Business Information Centre
QAPE Opinion Australia: What Film Producers Need to Know
If you are financing an Australian film or television production, your lender will almost certainly require a QAPE opinion before releasing funds. Understanding QAPE opinion Australia requirements is essential for any producer seeking offset finance. A QAPE opinion is...
Travel Deductions for Film Crew Australia: What You Can Claim
Travel deductions are one of the biggest tax benefits available to Australian film crew working on location. Australian film crew can claim tax deductions for travel expenses when working on location shoots away from their regular base, travelling between multiple...
Actor Tax Deductions Australia: Complete 2025-26 Checklist
Knowing which tax deductions you can claim as an actor in Australia can save you thousands each year. Australian actors can claim tax deductions for a wide range of work-related expenses, including agent commissions, costumes and wardrobe, acting classes, travel...
Equipment Depreciation for Film Production Australia
Film equipment depreciation affects every production company and freelance crew member in Australia. Film production equipment can be depreciated over its ATO-determined effective life using either the prime cost or diminishing value method. Small businesses (under...
ABN vs Employee in the Film Industry: A Complete Guide for Australian Productions
In the Australian film industry, whether a worker should be on an ABN (contractor) or payroll (employee) depends on the ATO’s multi-factor test, which examines control, tools, financial risk and the right to delegate. The question of ABN vs employee film...
GST for Film Production Australia: Complete Guide for Producers
GST applies to most goods and services in Australian film production at the standard rate of 10%. Production companies with annual turnover exceeding $75,000 must register for GST, charge it on taxable supplies, lodge Business Activity Statements, and can claim input...
UGC Creator Tax Australia: Income, Deductions & GST Guide
If you earn money as a UGC creator in Australia, that income is taxable. Whether you receive payments per project, monthly retainers, or gifted products, the ATO treats UGC creation as assessable income. You need an ABN, must lodge tax returns, and can claim...
Film Production Cost Reports: The Complete Australian Guide
A film production cost report is a weekly financial document prepared by the production accountant that compares budgeted costs against actual expenditure, committed costs, and estimated final costs for every line item in the production budget. It is the primary tool...
Podcast Tax Deductions Australia: What You Can Claim in 2025-26
If you run a podcast as a business in Australia, you can claim tax deductions for recording equipment, software subscriptions, hosting fees, home studio costs, internet, travel for interviews, music licensing, marketing, and professional development. The key...
Tax for YouTubers in Australia: Complete Guide
Is YouTube Income Taxable in Australia? Yes. All income you earn from YouTube is taxable in Australia, regardless of how it is paid or where the payment comes from. This includes AdSense revenue, sponsorship deals, channel memberships, Super Chat and Super Stickers,...
Loan-Out Companies for Actors and Creatives in Australia
What Is a Loan-Out Company? A loan-out company is a business entity created by an entertainment professional (an actor, director, producer, writer, or other creative) through which they offer their services to production companies and clients. Instead of contracting...
ABN for Actors in Australia: Do You Need One?
Do Actors Need an ABN in Australia? Whether you need an Australian Business Number (ABN) as an actor depends on how you are engaged. If you work as an independent contractor (invoicing production companies, agencies, or clients for your services), you need an ABN. If...
Case Study: Full Production Accounting for a $2.5M Feature Film
Managing the Full Financial Lifecycle of a Feature Film Earlier this year, a first-time feature film producer came to Count Out Loud with a project that was fully financed and ready to go into pre-production. The film had a confirmed budget of $2.5 million, four...
Case Study: How We Recovered $26,100 in Missing Documentary Producer Offset
When the Numbers Do Not Add Up – A Documentary Offset Recovery Note: The details in this case study have been anonymised to protect client confidentiality. The financial figures and production details are representative of a real engagement. I got a call late...
The Complete Tax Guide for Creative Freelancers in Australia
If you earn your living as a freelance filmmaker, actor, musician, designer, writer, or any other kind of creative professional in Australia, your tax situation is unlike almost anyone else’s. Your income is irregular. Your expenses blur the line between...
Setting Up an SPV for Your Film Production in Australia
What is an SPV and Why Do Film Productions Need One? An SPV – or Special Purpose Vehicle – is a company set up specifically for a single production. Rather than running your film through an existing business entity or your personal affairs, you create a...
How to Claim the Producer Offset in Australia: Step-by-Step Guide
How Do You Claim the Producer Offset in Australia? The Screen Producer Offset (commonly called the Producer Offset) is a refundable tax offset under Division 376 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, administered by Screen Australia. To claim this offset, you apply...
Income Averaging for Filmmakers: How Special Professionals Save Thousands on Tax
What is Income Averaging for Special Professionals? Income averaging is a tax calculation under Division 405 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 that allows eligible creative professionals, including actors, directors, producers, writers, and musicians, to smooth...
Why Count Out Loud is a Xero Platinum Champion Partner for Film and TV
As a Xero Gold Partner, we are dedicated to maximising the potential of Xero to serve our clients better. Learn more!
Budgeting for Film Productions and Creative Businesses
Budgeting isn’t something you set and forget. To keep things running smoothly, it’s important to go over your budget regularly.
Superannuation for Film Crews and Creative Industry Workers
Are you confident about expected superannuation contributions by employers and what happens if you miss a payment?
When Should a Filmmaker or Producer Incorporate?
We’ve helped many businesses move from being a sole trader to a company structure – here’s where to start your business transition.
Financial Strategies for Growing Your Production Company
Growing a business means more than just staying afloat. To ensure long-term success, you need to make smart financial decisions.
Penalty for Failure to Lodge Activity Statement on Time (2026 Guide)
Missed lodging on time? Find out what you can expect from the ATO if you fail to meet your tax lodgment obligations on time and what you should do next.
Production Accountant vs Bookkeeper: What Your Film Actually Needs
Do You Need a Production Accountant or a Bookkeeper? It is one of the most common questions we hear from first-time producers and emerging production companies: do I need a production accountant, a bookkeeper, or both? The answer is not as simple as picking one or the...
Key Tax and Business Changes Each Financial Year
Staying Ahead of Financial Year Changes Every 1 July brings a fresh wave of regulatory and tax changes that can catch businesses off guard - particularly those operating in Australia's creative and production industries. From superannuation rate increases that...
Australian Film Tax Offsets: The Complete Guide for Producers
What Are Australia’s Film Tax Offsets? Australia offers four refundable tax offsets designed to support screen production and digital games development. These offsets – the Producer Offset, the Location Offset, the PDV Offset, and the Digital Games Tax Offset...
Federal Budget Highlights for Small Business and Creative Industries
Federal Budget – What It Means for Small Business and Creatives Every May, the Australian Federal Budget sets the direction for small businesses, sole traders, and creative industry professionals. For production companies, freelance crew, and small businesses in...
What is QAPE? A Producer’s Complete Checklist
What is QAPE? QAPE stands for Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure. It is the measure used to calculate the value of Australia’s screen production tax offsets – the Producer Offset, the Location Offset, the PDV Offset, and the Digital Games Tax Offset....
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER – AUGUST 2023
Count Out Loud have taken out the Services & Facilities Business of the year award at the 2022 annual Screen Producers conference.
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