Who is eligible to enrol?

Our Accessible Filmmaking Program is open to individuals who are 17 years of age or older and who have a mild to moderate intellectual disability or who live with Autism.

What is the enrolment process?

Official enrolment term opens in October. Interested participants can commence the enrolment process earlier via the Waitlist on our website.

All enrolment applications received will be assessed by our Services and Support Manager or Senior Support Workers, including a phone assessment with the potential participant to take place from October.

Offers of places for the Program are made in January.

Can I just enrol in one term/block?

No, enrolment in the Program is for the full year and participants are liable for the full year fees.

How many participants are in the program?

Each group is up to a maximum of 15 participants.

If I enjoy the Program, can I come back the next year?

Yes, you can. The Program is a rolling program and the content is different each year as the films created explore different themes and genres. 

There is much to learn about filmmaking, more than you can cover in just 40 weeks.

Many participants also enjoy the social connections and friendships as well as the employment support offered through the Program, so return year to year.

When do enrolments Open and Close?

Enrolments open on 1 October 2025, and will close on 9 Jan 2026.

How long is the program?

The Program runs for 40 weeks. 3-hour weekly workshops held across 4 by 10-week terms between January to December. Under our terms and conditions, enrolment is for the whole 40 weeks.

What’s included in the Program?

The Program offers participants a film school-like experience as well as many transformational outcomes such as improved literacy, social and work ready skills. Minimum program hours delivered are 120 hours of workshops plus involvement in at least one professional film shoot (approximately 10 hours). Additional film projects, screen industry excursions, masterclasses and professional workplace opportunities are offered throughout the Program.

What level of support is provided in the program? 

Whilst the groups are supported by Support Workers, participants who require specific support such as Auslan Interpreters, Live Captioning, one-on-one support, etc. will need to fund these through their own NDIS packages.

Can parents or family members sit in on the Program?

No, we want our participants to build independence and we are preparing them for the workplace.

Is there homework or assessments?

Workshop leaders may assign at-home tasks to assist participants with their learning but there are no formal assessments or exams.

Does the course provide a qualification?

Not formally, though we do provide a certificate of participation and many participants do gain workplace opportunities from the skills they gain in our program. Many participants return year on year and enjoy strengthening their creative learning.

Do all participants make a film?

Yes, the group works on a single film project as a group and makes one film project across the year.

Do participants get to act in the films?

We are a film school not an acting program. There may be opportunity for participants to audition for roles in program projects however there is no guarantee that they will be offered a role.

When is filming?

Filming is one day and runs in Block 3. Participants are required for the full 10-hour day on set.

Where can participants see their film?

Films made in the Program are screened at our end of year showcase events and then entered into festivals and often broadcast on TV. All participants will get to see their group’s film.

Please note we have detailed NDIS guidance at https://busstopfilms.com.au/ndis/

Statement regarding the National Disability Insurance Agency’s support for the Bus Stop Films Accessible Filmmaking Program

Bus Stop Films Accessible Filmmaking Program is a ‘film school like experience’ but is not a formal education program. NDIA acknowledges Bus Stop Films is not a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) nor is their Program VET accredited or required to be aligned to the ASQA training and assessment framework. It should not be rejected for consideration on the grounds that it is an educational or training support. It may be funded as an NDIS support where it satisfies the s34 “reasonable and necessary” test in the circumstances of an individual participant.

Does Bus Stop Films Provide a Service Agreement?

Bus Stop Films is not a registered NDIS provider and is not required to provide participants with a service agreement. We provide participants with a quote letter for their NDIS planning requirements. You can request a quote letter by filling in the form at the bottom of this page. Upon enrolment a Welcome Pack which is similar to a service agreement is provided and includes things like the outcomes from the program, workshop leader information, what we offer and what their responsibilities are. All participants are provided this at the commencement of their enrolment.

What line item should we gain funding under in our NDIS plans?

As Bus Stop Films is not a registered NDIS provider we cannot indicate which line item to fund the program under. It would be dependent on the individual’s plan and goals and how this program best aligns to these. We suggest that the below line items may be applicable:

04_104_0136_6_1 Group Activities – Standard – Saturday

04_105_0136_6_1 Group Activities – Standard – Sunday

04_102_0136_6_1 Group Activities – Standard – Weekday Daytime

04_103_0136_6_1 Group Activities – Standard – Weekday Evening

04_106_0125_6_1  Access Community Social and Rec Activ – Standard – Sunday

04_105_0125_6_1  Access Community Social and Rec Activ – Standard – Saturday

04_103_0125_6_1  Access Community Social and Rec Activ – Standard – Weekday Evening

04_104_0125_6_1  Access Community Social and Rec Activ – Standard – Weekday Daytime

10_016_0102_5_3  Employment Assistance

09_009_0117_6_3  Skill development and training

09_006_0106_6_3 Life Transition Planning Incl. Mentoring Peer support

However as noted above the line item will need to be determined by the plan and goals set for that person.

If a person is agency managed can they attend the program? 

If the person wishes to utilise NDIS funding then they will need to be either Self-Managed or Plan-Managed as we are unable to make direct claims from NDIA as we are not a registered provider. If the person is able to self-fund the program outside of their NDIS package we are able to accept their enrolment.

How much does the program cost?

In 2026, the Program fees are :

$10,500 per year which is $262.50 per workshop. We invoice monthly in arrears. There is a once off non-refundable enrolment fee of $150 for new participants that is required to be paid upfront.

Who can I talk to at Bus Stop about NDIS?

We are here to support you and answer any questions you may have around your NDIS Plan, and how Bus Stop may fit into it.

Set up a chat with our Services & Support Manager Rachel here.

Who can I talk to at Bus Stop about the Program?

What are the program delivery days?

Depending on your location your Program may be on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday.

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

Our staff are available to answer questions Monday to Friday.

You can call (02) 7204 3445 or email hello@busstopflms.com.au