The skills development fund supports production companies, game development studios and screen businesses to provide skills development through structured work-based learning.

Funding of up to $80,000 is available to deliver an applicant’s Skills Development Plan. The fund is open to significant productions or projects across all formats and genres. Game development studios are eligible, as are film and TV production companies and screen businesses servicing the Australian screen sector. A co-contribution from the applicant is strongly recommended.

The aims of the Skills Development Fund are to:

• build BTL crew and gamemaker skills throughout our workforce and support the skills development of as many BTL crew and gamemaker roles as possible, especially in roles that are currently experiencing capacity constraints in our national workforce; 
• support and nurture a culture of work-based learning and training on film/TV productions and games projects, in addition to supporting the development of production-based Skills Development Officers who oversee skills development and structured work-based learning; 
• provide opportunities for BTL crew and gamemakers to progress their careers through the support of structured work-based learning and training;
• for games projects, provide opportunities for gamemakers to progress their careers through timely and relevant work-based learning or improve the capacity of Australian game development studios and gamemakers by investing in specialised skills that are in undersupply; and 
• foster inclusive workplaces for BTL crew and gamemakers and support the career development of workers from diverse backgrounds that reflect contemporary Australian life.

Who is eligible?

• Applicants must apply as an Australian entity. You will need to read our Terms of Trade to ensure you are eligible for Screen Australia funding.
• Applicants will be production companies, game development studios or screen businesses for a given production/s, games project/s and will have developed a Skills Development Plan that is ready to be funded by Screen Australia and implemented by a nominated Skills Development Officer.
• For Film and Television projects, projects must be of scale and well known to Screen Australia AND/OR are being produced by reputable production companies with a strong track record.
• For Games projects, the applicant game development studio must be able to provide evidence of a minimum of one shipped game.
• Applicants do not need to already be receiving production or games funding from Screen Australia. However, those that are may apply for additional funding under this program to support the implementation of a Skills Development Plan for the funded project (which will be provided separately as grant funding).
• 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 LGBTQIA+; and people located in regional and remote areas.

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