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Update from the Producer Offset and Co-production Unit

An update from the Producer Offset and Co-production Unit (POCU).

Changes to the Producer Offset legislation

Federal parliament last week approved changes to the legislation governing the Producer Offset (Division 376 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997), which you can read here. The changes will apply to productions that have commenced or will commence principal photography on or after 1 July 2021. It is anticipated that the changes will be in force from 1 January 2022. Work is currently being done to revise the Producer Offset guidelines to reflect the changes, which will be published on the Screen Australia website.

Assessment timeframes

Unfortunately the majority of applications currently being submitted to POCU are incomplete or contain errors. This slows down the processing of all applications. As well, POCU is receiving and working through a high volume of applications. 

Here is the current guide to assessment timeframes for complete applications only:

  • Logging: your application must first be logged, then the assessment process starts . Complete applications are estimated to be logged within 5 weeks of being submitted. This timeframe will be longer if your application is missing supporting documents or contains errors;
  • Provisional Certificates: assessments are expected to be finalised between 8-10 weeks from receipt of a complete application. This timeframe will be longer if your application is missing supporting documents or contains errors;
  • Final Certificates: assessments are expected to be finalised within approximately 16 weeks from receipt of a complete application. This timeframe will be longer if your application is missing supporting documents or contains errors.

The above timeframes are guides only. You should anticipate longer timelines in the event that your application:

  • is incomplete and/or contains errors;
  • includes high levels of interested party expenditure;
  • makes claims for expenditure which are not supported by proper documentation; and/or
  • is large or complex.

Screen Australia shut down

Screen Australia will be closed from 25 December 2021 until Monday 10 January 2022. POCU will be operating on skeleton staff until Monday 17 January 2022. Please allow an additional three weeks of additional processing time in relation to the above logging and assessment timeframes.

The POCU team wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday period.