Documentary Development Program – Screen Australia

  • Application opens: Ongoing basis
  • Grants: up to $30,000
  • Applicants may apply for 100% of development budget, however co-funding is encouraged.

Screen Australia’s Documentary Development program supports content makers to develop documentary projects intended for Theatrical, Television (including SVOD/BVOD), and Direct‑to‑Audience release (including YouTube, VR, XR and AR), acknowledging that DtA pathways are evolving and additional platforms may be eligible. Applicants can request up to $30,000 to progress materials such as treatments, bibles, sample scenes, sizzles, research and other development activities. Funding is provided as a grant that is repayable if the project goes into production, whether or not Screen Australia later funds production.

The program aims to back distinctive storytelling across a range of budgets and audiences, and to support content makers at different career stages who reflect the breadth of Australia and deliver cultural, creative and economic outcomes.

Key Requirements

  • Support distinctive Australian documentary storytelling across platforms and budgets, reaching local and global audiences and delivering cultural, creative and economic benefits.
  • Advance projects and teams at different career stages, including DtA, television and theatrical pathways, with recognition that DtA platforms are evolving.
  • Embed equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in both projects and participation; Screen Australia encourages applications from under‑represented groups.
  • Merits‑based assessment against criteria covering story strength, team capability, audience and budget appropriateness; additional decision factors include available funds and portfolio balance

 

What is eligible for funding?

Eligible activities (examples)

  • Writer, director, producer and executive producer fees.
  • Research and research‑related travel.
  • Treatments, outlines, series bibles and other written materials.
  • Visual and pitch materials: decks, teasers/mood reels, sizzles, sample scenes; time‑critical shooting.
  • Audience testing/design, community manager and consultant fees; impact producer fees and plan.
  • Carers’ and accessibility costs within specified caps

What companies are eligible for funding?

Applicants

  • Individuals who are Australian citizens or permanent residents; or Australian companies incorporated and conducting business in Australia with central management and control in Australia. ABN required and GST registration if required by law.
  • Applicants must control underlying rights and appropriate clearances; for underlying works, have an option/purchase agreement (minimum option period expectations apply).
  • For anticipated Official Co‑Productions, the Australian co‑producer applies; specific documentation is required.

Projects

  • Must be documentary (per ACMA definition), primarily produced in Australia (except anticipated Official Co‑Productions), and not sub‑contracted from a commissioning platform.
  • Credit expectations vary by pathway and budget; no minimum credits for Direct‑to‑Audience development; specific credit thresholds for television/theatrical pathways.
  • First Nations content/participation requires appropriate protocols, consultation and consents.

Note: Applicants may apply for 100% of the development budget (co‑funding encouraged but not required). Development funding is repayable only if the project proceeds to production

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.