Australia’s screen sector continues to go from strength to strength thanks to the Morrison Government’s $540 million Location Incentive, which has supported more than 16,800 local businesses, created over 17,800 Australian jobs for cast and crew, and injected more than $2.1 billion into the Australian economy through production expenditure to date.
New analysis released by the Bureau of Communications, Arts and Regional Research (BCARR), estimates the Location Incentive is set to generate over $4.3 billion in production expenditure in Australia through to 2026-27, creating more than 108,000 jobs and supporting 36,000 Australian businesses.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the analysis highlights the economic benefits that position Australia as a world leading screen production destination.
“The Location Incentive has significant impacts on the Australian screen sector, including boosting direct expenditure to support metropolitan and regional businesses, creating record employment opportunities, boosting professional development for Australians working in the sector, along with cultural and tourism benefits,” Minister Fletcher said.
“In the last two years we have injected more than $1.5 billion into Australia’s economy, with this analysis showing a further $2.79 billion in production expenditure could be attracted in the next few years.”
“Our regional towns have been home to some of Australia’s most unique film locations, from desert to forest landscapes. They’re set to benefit from the Fund, with more than one third of productions intending to film in regional Australia.”
Under the Location Incentive, funding of up to 13.5 per cent of a production’s expenditure may be offered to large budget international screen productions that commit to filming in Australia and perform strongly against the assessment criteria. This complements the 16.5 per cent tax rebate offered through the Location Offset.
To date the Morrison Government has delivered unprecedented support towards the Australian screen sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a record investment of $530 million over 2020-2021.
The full BCARR analysis can be found: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/location-incentive
