The Australian co-producer must apply to Screen Australia on the application form available from the relevant section of this website, and the application must be accompanied by the materials specified on that form.

The foreign producer(s) must make separate but equivalent applications to, and as required by, the competent authority/ies in their own country/ies. Under the terms of the co-production arrangements, approval is given ‘jointly’ by the relevant competent authorities; Screen Australia will consult with all relevant competent authorities before making a decision on eligibility.

Generally, six weeks from receipt of a complete application is required to assess the project before it can be considered by Screen Australia’s Producer Offset and Co-production Committee (the Committee).

The Committee will not consider inadequately prepared or incomplete applications. If the approval is required by a particular time, the Australian co-producer should allow sufficient time (based on the above) to process the application.

Unsuccessful applicants will need to lodge a new application before the project can be reconsidered.

Provisional approval: Producers should apply for provisional approval when finance is committed but before pre-production commences. If desired, an application for provisional certification for the Producer Offset can be made at the same time.

Final approval: Once the film is complete, an application for final approval must be made in order to secure official co-production status.

Letter of preliminary compliance: To help attract finace, this letter can be sought as an indication that, based on the information provided, the project would be likely to qualify as an official co-production.