Assessment & Approval

Applications are first assessed by the Producer Offset and Co-production Committee. The Committee makes a recommendation on each application to the Chief Executive Officer, based on whether the application complies with these guidelines, the relevant treaty or MOU, and the over-arching principle of balance. See Eligibility for further details. The Committee may, alternatively, refer a project to the Screen Australia Board for decision, if the project’s size or issues related to the production warrant this.

Provisional Approval

The CEO will make a provisional decision on each proposed official co-production taking into consideration the recommendation of the Co-production Committee. Consultation then takes place between Screen Australia and the foreign competent authority.

If an application for provisional approval is not approved by the Board, a new application must be lodged before the project will be considered again.

If principal photography has not commenced within 2 years from the date of Screen Australia’s provisional approval, then the provisional approval will lapse.

Provisional approval can be used for the purpose of applying to Screen Australia for finance. (Note that approval of an official co-production does not guarantee financing from Screen Australia. A separate application must be made to Screen Australia in line with its existing funding guidelines and procedures.)

During production

In accordance with the Producer’s Undertaking made as part of the application process, producers must notify Screen Australia if any of the elements set out in the application change during the course of the production and seek approval of those changes prior to implementation. If any of the elements change and Screen Australia does not authorise the changes, the project may lose its official co-production status and may become ineligible for its final 10BA, 10B or Producer Offset certificate and so possibly lose the benefits reserved for national productions of Australia.

Final Approval

Final approval will not be given until both Screen Australia and the foreign competent authority have approved the completed production as eligible.

In order for Screen Australia to assess the completed production, the Australian producer must provide Screen Australia with:

• Copies of all fully executed financing agreements.
  
  
• A copy of the final executed co-production agreement.
  
  
• One copy of the finished film on DVD.
  
  
• One copy of the final budget.
  
  
• One copy of the full cast and crew list noting nationality or residency status of each cast or crew member.
  
  
• Such other documentation or information as Screen Australia may require to complete its assessment.