The Government says that the new co-production agreement between the UK and Australia will grow and promote British film and television on the world stage, supporting the exchange of culture and creating more opportunities for UK producers, cast and crew.

The announcement follows the signing of the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement on 16 December 2021.

The Government says that the new agreement modernises the previous 30-year-old agreement, making it easier for UK and Australian filmmakers to co-produce film and TV content together and strengthening the Government’s commitment to creating more skilled jobs and opportunities in the creative industries.

The new agreement will allow UK-Australia co-productions to hire staff from third-party countries more easily and reflects the UK’s status as a standalone nation following the country’s exit from the EU. Co-producers will now also be able to make a smaller minimum financial contribution towards their project in order to benefit from the updated agreement.

According to the Government, since 2010 there have been more than 180 co-productions as a result of existing international agreements overseen by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), including The Father (France) and Brooklyn (Canada/Ireland). Co-productions made under the UK-Australia agreement include David Attenborough’s Life in Colour, and Shane, an upcoming documentary looking at the life and career of famous cricketer Shane Warne.

Neil Peplow, the BFI’s Director of Industry and International Affairs, said: “This revised co-production treaty provides UK and Australian producers with many more opportunities to build on the strong cultural and commercial ties we already enjoy. It will bring the two countries even closer together, and allow us to tell stories that define who we are and how we relate on a global stage”. To read the Government’s press release in full, click here.