Co-Productions & Co-Ventures
The federal Australian Screen Production Incentive for official international co-productions and qualifying international co-ventures is called the Producer Offset.
Producer Offset
The Producer Offset is a 40% rebate for feature films on all Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure (QAPE). Other types of production (TV, documentary, animation) can access a 20% rebate.
International Co-Ventures
An international joint venture is a partnership arrangement between an Australian producer and an international producing partner. Co-ventures will need to satisfy the Significant Australian Content (SAC) test administered by Screen Australia in order to access the Producer Offset. Satisfaction of this test will usually require co-development of the project with the Australian producer and substantial Australian creative contribution during production.
Examples of international joint ventures are: Knowing, Legends of the Guardians of Ga’hoole, Happy Feet 2
Official Treaty Co-Productions
Australia has official treaty co-production arrangements with Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, New Zealand, Italy, Israel, China, Singapore and negotiations are in progress with South Africa. All official co-productions require an Australian producing partner.
Examples of official treaty projects are: Bright Star, Tree
QAPE threshold
Producer Offset projects must meet the minimum QAPE threshold spends as follows:
| Format | Minimum Levels of QAPE | Offset (on QAPE) |
|---|---|---|
| Feature Films | Minimum Levels of QAPE | 40% |
| Single episode program other than a documentary | A$1 million total QAPE, and average QAPE of A$800,000 per hour | 20% |
| Single episode program, documentary | Average QAPE of A$250,000 per hour, no minimum total QAPE | 20% |
| Series(or season), documentary | Average QAPE of $250,000 per hour, no minimum total QAPE | 20% |
| Television Series – (30 commercial min. minimum per episode for live action series, and 15 commercial minimum per episode for animated series; minimum of two and maximum of 65 episodes total) | A$1 million total QAPE and average QAPE of A$500,000 per hour | 20% |
| Short form animation (15 minutes minimum) | A$250,000 total QAPE and average QAPE of A$1 million per hour | 20% |
It is recommended that applicants make contact with the Producer Offset & Co-production Unit of Screen Australia prior to making an application if there are any issues requiring further explanation. The Screen Australia Producer Offset & Co-production Unit is available on +61 2 8113 1042 or produceroffsetenquiries@screenaustralia.gov.au.
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SAC test
To qualify for the Producer Offset, a project must satisfy the Significant Australian Content (SAC) test administered by Screen Australia.
In determining SAC, Screen Australia has regard to:
- The subject matter of the film;
- The place where the film is made;
- The nationalities and residences of the persons who take part in the making of the film (including producers, directors, writers, actors, composers editors etc);
- The details of production expenditure incurred in respect of the film; and
- Any other matters that Screen Australia deems relevant.
The above should not be considered formal criteria as each production is considered on a case by case basis and is a matter of judgement for Screen Australia. It is important to have as many Australian elements as possible including, but not limited to, story, cultural relevance, location, origination, development and source material.
Official co-productions which are made pursuant to an arrangement with the Commonwealth of Australia and a foreign country via a treaty or memorandum of understanding. Australia does not have any such arrangement with the USA.
For more information on the SAC test please visit Screen Australia or contact the Producer Offset and Co-production Unit at Screen Australia on +61 2 8113 5800