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Production businesses
ABS Industry survey

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released the results of its seventh Film, Television and Digital Games Survey covering the financial year 2015/16, including subscription video on demand (SVOD) services for the first time. View statistics on:

Things to know

  • The Film, Television and Digital Games survey measures the financial, production and employment activity of screen production and post-production businesses, digital games businesses and broadcasters (free-to-air, subscription and subscription video on demand).
  • It has been conducted periodically by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on behalf of the Federal Government since 1993/94, providing an ongoing profile of the sector over time.
  • Digital games businesses were first incorporated in 2011/12 (following a standalone survey in 2006/07); while subscription video on demand (SVOD) services were incorporated for the first time in 2015/16.
  • 1,202 businesses were surveyed for the 2015/16 report.
  • Results for production and post production businesses are based on a weighted sample; however census level data can be generated for digital games businesses and broadcasters.
  • The survey reports against performance indicators such as: number of businesses, income, expenditure, employment, wages and salaries, profit, production costs, average cost per hour, average cost per production and industry value add (IVA). Some topline figures are also broken down by state.
  • Caution is advised when comparing data to previous surveys due to changes in methodology over time. For the 2015-16 survey a number of data items were expanded or grouped together to reflect the changing nature of the industry and some items may not be directly comparable. See the ABS explanatory notes.
  • Public broadcasters are surveyed but are not reported as a separate sector in the financial activity data due to their sample size. However production activity for the public broadcasters is included in the production activity data.

Complementary data

  • The Screen Currency report co-authored by Deloitte Access Economics and Olsberg SPI analysed the 2014/15 financial year, and measured the audience and cultural value of the screen industry in addition to economics. Screen Currency also considered wider impacts of the screen industry e.g. on tourism.
  • Like the ABS Survey, the latest annual Drama Report from Screen Australia analyses the 2015/16 year, however there are methodology differences e.g. the Drama Report details expenditure in the financial year in which principal photography commenced. The scope is also different, with the ABS Survey including all screen content rather than just drama.

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