Screen Australia
Australia's principal federal funding and development agency for film, television, documentary and digital screen content.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Screen Australia is the Australian Government's principal national agency for supporting the country's screen production industry and screen culture. Established under the Screen Australia Act 2008 and commencing operations on 1 July 2008, it consolidated the functions of three predecessor bodies: the Australian Film Commission, the Film Finance Corporation Australia and Film Australia Limited. The merger was intended to create a more integrated institution able to support projects throughout their life cycle, from early development and skills formation through production, marketing, distribution and international access. The agency operates across narrative and documentary screen content, including feature films, television drama, children's programming, online work and other digital formats. Its activities combine direct financial assistance with industry services, research, policy advice, market development and administration of selected government incentives. Screen Australia can provide development and production finance, guarantees, facilities, programs and equipment, and can support promotion and distribution. Its statutory objectives include encouraging innovative and commercially sustainable Australian production while contributing to a distinctive national screen culture. Screen Australia has developed funding pathways for creators at different career stages. Generate is designed to support story development by new, emerging and experienced creators with a strong or distinctive creative voice. Premium supports creators with substantial production records and evidence of commercial or critical achievement. International Finance is aimed at market-ready projects that have commercial backing and international potential. Separate pathways have supported feature films involving Indigenous Australian stories and creators, documentaries, and projects being presented to international markets. The agency's application reforms reduced reliance on previous screen credits and introduced accessible materials such as a short synopsis and a filmed pitch, helping broaden entry to the funding system. A major part of Screen Australia's cultural role is its Indigenous Department. The department continues work begun by the Australian Film Commission's Indigenous Branch in 1993 following recommendations concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the industry. It supports eligible Indigenous Australian applicants and projects in which an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person holds a key creative role. The department has contributed to the development of filmmakers, writers, performers and producers and supported projects including First Australians and Samson and Delilah. By June 2018 it had provided approximately A$35 million to more than 160 projects, according to agency-related reporting. Screen Australia also administers the Producer Offset, a tax rebate forming part of the Australian Screen Production Incentive. Other components of that incentive are administered by the relevant federal department. During the COVID-19 disruption, the agency expanded emergency and continuity assistance, supported remote development, introduced a Premium Plus development fund, allocated A$10 million to a COVID-19 Budget Support Fund and administered the government's A$50 million Temporary Interruption Fund. These measures reflected its role as both a cultural institution and an economic stabiliser for a production sector exposed to delays, shutdowns and insurance gaps. The agency is governed by a board and managed by an executive team. As reported for 2025, Deirdre Brennan is chief executive officer, Grainne Brunsdon is chief operating officer and Michael Ebeid chairs the board. Screen Australia remains active as a federal public agency, combining cultural policy, investment, research and industry development rather than operating as a commercial studio or broadcaster.
History
Screen Australia's institutional history is rooted in the Australian Government's effort to support a distinctive domestic screen industry. Before 2008, responsibilities were divided among several bodies. The Australian Film Commission undertook cultural, industry-development and promotional work; the Film Finance Corporation Australia provided investment support for Australian productions; and Film Australia Limited was associated with documentary and public-interest production. The Screen Australia Act 2008 brought these functions together in a single statutory agency, which commenced on 1 July 2008. The merger created a national organisation intended to cover the full production chain rather than treating development, finance, promotion and distribution as unrelated activities. Ruth Harley became the inaugural chief executive officer. After her five-year term, Graeme Mason took over in 2013. Screen Australia's statutory and operational functions include supporting Australian narrative and documentary content, encouraging access to Australian programs, promoting screen culture and assisting projects with national, cultural or social significance. At the same time, its programs are expected to encourage innovation and commercially sustainable production. An important predecessor initiative was the Indigenous Branch established by the Australian Film Commission in 1993. It followed recommendations aimed at increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in film and television. Screen Australia inherited and continued this work through its Indigenous Department. Eligibility generally requires an applicant to be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian and the project to include an Indigenous Australian in a key creative role. The department has supported a broad group of filmmakers and projects, including work associated with Rachel Perkins, Darren Dale, Warwick Thornton, Wayne Blair, Beck Cole and Darlene Johnson. Its contribution to the sector included support for First Australians and development or production involvement connected with Samson and Delilah. By June 2018, reported assistance had reached about A$35 million across more than 160 projects. The agency has periodically changed its funding architecture to widen access and reflect changes in the production market. A system introduced in 2018 and described in later program materials included Generate for story development, Premium for experienced creators, International Finance for projects with commercial and overseas potential, and dedicated pathways for documentaries, Indigenous stories and international pitching. The application model placed greater emphasis on a concise synopsis and a short creator pitch, reducing the importance of an established list of screen credits for some applicants. Screen Australia also administers the Producer Offset, one element of Australia's screen-production incentive framework. This gives the agency an administrative role extending beyond discretionary project finance, while other rebates are handled by the federal communications and infrastructure portfolio. During the COVID-19 crisis, the agency adapted its investment and industry-support practices. It provided emergency funding to projects already supported by the agency, assisted productions capable of working remotely, created new development support, developed COVID-safe guidance with sector partners, funded a COVID-19 Budget Support Fund and administered a government interruption fund. The response demonstrated Screen Australia's role in maintaining production capacity during a period when filming, insurance and financing were severely disrupted. Today, Screen Australia remains an active federal agency rather than a studio, broadcaster or private investment company. Its work combines public funding, cultural representation, market development, research, policy advice and incentive administration. Under chief executive Deirdre Brennan, chief operating officer Grainne Brunsdon and board chair Michael Ebeid, it continues to support Australian creators and companies while balancing cultural objectives with audience reach and commercial sustainability.
- 2020
COVID-19 response programs are launched
[1]The agency introduced emergency production assistance, COVID-related budget support and administration of the Temporary Interruption Fund.
- 2018
Funding framework is redesigned
[1]Screen Australia introduced a revised structure that included Generate and Premium development pathways and greater accessibility for creators without extensive prior credits.
- 2018
Indigenous Department celebrates 25 years
[1]The department marked a quarter-century of supporting Indigenous participation and screen projects.
- 2013
Graeme Mason succeeds Ruth Harley
[1]Mason assumed the chief executive role after Harley completed her five-year term.
- 2008
Screen Australia is established
[1]The Screen Australia Act 2008 consolidated the Australian Film Commission, Film Finance Corporation Australia and Film Australia Limited, with the new agency commencing on 1 July.
- 2008
Ruth Harley becomes inaugural chief executive
[1]New Zealand television and film executive Ruth Harley was appointed to lead the newly created agency.
- 1993
Australian Film Commission establishes an Indigenous Branch
[1]A dedicated branch was created to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the Australian film and television industry.
Products and positioning
A national public-sector investment, policy and cultural-development institution supporting Australian screen creators and production companies from development through distribution.
Story development funding · 2018
Generate
Generate supports story and project development for new, emerging and experienced screen creators. The program is intended for applicants who demonstrate a strong passion for storytelling and an identifiable, authentic creative voice. Its more accessible entry requirements were part of Screen Australia's effort to broaden the pipeline of Australian screen talent beyond creators with extensive production credits.
Advanced development funding · 2018
Premium
Premium is a development pathway for creators with substantial production experience, including credits associated with commercial success or critical recognition. It is designed to help established teams refine projects with the potential to move toward production and wider audience reach.
Production and market finance
International Finance
International Finance is aimed at projects that are market-ready, have secured some commercial backing and show potential for international box-office or market appeal. The program connects public support with private finance and overseas distribution prospects.
Indigenous screen development and production · 2008
Indigenous Department
The Indigenous Department supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian creators and projects with Indigenous Australians in key creative positions. Its remit covers development and production and has helped build careers while encouraging culturally authoritative representation on screen.
Screen-production tax incentive administration
Producer Offset
Screen Australia administers the Producer Offset, a tax rebate for qualifying Australian screen content. The offset is part of the broader Australian Screen Production Incentive, alongside other rebates administered by the federal government.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020COVID-safe screen-sector response
Australia
Screen Australia worked with sector partners on COVID-safe production guidance while deploying emergency and continuity funding.
Outcome. The initiative helped supported productions respond to shutdowns, remote working requirements and interruption risks.
- 2018Indigenous Department 25th anniversary program
Australia
Screen practitioners gathered at Carriageworks in Redfern to mark 25 years of the Indigenous Department and its predecessor branch.
Outcome. The anniversary highlighted the department's contribution to Indigenous careers and screen production.
- 2004Message Sticks Festival support
Australia
The Australian Film Commission began supporting the Message Sticks Festival in 2004; Screen Australia's Indigenous work continued the broader institutional commitment to Indigenous screen culture after 2008.
Outcome. The festival became part of the public-facing ecosystem for Indigenous filmmakers, performers and screen culture.
Brand decisions
2020
Emergency response to COVID-19 disruptionStrategyBackground
Australian and international production shutdowns created immediate risks for projects already financed or in production.
Action taken
The agency provided emergency assistance, supported remote work, launched Premium Plus development support, created a A$10 million COVID-19 Budget Support Fund and administered the government's A$50 million Temporary Interruption Fund.
Aftermath
Screen Australia became a central mechanism for preserving production continuity and helping the sector address interruption and insurance gaps.
COVID-19 Budget Support Fund allocation. A$10 million (2020)
2018
Adoption of a more accessible development-funding modelStrategyBackground
The previous application system was criticised as difficult for newcomers and could require prior screen credits.
Action taken
Screen Australia introduced Generate and Premium pathways and simplified application materials, including a synopsis and a short filmed pitch.
Aftermath
The revised structure was intended to widen access while retaining a higher-track pathway for experienced creators.
2008
Consolidation of three predecessor agenciesM&ABackground
The Australian Government sought a unified national body covering screen finance, cultural development, production support and promotion.
Action taken
The Screen Australia Act 2008 merged the relevant functions of the Australian Film Commission, Film Finance Corporation Australia and Film Australia Limited into Screen Australia.
Aftermath
Screen Australia commenced operations on 1 July 2008 as the federal government's central screen-support agency.
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