Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) creative application requirements

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) has additional requirements used as part of the selection process. Find out everything you need to know about the creative tasks and audition process.

To be considered for selection into the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), you need to submit a course application and prepare an audition. If you're shortlisted, you'll need to attend a callback audition.

You must read the How to Apply information on the course page, as well as these audition requirements.

Start year intake 2027 timeline

Before August 2026

Review the entry requirements and how to apply information on the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) course page.

3 August 2026

Applications open.

By 28 September 2026

Domestic students and international students studying in Australia, submit your course application through VTAC.


International students studying outside Australia, submit your course application direct to The University of Melbourne or via an authorised education agent.


All applicants upload your audition via the Creative Application Platform (SlideRoom).

12–27 November 2026

Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend a callback audition either in person in Melbourne, or online.

What to prepare

There are five components to your video submission:

  1. Artistic Personal Statement
  2. Monologue written pre-1910 from the Audition Booklet
  3. Contemporary Monologue from the Audition Booklet
  4. Contemporary Monologue: Free choice, ranging from plays written after 1980
  5. 16 bars of a song.
  • Artistic personal statement: Tell us something about yourself, your ambition with your work and how you see the course assisting in this.
  • Monologues (pre 1910 and contemporary): You must prepare and film one monologue from the VCA contemporary list, and one from the VCA pre-1910 list. Aim to choose contrasting pieces that you connect with and which demonstrate your range as a performer. Each monologue should be a maximum of three minutes in length.
  • Contemporary monologue free choice: You must prepare a third contemporary monologue from a play written after 1980. This is an opportunity for you to select a contemporary monologue from outside of the list provided and to show another side of you and your creativity, and the kinds of themes that are important to you. You may also choose a third monologue from the list provided. For this third monologue, you may perform, if English is not your first language, in the language in which you feel most comfortable.
  • 16 bars of a song: You must prepare 16 bars (approximately 4-6 lines) of any song to be sung acapella (without accompaniment). This is an opportunity for you to interpret the text and tell a story when working in another form.

The monologues and song must be recorded in one take (one take per component is permitted). No editing of individual components is allowed.

Please see the BFA (Acting) Audition Monologue Booklet [PDF] for detailed audition guidelines.

Also see Recorded Audition Tips [PDF] for helpful advice on filming your monologues.

If you're shortlisted based on your audition submission, you'll be invited to prepare for a callback audition.

Shortlisted applicants should prepare to:

  • Be playful
  • Perform their chosen monologues
  • Collaborate with others
  • Respond to direction.

Further information will be given to each candidate invited to a callback audition.

You will not be advantaged, nor disadvantaged, in selection by attending either an on-campus or an online callback audition.

Inclusivity and accessibility

The University of Melbourne and the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all participants, regardless of their physical, sensory, cognitive, or psychological abilities. Should you be required to attend an audition, you will be asked if you have any accessibility requirements during the audition booking stage.

How to submit your selection tasks

Your audition must be uploaded and submitted via the Creative Application Platform (SlideRoom). There is a small fee associated with submitting your tasks, which must be paid at the time of application unless you're eligible for a waiver. We recommend allowing plenty of time to prepare and submit your creative tasks. Applications received after the published closing day cannot be accepted.

How you'll be assessed

All applicants will be ranked according to the outlined criteria, up to the capacity of places in the course.

The audition will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • Physical, vocal, and creative ability
  • Performance presence
  • Embodiment of text and character
  • Emotional and imaginative connection made with the text

The callback audition will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • Vocal dexterity and potential for development
  • Physical and kinaesthetic awareness, and potential for development
  • Ability to listen and respond to direction imaginatively
  • Ability to collaborate with others