New South Wales is cementing its place in supporting the screen industry, with Screen NSW launching a new $1 million program to fast-track careers for crew into the screen industry, addressing skills shortages and boosting participation in roles behind the scenes.
The Screen NSW Crew Development Program will offer intensive training, which will be delivered with Australian Film TV and Radio School (AFTRS), TAFE NSW and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), paid production placements and mentorship across six departments for entry-level and mid-career crew from key priority areas. While New South Wales is the leading state for screen production in Australia, there is currently a national skilled-crew shortage, which is impacting many departments across screen production. This program will ensure there are sustainable pathways and career escalation opportunities for technical, production and on-set, or below the line, screen practitioners, while also encouraging participation from practitioners in key priority areas to create a more inclusive screen industry.
The program was first announced as part of the three-year NSW Screen & Digital Games Strategy, and marks another key commitment being met by Screen NSW for the local screen industry. Screen NSW undertook consultation with industry to identify departments in screen production which were most in need for entry-level and mid-career practitioners. These departments included:
- Production Accounts (Stream A)
- Location Department (Stream A)
- Production Management (Stream B)
- Post-Production Supervision (Stream B)
- Costume Department (Stream C)
- Art Department (Stream C)
The Crew Development Program will roll out in three streams, addressing two departments per stream and will be delivered in two stages. The first stage will support selected applicants to receive On Set Onboard training at AFTRS, followed by department-specific training with either AFTRS, TAFE NSW or NIDA. The second stage will support two applicants from each department to continue to a paid placement and receive two years of industry mentorship.
Applications for Stream A departments, with training to be undertaken at AFTRS, is now open and will close on 14 January 2026. Steam B departments, with training to be undertaken at TAFE NSW, and Stream C departments, with training to be undertaken at NIDA, will open for applications in 2026.
For more information, guidelines and to apply for Screen NSW’s Crew Development Program please visit the Screen NSW website.
Acting Head of Screen NSW Lauren Edwards said: “While many of us love to watch our favourite actors on screen, there are hundreds of people working behind the camera to bring these stories to life. Every role on set is essential to make these stories resonate and entertain, from the location managers who find the perfect setting for a scene, costume designers who dress the characters, and the production accountants who keep the projects on time and on budget. These roles behind the camera may often be unseen, but their impact is felt in every movie and series we watch.
“We have heard from the industry that there is a shortage of skilled crew, and the impact this is having on screen production in NSW. To make sure we continue to see local stories being made, and to ensure we continue to attract international blockbusters, we are growing our skilled workforce to better support our screen sector. This bespoke, hands-on program, delivered in part with our partners at AFTRS, TAFE NSW and NIDA, will ensure that these practitioners are ready for action on the sets of screen projects shot in NSW. We will grow our capacity for more film production in the state, as well as working towards a more inclusive screen industry by offering fast-track access and creating pathways for screen practitioners from our key priority areas, ensuring they have a strong foundation for their career in screen.
“This is a program for people who might be looking for a way into the screen industry – via an avenue they hadn’t thought of before and for those who are working in the sector and want to expand into other areas. With the Crew Development Program, we will continue to be the home of screen production, and screen careers, in Australia.”
Filmmaker Jane Campion said: “I love programs in the screen industry that educate emerging practitioners and young people. It’s what us older generation should be doing all the time because it’s crucial for the entire industry for there to be the passing on of knowledge and uplifting of young people entering our sector. Programs like this will create a flourishing and diverse screen community.”
NIDA CEO Liz Hughes said: “NSW’s screen industry is powered by essential roles behind the scenes, and NIDA is committed to providing practice-based learning that builds sustainable pathways into this exciting industry. NIDA is excited to partner with Screen NSW and our fellow educators AFTRS and TAFE NSW to deliver practical training for entry level Art Department and Costume roles. This new program will empower emerging creatives with the skills to shape a bold, world-class screen industry. Critically, it also helps to create a more inclusive screen industry and career opportunities. We encourage anyone who has considered a career in the sector to apply.”
AFTRS CEO Dr Nell Greenwood said: “AFTRS is proud to be working alongside industry and our education partners in NSW to provide practical training that will help address critical screen industry shortages while fostering a more inclusive workforce. Part of our remit is to deliver our world-class training to fill much-needed positions in the screen industry and this initiative is a welcome extension of that. We look forward to continued collaboration with Screen NSW, NIDA and TAFE NSW to pilot this program in the new year.
TAFE NSW Executive Director, Learning and Teaching, Raf Marcellino said: “TAFE NSW is proud to work with Screen NSW to deliver the practical skills industry needs to help bridge skills gaps and strengthen our creative workforce. Collaborating with AFTRS and NIDA ensures these programs create pathways into high-demand production roles and provide the job-ready workers needed to keep production strong in NSW.”