The FAQs below provide answers to some commonly asked questions about the Application Portal. For general help about Screen Australia's website, including accessibility information please see Terms and conditions.
Help tips are provided throughout the online forms to assist you in entering relevant information. You need to carefully read the application questions, as well as any notes, to ensure you understand what’s being asked.
If you are unable to find the information you need to complete your application online please email [email protected] for assistance.
Which funding round should I apply for?
Screen Australia offers funds for the development, production and marketing of Australian screen content, as well as for the development of Australian talent and screen production businesses. You can find out more about our funding programs, and requirements for applying, on the Screen Australia website.
Am I eligible to apply for funding?
Applicants and projects must meet the general eligibility requirements set out in Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade. They must also meet the specific eligibility criteria of the funding round for which they are applying. The 'Learn More' links from the Currently Funding list on the portal will take you directly to relevant program pages on the Screen Australia website. You'll find program guidelines and associated eligibility on these pages.
You can find additional information about applying for funding here.
I can't find the funding round I want to apply for.
The portal only lists funding rounds that are currently open for online submission. You should go to the relevant funding page on the Screen Australia website to check if the round is open and how to apply.
What happens if I miss the deadline date for submitting my application?
Applications may be submitted at any time once the funding round is open and up until the deadline date. Online applications and submission materials must be submitted by 11pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time), unless stated otherwise, on the published deadline date. If you need to provide video material on USB or DVD, copies must be received by 5:30pm AEST on the deadline date. Applications not received by the deadline date will not be accepted for that round.
If you have drafted an online application but not submitted it by the deadline date, you may be able to copy it to another funding round.
Can I create more than one application for the same funding round?
Some funding rounds are limited to a single application while others are not. Refer to the relevant funding page on the Screen Australia website for more information.
How will I know if the deadline date for a funding round changes?
Deadline dates for funding are shown on our portal and website. Any changes to funding round deadlines will be clearly indicated on the Alerts section of the portal as well as the relevant website program pages.
Why do I need to register before I create an application?
Registration is a security requirement for the Application Portal and allows you to: see the applications you've drafted or submitted; copy your contact details into application forms; and copy information from one application form to another.
How do I register?
Click on the Register link in the top right menu or the Register for a new account link from the Login screen, and provide the requested information. A message will be sent to your email address with a link to complete registration. This link expires after 48 hours. Once you've activated your account by clicking on the emailed link, your registration will be complete. If you cannot find your registration email, please check your Spam or Junk folders.
How do I change my account details?
To update your details, log in to the portal and click on the My Account menu at the top of the screen. You can then edit and save changes to your user profile and security settings.
What is the password policy?
To be secure, passwords must contain at least 9 characters, must include uppercase characters, lowercase characters and numbers, and can include symbols.
I've forgotten my password
Click on the Forgot your password link then enter your registered email address. An email will be sent to you with a link to reset your password. The link provided will expire if not activated within 48 hours.
I've got a new email address
To update your email address, log into the portal and click on the My Account menu at the top of the screen. Go to the Security Settings tab, enter your new email, and confirm it. A message will be sent to your new email address with a link to activate your change of email. The link provided will expire if not activated within 48 hours.
Why can't I log in to my new account?
You will need to click on the link emailed to you to complete registration of your new account. The link will expire after 48 hours. If you haven't activated it within that time you'll need to register again.
Will my account contact details appear in the applications I create?
You can copy your registration contact details directly into application forms wherever you see the 'Copy my account details' button.
How do I preview a blank application?
To view an online form, you first need to create a draft application that can be viewed using the 'View/Print' button.
How do I create a new application?
You need to be registered with the portal to create a new application. Once you have registered and logged in, you can click on the Apply Now link to create an application for any funding round that is open online.
How do I find my application number?
Each application is given a unique identifying number. You will see this number in the application summary bar as well as on the application tab. The number will be referenced in emails confirming submission and should be used in any communication about your application.
How do I fill out questions that are shown as grids or tables?
Some information needs to be entered in a grid or table due to the nature of some questions in the form. Click on the 'Add new row' button to enter details into these grids.
For certain questions, like Key Principles, there are buttons within the grids that you'll need to click to add more information, like credits and biographies.
Where table rows have already been created, for example in Budgets, edit buttons are provided so that you can enter details where relevant.
What are mandatory fields?
Questions that have a green asterisk (*) next to them are considered mandatory fields and must be completed to enable submission of your application. This helps to ensure that we receive the information required to process your application.
How do I know which questions must be answered to complete my application?
You will see a green asterisk (*) next to all required questions. If these are not completed correctly and you attempt to submit your application form, all incomplete sections and fields will be highlighted in red.
How is the application completion calculated?
You'll see a status bar in your application header and summary that shows a percentage completion figure. This is calculated on the number of required questions you have completed. It does not include non-mandatory questions however these should still be completed if relevant. The more information you provide the more effectively we are able to process your application.
How do I save an application I've started filling out?
There are 'Save' buttons at the top and bottom of all application form screens. You need to click Save before navigating away from each section of the application form to ensure any data you have entered is saved.
When you add a new row to a grid style question, you need to click on the save icon (✓) to save the data in the table.
How do I edit or update a draft application?
Applications that you create but don't submit are automatically saved to your list of draft applications. Go to the My Applications screen and click on the 'Edit' button to update a saved draft application.
What submission materials will I need to provide in support of my application?
The Submission Materials section of the application form outlines the documentation that needs to be submitted with your application.
How do I attach submission materials?
You need to upload your supporting documentation on the Submission Materials section of the application form. Click on the 'Upload document' button to attach your files. Acceptable file formats and size limits are specified. If the document is not relevant for your application you can check the 'Not Applicable' box. If you need to send in materials by mail you can click on the 'Send by Post' box.
For some questions, like CVs, you will need to upload multiple files and enter the Key Principal's name in the text field provided.
How do I print my application?
You can print your draft or submitted application by clicking on the View/Print button provided on the application form screens as well as the application summary on the My Applications screen.
How do I submit my application?
Once you have completed all relevant questions in your application and uploaded your submission materials, you can click on the 'Finalise and Submit' button to begin the submission process. You will be taken to the Submission Summary screen. Confirm the declarations on the left and check that your submission materials are correctly listed at right. Once you are satisfied that all is complete, click on 'Submit Application'.
If you would like to go back and change your application, use the 'Cancel and return to application' link at the bottom of the screen.
How can I see all of the applications I've drafted and submitted?
You can go to My Applications in the top right menu to see a summary of all applications you've drafted and/or submitted.
How do I copy my application to a different funding round?
Go to My Applications and find the application that you'd like to copy to another funding round. Click on the 'Copy' button.
Copying an application will create a new application for the selected round, without affecting the original application. Please note that some of the information you entered in the original application may not transfer, as the forms may contain different questions. It is therefore important to check all data in the new application. You will then need to answer additional questions in the new form and upload the required submission materials.
How do I share my application with my project team?
To maintain your information securely, applications are only accessible to the registered user who created them. You can save a PDF version of your draft applications and share this with collaborators to develop answers for input into your form. You can do this by clicking on the View/Print button within an open application, or from the 'My Applications' screen, and selecting to save the file.
Will the details for my submitted applications change following submission?
Your application is submitted directly into our internal funding management system. Details from applications may sometimes be amended following submission, in consultation between the applicant and Screen Australia staff. If the Project Title, Event Name, Applicant or Applicant Company details are changed internally, updates will be reflected in the application summary visible on the 'My Applications' screen in the Portal.
The snapshot that is visible when you click the View/Print button will always reflect the details you provided in your original application form.
Are cookies used on this site?
We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. By clicking any link on this site you are giving your consent for us to set cookies.
Cookies are an integral part of the Application Portal. You cannot submit an online funding application form if you have disabled cookies.
See the Screen Australia Privacy Policy to find out more.
How is my personal information stored?
The email address and details supplied for portal registration and application submission will only be used for the purpose for which you have provided them. See the Screen Australia Privacy Policy to find out more.
How is my information protected?
Screen Australia employs appropriate technical and administrative procedures to keep your personal information secure. The measures we put in place are designed to ensure your personal information is not accessed by unauthorised personnel, and is not lost or misused. Please contact us immediately if you have reason to believe that there has been unauthorised use or disclosure of your personal information.
Can I access the Application Portal on my smartphone or tablet?
The portal is responsive on all devices but has been designed for optimal use on desktop computers and laptops; therefore we recommend that you only use these devices for drafting and submitting your applications. This will provide optimal user experience and will ensure that you can successfully perform the functions required, such as uploading supporting documentation.
Why can’t I access the Application Portal?
Our site will be offline from 8:30am – 10:30am on the third Tuesday of every month to allow for routine maintenance. If additional system updates are required throughout the month they will be scheduled for a Tuesday morning between 8:30am – 10:30am. We will endeavour to undertake changes quickly and get back online as soon as possible.
Why doesn’t the portal work in my browser?
The portal is fully functional using the latest versions of Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari and Internet Explorer. You may need to adjust your privacy and security settings if you are experiencing problems in IE11. If you set your levels to Medium, rather than High, the site will operate effectively.