Work Permits

Special regulations and agreements cover the use of foreign performers and technicians in Australia. These guidelines ensure that Australian citizens and residents are provided with a reasonable opportunity to participate in all levels of the production.

The number and type of foreign performers and technicians who can work on a production depends on a range of issues including:

• Levels of foreign investment
  
• Nature of creative control
  
• Size and format of the production
  
• Whether the production is government subsidised

Importing performers

Performers whose reason for visiting Australia is of a commercial nature will need to obtain a certificate from the federal Minister for Communications, Information Technology & the Arts indicating that the casting requirements set out in their Casting Guidelines have been satisfied. For more information on Casting Guidelines visit www.dcita.gov.au or tel. (+61 2) 6271 1000.

Importing crew and technicians

This requires contact with the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance and completion of a form obtained from the Department of Immigration. It will need to be demonstrated that the employment of non-Australian crew members will lead to greater employment of Australians than if an Australian worked on the project in an applicant’s place.

Please contact the following for detailed information on obtaining work permits:

Australian Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs
www.immi.gov.au or tel 131 881 (from within Australia)

Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (the key film and television industry union) www.alliance.org.au or tel. (+61 2) 9333 0999