Australian Advanced 1 Bursary 2026

A $5,000 National Award for Australia’s Most Promising Classical Dancers!

The Australian Advanced 1 Bursary, presented by the Royal Academy of Dance, is one of the country’s most prestigious awards for young classical ballet dancers.

Held annually, this highly respected national event recognises exceptional dancers who have achieved Distinction in their RAD Advanced 1 examination and are demonstrating outstanding technical strength, artistry and future potential.

In 2026, one dancer will be awarded $5,000 to support further classical ballet training within the RAD syllabus and associated pre-professional study (as agreed with the Royal Academy of Dance).

Key Dates 2026

Entries Open: 17 February 2026
Entries Close: 16 April 2026

Semi-Finals

ACT – Sunday 3 May
NSW – Sunday 17 May
QLD – Sunday 17 May
SA – Sunday 17 May
VIC – Sunday 31 May

National Final

Sunday 14 June 2026 – Melbourne

Candidate criteria

Candidates must fulfill the following by the closing date of the bursary:

• Be a current financial member of the Royal Academy of Dance.
• Be of non-professional status, meaning they are not engaged by a professional company or production on a regular basis as a paid dancer.
• Have passed the Royal Academy of Dance Advanced 1 Examination (with Distinction).
• Be 17 years of age or under at 31 December in the Bursary year (i.e. will not turn 18 at any time in the Bursary year).
• Have not yet taken the Academy’s Advanced 2 Examination at the time of registration closing.
• Have not been selected as a finalist in the Australian Advanced 1 Bursary in previous years.

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