Record $1.7 Billion Australian Drama Production Boosted by International Demand

Australias drama production sector reached a historic AUD$2.7 billion ($1.78 billion) in 2024/25, representing a 43% surge from the previous year, according to Screen Australias latest Drama Report. This unprecedented growth was largely driven by high-budget feature films and subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) content.

International projects played a major role, contributing AUD$678 million ($448 million) to the increase, with foreign productions significantly boosting overall expenditure.

Out of 174 productions started during the period, 71 were Australian-made, accounting for AUD$1.1 billion ($727 million) in domestic content spending, up 14% from 2023/24. Despite this growth, Australian productions share of total expenditure declined from 50% to 40%.

These results highlight the creativity and dedication of our screen practitioners in a rapidly changing market, said Screen Australia CEO Deirdre Brennan. While local drama spending has grown moderately, fewer TV titles were commissioned for free-to-air, SVOD, and childrens content, reflecting shifts in production trends.

The international segment experienced notable expansion, with 20 overseas feature films shot in Australia generating AUD$1 billion ($661 million). International television and SVOD projects contributed an additional AUD$458 million ($303 million). Ausfilm CEO Kate Marks credited this surge to the reformed Location Offset incentive program, emphasizing its role in supporting crews, training, and screen businesses.

Theatrical feature film spending climbed 76% to AUD$379 million ($250 million), led by a handful of productions exceeding AUD$50 million ($33 million). Most films continued to fall in the AUD$1-5 million ($660,000-$3.3 million) range.

Television spending presented a mixed picture. SVOD and subscription TV projects spent AUD$492 million ($325 million) across 18 titles, a 5% increase from the previous years 28 titles. In contrast, free-to-air television expenditure fell 14% to AUD$162 million ($107 million) across 14 titles. Overall, Australian general TV/VOD drama spending remained flat at AUD$654 million ($432 million) across 32 titles, with fewer hours and titles produced.

Childrens content saw a steep drop, with spending falling 41% to AUD$34 million ($22.5 million). Streaming platforms now account for 73% of TV/VOD drama investment, despite reduced title counts and hours. Rising cost-per-hour reflects demand for premium production and broader industry pressures.

Queensland emerged as the leading state for screen production, reaching a record AUD$925 million ($611 million), capturing 34% of the national market, a 32% increase from its 2022-23 record. The states growth was fueled by high-budget projects such as Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, Voltron, and the second season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. International productions in Queensland more than tripled compared to the previous year.

New South Wales and Victoria accounted for 31% and 27% of spending, respectively. Government support remained strong, totaling AUD$430 million ($284 million), including AUD$317 million ($209 million) from the Producer Offset. Post-production and visual effects spending rose 33% to AUD$762 million ($504 million).

Brennan emphasized the importance of data in guiding industry decisions. Screen Australias 2025-2029 Corporate Plan includes expanded research efforts, such as an updated Production Infrastructure and Capacity Analysis in 2026 and a Screen Currency report to assess the economic, social, and cultural impact of Australian screen and games production.

Analysis: Australia's Drama Production Sector in 2024/25

The Australian drama production sector has reached a milestone in 2024/25, with a record AUD$2.7 billion in expenditure, marking a 43% growth from the previous year. This surge reflects not only a boom in international interest but also a significant shift in local production trends. While Australian-made content still constitutes a large portion of the industry, foreign projects continue to dominate, underscoring the increasing importance of global partnerships in Australian screen production.

International contributions were pivotal, with foreign productions accounting for a substantial AUD$678 million of the overall increase. This growth is largely attributed to high-budget feature films and the expanding presence of subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platforms. Queensland has emerged as a leading state for production, with an impressive AUD$925 million in spending, driven by high-profile international projects. This growth was supported by the reformed Location Offset incentive, which has been crucial in attracting global productions and supporting local industry infrastructure.

However, despite the overall increase in spending, Australian content's share of the total expenditure has declined. The 14% decrease in free-to-air television spending and the sharp 41% drop in children's content spending highlight the ongoing challenges faced by traditional broadcasters. Meanwhile, the shift towards SVOD platforms and streaming services is evident, as these platforms now represent 73% of the TV/VOD drama investment, despite a reduction in the number of titles and hours produced.

The data provided by Screen Australia's Drama Report paints a picture of an industry in flux, with increasing international investment and changing local production dynamics. The findings will undoubtedly inform the direction of future policy and production strategies, especially as the government continues to invest in incentives and infrastructure to support the sector's growth. As we look ahead, it's clear that Australia's drama production sector is evolving in response to global market forces, with both opportunities and challenges on the horizon.

Sources:

• Australian Drama Production Hits Record $1.7 Billion, Driven by International Activity