Documentary Production
Budget Ranges

Proportion of Australian documentaries (not including broadcaster-produced titles) by budget range (2020 dollars), 2015/16–2019/20

Titles | Series hours

Titles: Proportion of documentary titles in various budget ranges

In the past five years, 58 per cent of single documentaries made by independent production companies have been produced for less than $500,000 per hour (in 2020 dollars). Over the same period, 31 per cent were made for between $500,000 and $1 million per hour and 11% per cent for more than $1 million per hour.

There is a similar pattern for documentary series. 70 per cent have been made for less than $500,000 per hour, 25 per cent between $500,000 and $1 million per hour and 5 per cent for more than $1 million per hour.