Key Sectors

Creative industries

Sydney stands out for its creative talent and world class film crews. The city is also renowned for its world-leading visual effects studios.

Sydney has well established digital, music, games, design and advertising sectors.

When it comes to film production, New South Wales (NSW) has a great variety of filming locations. These are strengthened by the NSW Government's film-friendly policies.

About the local industry

NSW dominates the Australian film and television production industry, which includes post production, digital and visual special effects.

NSW is home to almost half of Australia's film and television businesses and 46 per cent of the industry workforce.

Sydney is an ideal location for digital media projects because it offers a wealth of creative talent. Within Sydney there is considerable convergence of the information and communications technology (ICT), creative and entertainment industries.

It is no surprise that Sydney is home to head offices of Australia's free-to-air and pay television networks.

How we assist creative businesses

NSW Trade & Investment assists proponents that are contemplating significant projects in NSW. We regularly assist projects in the film, digital, music, games, design and advertising sectors.

Assistance is also available for companies that are looking to set up or expand an operation in NSW.

Services are delivered to businesses free-of-charge.

For creative businesses that are looking at NSW, the Department can:

• provide information on NSW and introduce companies to the local network of businesses
• act as an advocate within government for investment proponents
• provide advice on financial incentives that are available.

Film & Television Industry Attraction Fund (FIAF)

The NSW Government has created a package of incentives to further increase the State's market share in film and television production. Incentives aim to attract "footloose" productions interested in NSW.

Under the FIAF, incentives are determined on a case by case basis. They can include a percentage rebate of total NSW expenditure or a Payroll Tax rebate. The fund can be applied to:

• feature films
• telemovies
• animations
• mini series and TV series
• unaccompanied post production and digital visual effects (PDV) projects.

FIAF is administered by Screen NSW and guidelines can be downloaded from the Screen NSW website.

Interactive Media Fund

The Interactive Media Fund (IMF) is administered by Screen NSW and supports the creation of new digital content. The fund is designed businesses and for commercially oriented projects that are destined for distribution on internet, wireless, mobile or other emerging platforms or devices. More information, guidelines and application forms can be downloaded from the Screen NSW website.

Digital Sydney

The NSW Government has committed $0.5 million per annum for three years for a Digital Sydney initiative (2009—2011).

Digital Sydney will market and promote Sydney as a hub for digital companies. It will promote collaboration between the ICT and creative sectors and will grow the digital media marketplace in NSW.

Projects

Recent major productions filmed in NSW include Tomorrow When The War Began, Happy Feet II, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole and Wolverine.

NSW Growth Industry Profile - Creative Industries
Information and statistics on the creative industries sector in NSW.

Profiling Innovative NSW Technologies - Digital Media
A directory profiling 45 NSW companies that are delivering innovative technology solutions for the financial services sector.

Related Documents

• NSW Growth Industry Profile - Creative Industries [PDF File - 940.7 KB]