Post-Production Incentive Jumps to 20% in Western Australia, Setting a National Record by Screenwest
Western Australia Boosts Post-Production Incentive
Western Australia (WA) is enhancing its competitive edge in the Australian film and media production sector with a new post-production incentive. The WA PDV Incentive, effective as of July 1st, offers a flat 20% rebate on qualifying post-production, digital, and visual effects (PDV) expenditure incurred within the state [1].
This incentive is a significant financial boost for eligible PDV businesses, providing 20% of Qualifying Western Australian expenditure back to these companies. This move positions WA competitively compared to other Australian jurisdictions, offering a robust financial incentive focused specifically on the PDV sector [1].
While other states offer various film and production incentives, WA's dedicated 20% PDV grant highlights the state's strategic commitment to growing its post-production and digital effects industry. As a result, WA is seen as an increasingly attractive location for PDV work, enhancing its status alongside other established Australian hubs for screen production services [1].
The incentive operates in addition to the Federal Government's 30% PDV tax offset for projects with a minimum spend of A$500,000. The 20% flat rebate is expected to retain more PDV work within Western Australia, supporting local editors, sound designers, VFX artists, and animators, and elevating WA's profile as a full-service screen and PDV hub [1].
Screenwest, Western Australia's screen funding and development agency, administers this incentive, supporting local talent and productions. The agency's CEO, Rikki Lea Bestall, stated that the incentive is aimed at encouraging more post-production projects to Western Australia [2].
In addition to the PDV incentive, Screenwest offers a range of other resources and events. The website hosts industry briefings trusted by leaders and provides information on who's creating the next wave of short-form content and who's buying it. There will also be discussions on Micro-Dramas & Mobile-First Storytelling, Watch Time Wars: YouTube's Expansion and Strategic Implications for SVOD, and Global TV+Film Productions Review [3].
To access the contact list and apply for the incentive, one must first apply as a member on the Screenwest website. The incentive guidelines and application details are available from Screenwest. It's important to note that rebate eligibility is assessed upon delivery of work; approval is not automatic even when criteria are met [1].
The website also provides information on what's getting renewed, co-produced, or quietly dropped each month, and tracks global Film & TV projects, partners, and deals. As of August, there will be another Global TV+Film Productions Review. With the upcoming opening of Perth Film Studios in Malaga next year, the aim is to retain PDV work in-state and leverage the pipeline of scripted and documentary productions currently filming locally [1][3].
The enhanced PDV incentive in Western Australia is set to make the state a more competitive and attractive location for post-production, digital, and visual effects work, further bolstering its position as a prime screen-production center in Australia.
[1] Screenwest: https://screenwest.com.au/ [2] Screenwest CEO statement: https://screenwest.com.au/news/screenwest-announces-enhanced-post-production-incentive/ [3] Screenwest Events: https://screenwest.com.au/events/
The enhanced post-production incentive in Western Australia targets businesses within the finance, technology, and business sectors, offering a significant financial boost through a 20% rebate on qualifying post-production, digital, and visual effects expenditure. This move not only positions Western Australia as an attractive location for post-production work, but also as a prime hub for screen and digital effects industry in Australia.
With the upcoming opening of Perth Film Studios in Malaga next year, the aim is to retain PDV work in-state, supporting local editors, sound designers, VFX artists, and animators, and elevating Western Australia's profile as a full-service screen and PDV hub, integrating it with the broader film and media industry.
