The NSW Government has announced a AU$380 million package for the NSW screen and digital sectors as part of the 2025/26 Budget.
The package includes investing $100 million in a capital fund to deliver a second studio space in Sydney, NSW and $280 million for programs to support the sector, including the Made in NSW Fund and PDV and Digital Games Rebate programs, administered by Screen NSW.
This investment ensures the continuation of these programs which has supported projects including The Artful Dodger, Anyone But You, Furiosa: a Mad Max Saga and The Fall Guy.
NSW GOVERNMENT MEDIA RELEASE
The Minns Labor Government is investing $100 million in a capital fund to begin the hunt for the location of a second film studio for Sydney. This is part of a $380 million package in the 2025-26 Budget to support the world-leading NSW screen and digital games sector, and deliver much-needed new production space over coming years.
This investment in NSW’s screen and digital games sector is part of the Government’s plan to grow more local jobs and secure a bright future for the industry. With Australian storytelling becoming a bigger export earner by the year, there is a critical shortage of production space, with the only film studio in Sydney being Disney Studios Australia at Moore Park.
Since 2021, studio films made in Sydney include Thor: Love & Thunder, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, The Fall Guy, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and I Know What You Did Last Summer. The package also includes $280 million for programs to support the sector, including the Made in NSW fund and Post, Digital and Visual Effects and Digital Games Rebate programs.
This investment ensures the continuation of these successful programs supporting productions, post-production and digital effects for projects such as The Artful Dodger, Anyone But You and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
Complementing these investments, an overhaul of the regulatory framework recognises the economic contribution the screen and digital games sector makes across NSW and reduces red tape. This includes tripling the time filming can occur on private land without a development approval. These lighter-touch permissions will reduce the administrative burden on both councils and productions.
Minister for the Arts John Graham said, “NSW is the home of the screen industry in Australia. Our screen sector continues to wow the world with our storytelling. Their work shows the world who we are – and helps us understand who we are. The Minns Labor Government is backing the sector and planning for growth. The industry has been calling for a second studio space in Sydney to make sure local producers aren’t being squeezed out by the big overseas productions. This $100 million capital fund will pave the way for the delivery of this studio.”
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said, “The screen and digital games sector generates $1.2 billion into our state economy and supports over 13,500 jobs. By supporting the sector, we are acting to attract investment, stimulate job creation and boost economic growth. The $100 million capital fund secures the future for the NSW screen sector, continuing the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build a better NSW.”
END OF MEDIA RELEASE
Screen NSW will play a key role in administering much of this funding and ensuring these incentives continue to attract world-class productions to the state. Here’s a closer look at the programs involved:
Further info courtesy of Screen NSW:
Details of Screen NSW funding programs and incentives are available here: https://www.screen.nsw.gov.au/funding-support
Made in NSW Fund
Screen NSW’s Made in NSW Program is a funding program to support the advancement of NSW as a production destination for feature films and major television drama programs. Eligible projects are those which are genuinely footloose and include feature films, telemovies, animation, mini-series and TV series, International/Australian co-productions and fully internationally financed feature films and television projects from local production companies.
Post, Digital & Visual Effects (PDV) Rebate
Screen NSW’s Post, Digital and Visual Effects Rebate supports companies and practitioners carrying out PDV work in NSW. The Rebate offers eligible productions a 10% rebate on qualifying NSW PDV expenditure related to PDV work carried out in NSW. The rebate can be combined with Australian Government incentives.
Digital Games Rebate
The NSW Digital Games Rebate offers eligible productions a 10% rebate on qualifying NSW digital games expenditure related to digital games work carried out in NSW. The rebate can be combined with Australian Government incentives.
To learn more about filming in New South Wales, including incentives, locations and post-production facilities, contact Screen NSW.