BTL Next Step is a credit springboard and career accelerator for established mid-career practitioners to step up into senior “below-the-line” (“BTL”) crew and leadership roles that have been identified as experiencing shortages.

The program is broken down into two stages:

Stage 1 – Applications are open to production companies and screen businesses who are able to provide opportunities for mid-career practitioners to gain experience in senior crew and leadership roles identified in the list below.

• 1st Assistant Director
• Art Director
• Editor
• Line Producer
• Location Manager
• Post Production Supervisor
• Production Accountant
• Production Manager
• Special Effects (SFX) Supervisor
• Sound Designer

Approved companies will receive funding of up to $50,000 for each opportunity supported under this program. An exception to the $50,000 funding limit may be considered for extended placements where the applicant is able to demonstrate significant benefits to the industry.

Applicants may offer to provide multiple opportunities under this program for the same role or across multiple roles.

Stage 2 – following each Stage One deadline decision, applications will open for mid-career practitioners who would like to progress their careers in one of the BTL crew roles that have been identified above as part of Stage One of the program. More information on Stage Two of the program will be published here once available.

How much can you apply for?

Screen Australia will generally contribute a maximum of up to $50,000 towards each placement (funding will be directly related to the length of the opportunity). An exception may be made for extended placements where there are significant benefits to the industry.

Funds are to be used as a contribution to: 

• The costs of employing the practitioner at the applicable recognised industry rate including wage (at least award minimum rates), superannuation, overtime etc excluding host company overheads or capital expenditure, 
• The costs of a supervisor/mentor, if required, to mitigate risks involved with engaging a less experienced HOD,
• An allocation for host production company/business to cover on-costs of onboarding and hosting the Placee.

Additionally, Screen Australia will contribute up to $3,000 towards relocation costs and/or $3,000 towards carer/support costs, if required, to support Placees from anywhere in Australia to undertake placement opportunities. Screen Australia will review requests for contributions towards relocation and career/support costs through Stage Two of the program and these costs will be paid to the selected Placee via the host company.

Eligibility

• Applicants for Stage One will be production companies and screen businesses who are able to provide opportunities for mid-career practitioners in the ten identified roles.
• Applicants for Stage One must be Australian companies. You will need to read our Terms of Trade to ensure you are eligible for Screen Australia funding.
• Applicants do not need to already be receiving funding from Screen Australia. However, those that are may apply for additional support under this program (which will be provided separately as grant funding).
• Projects must be of scale and well known to Screen Australia AND/OR to be produced by reputable production companies with a strong track record.
• Screen Australia is committed to increasing diversity throughout our sector, both in the content that we see and play on our screens and in the teams who make it. We want to see applications from companies led by and opportunities being provided for First Nations people; people who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; people who are Deaf/deaf or disabled; women, people who are non-binary or gender diverse; people who identify as LGBTIQ+; and people located in regional and remote areas.

• Phone: 1800 507 901
• Email: industry@screenaustralia.gov.au