Three students sitting together in a theatre room, with one pointing towards the screen | Film Three students sitting together in a theatre room, with one pointing towards the screen | Film

SAE Byron Bay

World-class creative education, homegrown in the Northern Rivers.

Buzzing with activity year-round, Byron Bay is a hive of opportunity for emerging and established creatives.

 

Guided by industry-expert mentors, you’ll use cutting-edge facilities to master the tools found in real-world Audio, Film and Music studios – no city commute required.

 

From loaning out our tech on weekends to hooking you up with internships at local big-name companies, you’ll graduate career-ready, equipped with the practical skills employers are looking for.

Download the Course Guide

✔️ Courses & units ✔️ Career paths
✔️ Entry requirements ✔️ Fees & payment options

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STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES

Packed with essential software and equipment found in real-world studios, our facilities are designed for you to master the tools of the trade and graduate feeling confident and career-ready. You'll have access to:
  • 12 recording studios with seven live spaces
  • Premium industry consoles including Audient, Avid S6 and the Custom Series 75 console powered by Neve
  • Dedicated music production studios featuring UAD Apollo x8 and Apollo twin interfaces
  • Live sound equipment featuring X32 Behringer console, the X32 Producer, with Turbosound and QSC speakers
  • Professional, Netflix-approved cameras from Sony and Canon, including Sony FX3, FX6, and the Sony F5
  • Post-production software from Adobe and Davinci, Eizo ColorEdge CS2740 27" 4K monitors, and Black Magic colour grading micro panels

EXPLORE SAE BYRON BAY

World-renowned location
Centrally located five minutes from town, the campus is enveloped by lush greenery and within a stone’s throw of the beach.
Coastal sanctuary for local visionaries
On-campus accommodation, ample parking, cafe and plenty of spacious outdoor areas.
Supportive, welcoming campus
SAE is a community of like-minded artists, each working to push their creative boundaries and make bold moves in their field.
📍 Location: 373-391 Ewingsdale Road Byron Bay 2481

SAE BYRON BAY ALUMNI

FERNANDA GERDES

“The amazing thing about SAE was the real-life projects that we worked on; it meant I actually had things in my portfolio that really happened and that I was able to showcase to the outside world. And I left SAE with a job, which was pretty amazing.”

Hear more about Fernanda’s journey and how she turned her work placement at SAE into a full-time job as Head Designer at Bluesfest.
Woman sits at desk with pen and paper in hand. SAE DESIGN ALUMNI, FERNANDA GERDES

Why study at SAE?

As the only University College delivering creative and technology courses nationwide, SAE stands out from the crowd. Our unique approach to tech and creative media equips you with the practical skills, real-world experience and industry connections you need to make your mark in your chosen industry.

Cross-discipline collaboration
Create portfolio-worthy projects with your peers across creative & tech disciplines.
Study now, pay later
FEE-HELP and scholarship opportunities available.
Graduate career ready
Real-world project briefs and industry placements to set you up for success.
State-of-the-art facilities
Learn using industry-standard tech and tools found in real studio environments.
Enhanced reputation
SAE's University College status gives you a competitive edge in the industry.
Fast-track your course
Get qualified sooner with accelerated study options.
NURTURING BYRON’S TALENT FOR OVER 20 YEARS NURTURING BYRON’S TALENT FOR OVER 20 YEARS
Our roots in Byron Bay run deep – SAE has been embedded in the vibrant local community for over 20 years. We celebrate its triumphs and growth by supporting industry-based projects, nurturing new talent, and leveraging our strong industry connections to empower emerging artists.

A few of our expert internship partners include:

From SAE film students to creative entrepreneurs: The Lundmark Brothers’ Journey

The Lundmark brothers have channelled their passion for creativity into establishing their own production agency in Byron Bay. Drawing from the hands-on experience and industry insights gained during their time at SAE, they’ve built a venture that reflects their commitment to innovative design and storytelling. Their agency stands as a testament to the practical skills and entrepreneurial spirit fostered at SAE, inspiring the next generation of creative professionals.

What you can study at SAE

Two students working on a desktop computer, with one student pointing towards a project on the screen
Animation Animation courses that will render the career you want.
A young male student operating a mixing desk in a room with dark lighting 1000x1042
Audio Audio courses that will give your audio career some serious noise.
Computer Science Turn your technical talents into a thriving career.
Creative Industries Multidisciplinary courses that’ll allow you to be creative with your career.
Design Design courses that have the path to your design career laid out.
Film Film courses that have everything from concept to the final cut.
A woman with red hair in a ponytail facing away from camera, working with games software on a desktop monitor
Games Game development and design courses to get your career ahead of the game.
A young man with long tied up hair working at a desk with two laptops, circuit boxes and several red and black cords
Information Technology Progress your career with a practical mastery of technology.
Music Music courses that will get your music career on track.
A hand at a desk operating a graphics tablet
VFX & Virtual Production Embrace the latest technologies to engineer the impossible.
Two students working on a desktop computer, with one student pointing towards a project on the screen
Animation Animation courses that will render the career you want.
A young male student operating a mixing desk in a room with dark lighting 1000x1042
Audio Audio courses that will give your audio career some serious noise.
Computer Science Turn your technical talents into a thriving career.
Creative Industries Multidisciplinary courses that’ll allow you to be creative with your career.
Design Design courses that have the path to your design career laid out.
Film Film courses that have everything from concept to the final cut.
A woman with red hair in a ponytail facing away from camera, working with games software on a desktop monitor
Games Game development and design courses to get your career ahead of the game.
A young man with long tied up hair working at a desk with two laptops, circuit boxes and several red and black cords
Information Technology Progress your career with a practical mastery of technology.
Music Music courses that will get your music career on track.
A hand at a desk operating a graphics tablet
VFX & Virtual Production Embrace the latest technologies to engineer the impossible.
Two students working on a desktop computer, with one student pointing towards a project on the screen

Animation

Overview

Let your imagination run wild as you build on your technical dexterity and practical experience with our accredited Animation courses. With state-of-the-art technology, software (think Autodesk 3DS Max, Maya, Adobe Creative Suite), and professional animators at your side, a career of bringing life to your very own world and characters is yours for the taking.

A young male student operating a mixing desk in a room with dark lighting 1000x1042

Audio

Overview

Be the boss of beats and carve out your future as an in-demand master of sound and audio through our hands-on internationally accredited training, knowledge transfer, and access to collaboration with our community of artists across industries. You’ll benefit from having the best in the biz leading your classes using top DAWS, and state-of-the-art tech in world-class studios and facilities.

Computer Science

Overview

Covering the fundamentals of computer science through to advanced strategies and techniques, you’ll build a diverse skillset in programming, networks, web development, cloud computing and AI. You’ll hone in-demand expertise in programming languages such as Python, C++, and Java, and software and tools including Git, Unity, Maya and Kubernetes.

Creative Industries

Overview

Choose your own adventure with Creative Industries where you'll level-up your game across Animation, Audio, Design, Film, Games, and Music. From screenwriting to game design, music production and more, develop your artistic voice across these fields, so you not only find your niche but gain the skills and experience to have multiple choices in an exciting career where you design your destiny.

Design

Overview

Rethink the norm and challenge how design affects human behaviour, emotion, and the way we see the world. Master your craft in conceptualizing, illustration, and design in a way where you’ll rise to the top as a business-savvy creative entrepreneur. With our tech and latest software, including the Adobe Creative Suite, you'll be turning your ideas into reality and laying out your path to success.

Film

Overview

Combine your passion for film with our technology and industry professionals as your mentors, because you are the driving force of our cinematic future. Start practising your Oscar acceptance speech as you’ll thrive within our community of creatives and graduate with award-winning cinematography, screenwriting, and direction skills. The practical experience, technical knowledge, and connections you’ll gain will bring you to the forefront of future filmmaking.

A woman with red hair in a ponytail facing away from camera, working with games software on a desktop monitor

Games

Overview

Level up your skills in driving the future of the gaming phenomenon. Our courses will ensure you’ll have what it takes to build a successful career bringing life to new worlds, characters and challenges for billions to get addicted to playing on a range of different platforms. Our industry-based teachers will have you mastering advanced techniques and methodologies you can apply with software like Unreal Engine, Unity 3D, and more so you can unlock all levels and win.

A young man with long tied up hair working at a desk with two laptops, circuit boxes and several red and black cords

Information Technology

Overview

Developed in line with Australian Computer Society (ACS) standards for forward-thinking professionals, our industry-relevant Master of Information Technology combines technical expertise with real-world application. Throughout your studies, you could find yourself building AI-driven recommendation engines using Python and TensorFlow, conducting ethical hacking simulations with Kali Linux, or designing interactive dashboards for real-time data analysis using tools like Pandas, Matplotlib, and Seaborn.

Music

Overview

Master your musical talents and increase your range of skills, knowledge, and technological dexterity to make it big in this industry. You'll gain a competitive edge by immersing yourself in our collaborative creative environment. Get a leg up with the all-important connections and mentors to guide you through fine-tuning your producing, composing, and recording skills whilst building a dynamic portfolio to put you on the map.

A hand at a desk operating a graphics tablet

VFX & Virtual Production

Overview

Ignite your passion for Visual Effects & Production, where creativity and technology combine to create extraordinary visual experiences. Master the art of 3D modelling, texturing, compositing, and simulation, enabling you to craft stunning, photorealistic effects that captivate audiences.

A man leans over a camera on a tripod. They are looking through a viewfinder. Multiple viewing screens are displayed

Need more info about studying at SAE?

Fill out the form to receive the Course Guide, and we'll also be in touch to chat about your tech or creative future.