Australian Entertainment and Film Visas

Alberta Miculan provides expert service to performers, technicians and support personnel wanting to enter Australia to work in film, television or live productions. Her Australian immigration expertise includes liaison with the relevant Australian entertainment bodies and unions, and certification by Australian Government Departments. Alberta’s excellent industry knowledge and experience help to generate quick application turnarounds. Alberta has relationships with Australian based associates who can provide sponsorship and up-to-the-minute advice on production needs in Australia, as well as give recommendations for local talent and crew, if required. Two visa options are available for persons planning to enter Australia to work in film, television or live productions: the Entertainment Visa (Subclass 420) or the Media Film and Staff Visa (Subclass 423).

Australian Entertainment Visa (Subclass 420)

This visa is for you if you intend to work temporarily in Australia in the entertainment industry. You may undertake work in film, television or live productions in either a performance or behind-the scenes role, such as, directors, producers and other production personnel. The requirements you must meet to be eligible for this visa are different depending on your intended role in the entertainment industry.

Performer in a film or television production

For performers in one or more specific engagements, (other than non–commercial engagements of a cultural or educational nature), who will take part in a film or television production in Australia. You must be sponsored by a person or organization in Australia.

Performer not in film or television

For performers in one or more specific engagements in Australia, (other than non-commercial engagements of a cultural or educational nature) whose engagements do not relate to a film or television production. You must be sponsored by a person or organization in Australia.

Supporting an entertainer or group of entertainers

For persons supporting an entertainer or group of entertainers (whether by assisting performance or by personal services) in relation to a performing contract for one or more specific engagements in Australia. You must be sponsored by a person or organization in Australia.

Directors and producers

For persons who are directing, producing or taking some other part (other than as a performer) in a theatre, film, television or radio production, or a concert or recording to be performed or shown in Australia, being a production, concert or recording that involves the employment of at least one Australian resident. You must be sponsored by a person or organization in Australia. Under the Entertainment visa category you must demonstrate that the activity in Australia will bring a net employment benefit to the Australian entertainment industry. This means there would be a net employment benefit if the undertaking of the activity would lead to greater employment of Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents (or both) than if a person normally resides in Australia undertook the activity.

Non-commercial productions and non-profit organizations

This includes cultural or educational engagements for non-commercial purposes. Sponsorship by a person or organization in Australia maybe required unless you are entering under a country-to-country agreement.

Country to country agreements

For persons who seek to enter Australia under an agreement between Australia and another country. Australia currently has co-production arrangements with Canada, China, Israel, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France and New Zealand. You do not need sponsorship if you are entering Australia under a country-to-country agreement.

Media and Film Staff Visa (Subclass 423)

This visa is for media and television or film staff, including actors, production and support staff and still-photographers who are involved in the production of documentary programs or commercials in Australia, exclusively for use outside Australia. This visa provides for the temporary stay of:

• Journalists, correspondents or reporters representing overseas news organizations
• Television or film crew, including actors, production and support staff and still-photographers, involved in the production of documentary programs or commercials where the initial point of distribution is for use outside Australia
• A documentary program is defined by the Australian Broadcasting Authority as a program that is a creative treatment of actuality other than news, current affairs, sports coverage, magazine, infotainment, or light entertainment program
• Note: If your documentary program or commercials will be screened in Australia, you will need to apply for the Entertainment visa
• For this visa you will need to be sponsored and nominated by an organization or eligible individual in Australia.Overseas media staff intending to film or take photographs in Australian National Parks for commercial purposes should also apply for this visa.