tell their stories for the screen."

Eligibility and criteria

Applicants will be required to demonstrate their interest in creative arts. Any previous work in the field of tv, radio or film will be advantageous.

Refugees settled in Australia can apply for a scholarship but they need to provide proof of their residency in Australia as a refugee.  The Public Education Foundation's site outlines basic eligibility and selection criteria:

Rohingya refugees at Kutupalong refugee camp, Bangladesh. Source: AAP

• A Refugee – with permanent residence status or Australian citizenship
• Demonstrated interest in film, television, creative writing, radio
• Willingness to engage in Australia for UNHCR and Public Education Foundation events
• Commitment to report on progress during the course and after graduation
• Australian citizen or permanent resident

The scholarship is launched with the collaboration of the following:

• Australia for UNHCR works in partnership with the UN refugee agency to raise awareness and funding for global humanitarian crises and UNHCR emergency support.
• Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) is Australian prestigious screen, arts and broadcasting school. The scholarship will support study at the premier Australian art school.
• The Public Education Foundation is working towards enhancing the value of public education by working in collaboration with communities, businesses and the public sector.

Applications submission date is Tuesday 27th. August 2019.

More information on the scholarship from Australia for UNHCR, AFTRS and Public Education Foundation