Australia’s screen sector ended 2024/25 with a record total production expenditure of AUD 2.7 billion (USD 1.78 billion), up 43% on the prior year, driven by high-budget features and streaming/VOD production.

Subscription TV and SVOD spending reached AUD 492 million across 18 titles, while hours produced fell from 135 to 105; the average budget per hour rose by about 44% to around AUD 5.1 million.

Australian productions totalled 71 titles out of 174 in production, accounting for AUD 1.1 billion (USD 727 million) in local spend, but representing a 40% share of total expenditure, down from 50% a year earlier.

Public broadcasters contributed AUD 38 million (11% of first-release financing) and commercial free-to-air broadcasters contributed AUD 36 million (11%), with both sectors posting declines year over year.

The long-running soap Neighbours’ closure reduced FTA spend and hours, lowering total FTA hours from 276 to 191 and bringing average cost per hour down to about AUD 860,000.

A permanent Location Offset increase from 16.5% to 30% (backdated to July 1, 2023) and the reduction of the QAPE to AUD 15 million helped stimulate international activity, according to Ausfilm’s CEO.

Industry leaders note evolving commissioning behavior and new collaboration opportunities to sustain Australian storytelling, with Ausfilm highlighting resilience from continued international activity and strong tax incentives.

Screen Australia’s chief executive emphasized resilience and ongoing shifts in commissioning, pointing to collaborations and innovative production that elevate Australian storytelling.

The government introduced new local content obligations for streaming services with over one million subscribers to ensure Australian scripted content, amid inflation and changing commissioning dynamics.

Children’s drama saw a sharp decline, producing only five titles in 2024-25, totaling 21 hours and AUD 34 million in spend.

Funding for features and TV/VOD comes from Producer Offset, Screen Australia, state agencies, other government funding, international investment, and private investment, with government sources accounting for 44% of features and 34% of TV/VOD funding.

Australia’s children’s content fell 41% to AUD 34 million (USD 22.5 million) across four titles, including three ABC commissions and one Stan title.

Screen Australia plans to expand its research program under the Corporate Plan 2025-2029, including an updated Production Infrastructure and Capacity Analysis in 2026 and a forthcoming Screen Currency report to measure the sector’s value.

Total government support remained substantial at AUD 430 million (USD 284 million), including AUD 317 million (USD 209 million) from the Producer Offset, with post-production and VFX expenditure rising 33% to AUD 762 million.

Queensland emerged as the leading production state with a 34% share and record local expenditure of AUD 925 million (USD 611 million), followed by New South Wales at 31% and Victoria at 27%.

State-level breakdown shows Queensland at 34% of spend, Victoria at 27% (a state record of AUD 731 million), and New South Wales at 31%.

Drama production prices rose notably, with free-to-air averaging about AUD 860,000 per hour and cable/streaming around AUD 5.1 million per hour, driven in part by foreign/Hollywood production cost pressures.

Streaming platforms now account for roughly 73% of TV/VOD drama investment, reflecting premium production values and broader industry cost pressures.

International production contributed about USD 1.3 billion across 22 projects, including major features like Apple TV+’s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and Peacock’s All Her Fault, with PDV expenditure up 33% to USD 504 million.