Screen Australia Act 2008

What it must prioritise

Screen Australia must focus on:

• Documentaries
• Children's programs
• Content with high artistic and cultural merit
• Programs that reflect Australian life, identity, and national interests
• Encouraging commercial viability — the open market should be the main support for commercially promising projects

The Board

• Has 5 to 9 members (Chair + Deputy Chair + 3 to 7 others), all appointed by the Minister
• Members serve part-time, for up to 3 years at a time, and no more than 9 years total
• Can be removed for misbehaviour, insolvency, or missing too many meetings

The CEO

• Appointed by the Board (after consulting the Minister)
• Works full-time for up to 5 years at a time
• Cannot sit on the Board at the same time
• Must disclose any conflicts of interest (i.e., personal interests that might influence decisions)

Ministerial oversight

• The Minister can give binding directions to the Board on general policy matters
• Critically: the Minister cannot direct Screen Australia on which specific person or project gets funded — that independence is protected by law
• Screen Australia must submit a corporate plan (a business strategy document) that the Minister must approve

Financial rules

• Screen Australia's money can only be spent on its functions and staff
• Big financial decisions (like buying expensive property or signing long leases) need Ministerial approval
• Screen Australia is generally exempt from taxation (though GST and fringe benefits tax may still apply)

Why does it matter?

This law is the foundation for all public funding decisions in the Australian screen industry. If you're a filmmaker or producer seeking government support for a project, Screen Australia is your primary port of call — and this Act determines how it operates, what it must prioritise, and what it cannot do.