FUNDING & SUPPORT
Production
SAFC supports the production of scripted and unscripted content for any screen that generates significant economic outcomes for the South Australian screen industry, as well as South Australian post production work through the SA PDV Rebate.
Click the headings below for more information about how SAFC can support you.
Screen Production Fund
The Screen Production Fund supports the production of outstanding scripted and unscripted content for any screen that generates significant economic outcomes for the South Australian screen industry. Projects funded under this scheme are expected to be substantially produced and post-produced in South Australia.
What is on offer?
The Screen Production Fund supports the production of narrative*-driven film, television, online and VR content which is intended for commercial release via theatrical, broadcast, or digital content platforms.
For projects produced substantially in South Australia, producers can receive up to 10% of South Australian production spend.
*Narrative means a structured story or account of a series of events or experiences, whether documentary or fiction.
Key dates
Applications for the Screen Production Fund are open all year round and are considered by the SAFC Board.
Complete applications must be received no later than six weeks prior to a Board Meeting. Please note that SAFC Board dates may be subject to change at the SAFC’s discretion. Applicants can check latest Board dates and deadlines here.
Guidelines & Downloads
- Screen Production Fund Guidelines (214kb PDF)
- Qualifying South Australian Expenditure (213kb PDF)
Please contact us if you require these guidelines in an alternative format – see contact details for this program below.
How can I apply?
Submit your application through the SAFC’s online grant portal: safilm.smartygrants.com.au
Before you apply, please make sure you are familiar with the SAFC’s Terms of Trade.
For more information, including eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria and application instructions, download the guidelines (linked above).
How can I find out more?
Contact the SAFC Production and Development team on 08 8394 2029 or [email protected]
Accessibility Options
SAFC supports engagement from Deaf and disabled practitioners. For a confidential discussion of your access needs, please contact us at [email protected] or call SAFC Program Coordinator Julia Light on 08 8394 2029 or via the National Relay Service.
ABC SAFC Content Pipeline Fund
The ABC SAFC Content Pipeline Fund is designed to strengthen the South Australian screen industry by enabling a consistent pipeline of production to deliver high-quality content to ABC TV and ABC iview.
Launched in March 2023, the purpose of the fund is to ensure that South Australia can grow and retain its skilled local workforce through a consistent pipeline of ABC television production in the state.
South Australian owned Intellectual Property (IP) from South Australian production companies that meets ABC editorial requirements will be prioritised through this scheme.
Interstate production companies with premium projects may also be attracted to base production in South Australia. Interstate production companies will be encouraged to partner with a South Australian producer or co-producer.
All projects supported through this scheme are expected to provide substantial benefit to the South Australian screen industry including the employment of South Australian writers, directors and producers, Heads of Department, production crew and post-production crew.
The SAFC and the ABC will work with production companies to find opportunities for upskilling and training for emerging key creatives and crew on all funded productions.
What can the fund be used for?
The fund is primarily geared towards scripted Drama, Narrative Comedy and Children’s returnable television series.
Factual projects will be considered on a case-by-case basis where they can demonstrate high levels of South Australian employment and production over available calendar weeks.
ABC SAFC Matched Development Fund
To increase the level of South Australian originated and owned television projects, SAFC will match development support from the ABC for South Australian production companies.
Projects will be required to apply to SAFC via the Matched Market Development Fund.
The Matched Market Development Guidelines and SAFC Terms of Trade will apply.
How can I apply?
Projects will be required to apply to the SAFC via the SAFC Screen Production Fund.
The SAFC Screen Production Fund guidelines and SAFC Terms of Trade will apply.
Please see the Screen Production Fund program information on this page for further information.
Applicants must discuss their applications with the SAFC Production and Development Team prior to applying.
The ABC and the SAFC will jointly determine which projects will be supported through the ABC SAFC Content Pipeline Fund.
Successful applicants will be notified by email. The decision on applications will be final.
How can I find out more?
For information on what the ABC is looking for regarding pitches and content, please visit abc.net.au/independent/pitch
For further information about the ABC SAFC Content Pipeline Fund:
- For the ABC, please contact Alex Baldwin, ABC Deputy Head of Screen on [email protected]
- For the SAFC, please contact SAFC Head of Production and Development Leanne Saunders on [email protected]
Accessibility Options
SAFC supports engagement from Deaf and disabled practitioners. For a confidential discussion of your access needs, please contact us at [email protected] or call SAFC Program Coordinator Julia Light on 08 8394 2029 or via the National Relay Service.
Post Production, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) Rebate
This rebate supports eligible productions spending at least $250,000 on post production, digital and visual effects work (PDV) undertaken in South Australia.
This incentive aims to develop the South Australian post production, digital and visual effects sector by complementing the Australian Federal Government’s Australian Screen Production Incentive Producer Offset, Location Offset or PDV Offset.
What is on offer?
A rebate equivalent to 10% of approved expenditure on post production, digital and visual effects work undertaken in South Australia on an eligible project, subject to available funds.
For more information, including eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria and application instructions, download the guidelines below.
Key dates
Applications can be made at any time and are considered by the SAFC Board. Complete applications must be received no later than six weeks prior to a Board Meeting.
Please note that SAFC Board dates may be subject to change at the SAFC’s discretion.
Applicants can check latest Board dates and deadlines here.
Note that projects also applying for Screen Production funding are subject to those deadlines.
Guidelines & Downloads
- PDV Rebate Guidelines (270kb PDF)
- PDV Audit and Statutory Declaration Pro Forma (202kb PDF)
- Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure Information
- Australian Federal Government’s PDV Offset Information
Please contact us if you require these guidelines in an alternative format – see contact details for this program below.
How can I apply?
Before you apply, please make sure you are familiar with the SAFC’s Terms of Trade.
For more information, including eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria and application instructions, download the guidelines (linked above).
How can I find out more?
Contact SAFC Program Coordinator Julia Light on 08 8394 2029 or email [email protected]
Accessibility Options
SAFC supports engagement from Deaf and disabled practitioners. For a confidential discussion of your access needs, please contact us at [email protected] or call SAFC Program Coordinator Program Coordinator Julia Light on 08 8394 2029 or via the National Relay Service.
SA Revolving Loan Facility
The South Australian Revolving Loan Facility is an SAFC administered loan facility which supports the financing of South Australian film and television productions.
Through the South Australian Revolving Loan Facility, the SAFC provides secured loans to finance narrative-driven long-form drama and documentaries, which are either stand-alone projects or series, produced in South Australia with at least 50% of the production’s below-the-line costs expended in the state, and with a predominantly South Australian crew.
What is on offer?
Up to $850,000 per South Australian production company or project at any one time.
Key dates
Applications for this program will re-open in the second half of 2024. Subscribe to the SAFC’s mailing list to stay up to date with the latest opportunities.
Applications are considered by the SAFC Board at the subsequent Board meeting after the application has been received. Applications must be received in full no later than 30 business days prior to a Board meeting.
Please note that SAFC Board dates may be subject to change at the SAFC’s discretion. Applicants can check latest Board dates and deadlines here.
Guidelines
- SA Revolving Loan Facility Guidelines (291kb PDF)
Please contact us if you require these guidelines in an alternative format – see contact details for this program below.
How can I apply?
Submit your application through the SAFC’s online grant portal: safilm.smartygrants.com.au
Before you apply, please make sure you are familiar with the SAFC’s Terms of Trade. Applicants are required to discuss their applications with the SAFC prior to submitting a completed application.
For more information, including eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria and application instructions, download the guidelines (linked above).
How can I find out more?
Contact the SAFC Production and Development team on 08 8394 2029 or [email protected]
Accessibility Options
SAFC supports engagement from Deaf and disabled practitioners. For a confidential discussion of your access needs, please contact us at [email protected] or call SAFC Program Coordinator Julia Light on 08 8394 2029 or via the National Relay Service.
Payroll Tax Exemption
The South Australian Government offers a payroll tax exemption to producers shooting feature films in South Australia. The incentive may reduce a project’s total payroll liability by up to 4.95%
Who is eligible?
Production companies who make feature films in South Australia and incur a South Australian payroll tax liability.
A payroll tax liability generally arises in South Australia when an employer (or a Group of employers) has an annual wages bill in excess of $1.5 million for services rendered by employees anywhere in Australia if any of those services are rendered or performed in South Australia.
For further details see: https://www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au/taxes-and-duties/payroll-tax
Key dates
Applications can be made at any time.
Note: Applicants can apply for an exemption before incurring the tax or for a refund after incurring the tax. If your project is financed with any of the Producer, PDV or Location Offsets you may wish to consider the implications of either method and seek professional advice from your accountant and/or contact Screen Australia’s Offset Unit
Guidelines & Downloads
- Payroll Tax Exemption Guidelines (174kb PDF)
- Download example letter (143kb PDF)
Please contact us if you require these guidelines in an alternative format – see contact details for this program below.
How can I apply?
Applications for PTE can be made directly to Revenue SA via https://www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au/payrolltax
The SAFC can assist applicants with facilitating PTE requests – please contact our Production and Development team to discuss by emailing [email protected]
Before you apply, please make sure you are familiar with the SAFC’s Terms of Trade.
For more information, including eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria and application instructions, download the guidelines (linked above).
How can I find out more?
Contact the SAFC Production and Development team on 08 8394 2029 or [email protected]
Accessibility Options
SAFC supports engagement from Deaf and disabled practitioners. For a confidential discussion of your access needs, please contact us at [email protected] or call SAFC Program Coordinator Julia Light on 08 8394 2029 or via the National Relay Service.
Main image: Jamie Dornan and crew on The Tourist (2022), photo by Ian Routledge.