Western Australia will offer the highest financial post-production incentive in Australia, as Screenwest encourages more post-production, digital and visual effects (PDV) projects to the state.

From July 1, Screenwest will streamline its rebate on qualifying post-production expenditure in Western Australia at 20% to help attract more national and international PDV projects to undertake work there. Until now, Western Australia has offered a 20% rebate on post-production qualifying expenditure for the first AU$500,000, and 10% further for projects over AU$500,000.

The Western Australian incentive – funded by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries – is in addition to the 30% Federal Government offset, which offers a tax rebate of 30% calculated on qualifying post, digital and visual effects (PDV) production expenditure of at least AU$500,000.

Screenwest Chief Executive Officer Rikki Lea Bestall said attracting and retaining more post-production, digital and visual effects productions to Western Australia was a key priority.

“This is the most competitive post-production incentive in Australia and is squarely aimed at encouraging more post-production projects to Western Australia to do business with our skilled practitioners, from editors to sound designers, VFX artists and animators.”

Rikki Lea Bestall, CEO, Screenwest

“Western Australia has a steady pipeline of scripted and documentary productions, which are being filmed on-location and in studios across our state – and that is only going to increase next year when the Perth Film Studios open in Malaga. But many of these projects take the next phase of their production elsewhere. We want to make sure our state is being considered as a good place to do business for all facets of screen production.

“We expect the change will significantly increase levels of post-production and visual effects work in Western Australia, and will help market and promote the state as a film destination both nationally and internationally.” Under the incentive, the final rebate amount is determined on delivery, and funding is not automatic even if an applicant meets all criteria. Guidelines for the PDV incentive can be found here.

About Screenwest

Screenwest is Western Australia’s screen funding and industry development organisation, providing service, support and incentives to make filming in Western Australia easy. Their friendly, knowledgeable staff can guide you every step of the way from an initial enquiry to final acquittal and they can assist with:

• Financial incentives
• Advice on state and federal incentives and co-production ventures
• Connections to local facilities and services
• Introductions to local crew and partners
• Bespoke location packages and location scouting assistance
• Liaison between local government authorities
• Advice on filming in Western Australia.