Western Australia increases post-production incentive

Western Australia has raised its post-production incentive, making it the highest in Australia.

From July 1, Screenwest will streamline its rebate on qualifying post-production expenditure in Western Australia at 20% to help attract more national and international PDV teams to undertake work in the state. 

Until now, Western Australia has offered a 20% rebate on post-production qualifying expenditure for the first $500,000, and 10% further for projects over $500,000. 

The Western Australia post-production incentive program has the most competitive spend threshold with a minimum spend threshold of $100,000. 

The Western Australian incentive – funded by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries – is in addition to the 30% Federal Government offset, which offers a tax rebate of 30% calculated on qualifying post, digital and visual effects (PDV) production expenditure for productions of at least $500,000. 

The lift in the incentive is to attracting and retaining more post-production, digital and visual effects productions to the region, according to Screenwest Chief Executive Officer Rikki Lea Bestall.

“Western Australia has a steady pipeline of scripted and documentary productions, which are being filmed on-location and in studios across our state – and that is only going to increase next year when the Perth Film Studios open in Malaga," said Bestall in a statement.

“But many of these projects take the next phase of their production elsewhere. We want to make sure our state is being considered as a good place to do business for all facets of screen production. 

“We expect the change will significantly increase levels of post-production and visual effects work in Western Australia, and will help market and promote the state as a film destination both nationally and internationally.” 

Under the incentive, the final rebate amount is determined on delivery, and funding is not automatic even if an applicant meets all criteria. 

Flying Bark Productions Pty Ltd, Siamese Pty Ltd, and Highly Spirited's animated series Tales From Outer Suburbia is currently in post-production in Western Australia.