Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) has partnered with universities and tertiary institutions to build a national pipeline of talent into commercial radio and audio. Through scholarships, prizes, and placements, CRA will invest in student support to help create accessible and sustainable career pathways.
There will be five initiatives supporting different career stages and with a national reach. The existing Brian White Scholarship will continue and is currently accepting applicants for 2025. Last year’s recipient Grace Barlow (pictured above) received two job offers directly from the program and now works at ARN. She said:
“It’s been fantastic to experience a newsroom driving the news agenda and chasing stories. I’ve been entrusted to conduct interviews, and I even had the opportunity to speak with eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant!”
The partnerships and resulting pathways outlined below address industry workforce needs while creating accessible pathways and paid placements and study opportunities for students from metropolitan and regional areas.
PATHWAYS
Brian White Scholarship (National)
• Currently accepting applications for 2025
• Four-week paid placement across Nine Radio, ARN, NOVA and SCA
• Open to final-year journalism/communications students and recent grads
AFTRS Graduate Diploma Support (NSW)
• Regional Radio Scholarship for one student from a regional/rural background
• Supports study for AFTRS Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting.
• Financial contributions toward living and educational costs
• Includes a 2-week paid commercial radio internship
Swinburne Regional Placement Program (VIC)
• Launched July 2025, a regional radio placement program available to selected Swinburne students studying a Bachelor of Media and Communication
• CRA funds travel, accommodation, and living expenses during placement
• Hosted by ACE Radio Network, current placements for 2025 in Traralgon, Horsham, Colac, and Wangaratta – other station locations also available.
Charles Sturt University Scholarship (Regional NSW)
• First recipient to be announced in 2026
• CRA-funded annual scholarship supporting students enrolled in the Bachelor of Communication through financial contributions towards their studies
• Includes valuable work placement experience and studio visits
Edith Cowan University Prize (WA)
• Annual award for excellence in Postgraduate News Entertainment Media program
• 2024 recipient: Chelsea Boothman (pictured below, achieved distinctions in all radio units)
Lizzie Young, the CEO of Commercial Radio & Audio said:
“Radio continues to be one of the most trusted and impactful media channels in the country, and regional stations are the backbone of that connection. At CRA, we’re committed to creating real-world opportunities that help students step confidently into the industry. These partnerships give future broadcasters meaningful, hands-on experience in vibrant local stations and reinforce the vital role regional radio plays in developing talent, storytelling, and community connection.”
The purpose of these existing and new pathways and opportunities are towards fostering future industry leadership, removing financial, geographic and other barriers to media careers and Addressing skills shortage through learned understanding of traditional and digital audio plus constantly evolving technology.
Andrea Burns, Course Coordinator, Master of News and Entertainment Media, Edith Cowan University said:
“Past winners of this prize have graduated on a Friday and started work in the radio industry the following Monday. Our collaboration with CRA is a big part of the success of our programme.”
Peter Marcato, pictured below, who is a Lecturer in Communications and Radio at Swinburne University said:
“Swinburne has a great history of graduates making their way into the commercial radio industry. We are now able to continue it with our partnership with Commercial Radio and Audio to provide real world opportunities for our students. Radio is a thriving industry and there is so much opportunity for students to make it a career. We hope this program will give Swinburne students a head start in finding a radio job.”
CRA is open to new partnerships that align with their vision for a thriving, sustainable audio industry and are currently in discussion with several institutions, with more partnership updates to come.