Australia is a world-class location for filmmaking. Many big-budget movie and television productions are filmed in Australia, or feature the work of Australian post-production, digital and visual effects companies.

Australia is a popular and world-class destination for filmmaking because of our lifestyle and spectacular and diverse locations. Australia offers:

  • well-respected and sought-after crews and creative talent
  • exceptional casts and internationally recognised technical facilities
  • Oscar™ winning post-production services
  • a collaborative network of film agencies committed to supporting screen production

Ausfilm

Ausfilm is Australia's gateway for information about filming in Australia. Ausfilm has offices in Sydney and Los Angeles and provides details on shooting in every state, including locations, cast and crew, facilities, technicians and creative talent.

State and territory film agencies

State and territory governments are the first point of contact for any issues about filming in a specific location:

Taxation issues

Visit the Film Industry Incentives 2016 page on the Australian Taxation Office website for information about:

  • taxation
  • obligations of companies starting business in Australia
  • registering for an Australian Business Number
  • filing business activity statements and annual income tax returns.

Foreign Actor Certification Scheme

If you are looking to bring a foreign performer into Australia to work on a television or film production, the Migration Regulations require that visa applications are supported by a certificate given by the Arts Minister. Decisions on issuing visas are made by the Department of Home Affairs.

The Arts Minister makes decisions on issuing certificates through the Foreign Actor Certification Scheme. We assess applications and provide advice to help with this decision making process. The Foreign Actor Certification Scheme ensures that Australians working in the entertainment industry are given a fair opportunity to gain employment in film and television productions shot in Australia, and that Australian voices are heard in Australian productions.

Contact

Screen Industry Section
Department of Communications and the Arts
GPO Box 2154
Canberra ACT 2601

Phone: 02 6271 1705

Email: foreignactors [at] arts.gov.au

Guidelines on the entry into Australia of foreign actors for the purpose of employment in film and television productions

Published

PDF: Guidelines on the entry into Australia of foreign actors for the purpose of employment in film and television productions (224.36 KB) DOCX: Guidelines on the entry into Australia of foreign actors for the purpose of employment in film and television productions (116.01 KB)
These guidelines explain the requirements for employing foreign screen performers for films and television programs under Australia’s migration laws.