Screen Australia Welcomes Funding Increase and Producer Offset Reform

Posted Tuesday 17 May 2011

There have been some interesting changes over the ditch that might interest members, especially those currently working in Australia. Screen Australia has welcomed a $13 million direct budget injection package over four years and a comprehensive suite of Producer Offset reforms announced in the other night's budget.
The headline changes include a direct injection of funds to Screen Australia for low-budget documentaries and lowering the threshold for Producer Offset eligibility from $1 million to $500,000 for feature films and single-episode dramas.
The Producer Offset has provided over $320 million in Government support to the industry since its introduction in 2007.
The budget announcement has implemented the vast majority of Screen Australia's recommendations including:

  • Replacement of the Producer Offset for low-budget documentaries with a more accessible and efficient Producer Equity payment administered by Screen Australia, funded through an additional appropriation of $2-3 million per annum

  • A reduction in QAPE thresholds, encouraging innovative and entrepreneurial Australian content on multiple platforms

  • Converting the 65 episode cap to 65 commercial hours for television, which is of particular benefit to children's programming

  • Exempting documentaries from the 20% above-the-line cap

  • Providing for a broader range of expenses to be eligible for Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure (QAPE) including production insurances, completion guarantees, legal, audit and company fees, additional publicity and marketing costs, some distribution costs and carbon offsets.

Read more details about the Producer Offset reforms and Producer Equity.
Screen Australia will explain the budget measures in industry forums over the next few weeks, including:

Melbourne, 5pm, Wednesday 18 May, ACMI Studio One
Sydney, 3.30pm, Friday 20 May, Dendy Opera Quays

RSVP essential as places are limited, to rsvp@screenaustralia.gov.au