Announcing a Nation-Leading 20% Post-Production Benefit: Screenwest (Western Australia)
Western Australia Boosts Post-Production Incentive, Positioning as a Global Hub
Western Australia has enhanced its Post-Production, Digital, and Visual Effects (PDV) incentive for PDV firms, offering a flat 20% rebate on Qualifying Western Australian PDV Expenditure (PDV QWAE) for eligible screen projects utilizing WA-based PDV services[1]. This move positions Western Australia as the most competitive post-production jurisdiction in Australia[2].
The incentive, effective from 1st July, aims to retain PDV work within the state, support local editors, sound designers, VFX artists, and animators, and elevate WA's profile as a full-service screen and PDV hub[1]. The rebate is available for scripted or factual feature films and television productions, requiring a minimum WA PDV spend of $100,000 and is assessed competitively based on economic impact, industry capacity-building, and WA’s strategic position as a global post-production hub[1].
Screenwest, Western Australia's screen funding and development agency, administers the incentive[6]. Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest's CEO, stated that the incentive is aimed at encouraging more post-production projects to Western Australia[7]. In addition to the state-level incentive, projects with a minimum spend of A$500,000 are eligible for a 30% PDV tax offset from the Federal Government[3].
The updated incentive is a strategic measure designed to enhance Western Australia's global competitiveness within Australia by fostering local industry growth and attracting both domestic and international screen productions to utilize WA-based PDV services[1][3]. Other Australian states, such as South Australia, also offer PDV rebates and significant investment packages to enhance their screen industry infrastructure[5].
Screenwest offers a contact list for industry professionals and non-members can apply to access it[4]. The agency also provides industry briefings and discussions on current trends and strategic implications in the industry, such as Watch Time Wars: YouTube's Expansion and Strategic Implications for SVOD, Micro-Dramas & Mobile-First Storytelling, and Global TV+Film Productions Review for July and August[4].
The upcoming Perth Film Studios opening in Malaga next year is expected to further boost the local pipeline of scripted and documentary productions[1]. With these developments, Western Australia is poised to become a prime screen-production centre, attracting PDV work that might otherwise consider offshore locations or other states.
[1] Screenwest - https://screenwest.com.au/ [2] Screenwest - https://screenwest.com.au/pdv-incentive/ [3] Screenwest - https://screenwest.com.au/pdv-incentive/faqs/ [4] Screenwest - https://screenwest.com.au/events/ [5] Screen Australia - https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/news/media-releases/south-australia-announces-new-film-and-tv-investment-package [6] Screenwest - https://screenwest.com.au/about/ [7] Screenwest - https://screenwest.com.au/news/western-australias-pdv-incentive-boosts-competitiveness/
- The updated PDV incentive in Western Australia positions the state as a potential hub for sports productions, offering industry professionals the opportunity to utilize WA-based post-production services for their projects.
- With the growing presence of the screen industry in Western Australia, sports broadcasters might consider the region as an attractive location for producing their content, taking advantage of the state's competitive PDV incentives and developing local talent.
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