Strengthening our screen media industry

To strengthen Australia's screen media industry, the Government will restructure and increase its support to encourage greater private sector participation in productions and attract more productions to Australia.

This package builds on previous commitments and will increase the Government's overall assistance to the industry to over $300 million in 2007‑08, more than doubling assistance provided in 2001-02.

Support for international and domestic productions will be provided through a producer tax rebate. This will deliver support directly to producers.

Enhancing domestic film support

The Government will provide a 40 per cent refundable tax rebate for eligible domestic feature films and a 20 per cent refundable tax rebate for other eligible domestic media productions, including television series and documentaries.

Attracting more international films

Support for international films made in Australia will also be increased. Eligible international films will receive a rebate of 15 per cent (currently 12.5 per cent) on qualifying expenditure under the international component of the producer tax rebate.

This producer rebate incorporates the refundable film tax offset. In addition, qualifying expenditure over $5 million on post production and digital and visual effects will also be eligible for the international producer tax rebate for the first time. These changes will further increase the attractiveness of Australia as a destination for the production of international films and associated post-production work.

Australian Screen Authority

The Government will also establish a new film agency, the Australian Screen Authority, by merging some existing film bodies. This will provide a consolidated, single source of interaction between the Government and producers.