US Film Production shooting in Australia
How We Can Help American Producers?
Our expert service is designed to bridge the gap between US studio legal requirements and Australian legal realities, ensuring your production runs smoothly, complies with local laws, and maximises available incentives.
Maximising Financial Incentives and Tax Offsets
Understanding and securing Australian government incentives is crucial for your bottom line. We provide expert advice on:
Federal Tax Offsets: Guidance on the Location Offset (up to 30% rebate on Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure, or QAPE) and the Post, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) Offset (30% rebate), including eligibility, application, and compliance.
State Incentives and Grants: Advising on regional, state, and territory incentives (which can often be combined with Federal Offsets) to secure maximum financial benefit.
QAPE Compliance: Structuring your expenditure and production activity to meet the strict "Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure" rules.
Final Certification: Managing the process of obtaining provisional and final certificates from the relevant government bodies (e.g., Office for the Arts, Screen Australia).
Production Legal & Contractual Services
We handle all production-related agreements and legal clearances, ensuring your project has a solid legal foundation from development through to distribution.
Contract Drafting & Negotiation: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating key agreements under Australian law, including cast, crew, and above-the-line talent agreements.
Union & Guild Compliance: Advising on Australian industry awards, agreements, and union requirements (e.g., MEAA), ensuring compliance and managing industrial relations.
Chain of Title & Clearances: Providing legal opinions on chain of title, and managing all necessary location agreements, music licensing, and intellectual property (IP) clearances in Australia.
Risk Mitigation: Advising on Australian defamation, privacy, and censorship laws, and managing Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance requirements.
Corporate & Regulatory Establishment
We ensure your US company is legally structured and compliant to operate and claim incentives in Australia.
Business Structuring: Establishing the appropriate legal entity in Australia (e.g., a foreign company registering a permanent establishment) for production.
Tax Registration: Assisting with Australian Business Number (ABN) and tax registration requirements.
Our Strategic Advantage
LA-Based, Australian Counsel: Our key differentiator is our Australian lawyer based in Los Angeles. This provides US producers with convenient, in-person access to expert Australian law advice during the crucial development and financing stages, bridging the time zone and legal gap instantly.
Industry Focus: We are heavily involved in the Australian film industry, with lawyers who have acted for national and international artists and worked alongside producers on various projects.
International Experience: We understand the expectations and processes of US studios and production companies, providing advice that is both locally accurate and globally informed.
Practical Approach: We deliver strategic, decisive, and timely advice, focusing on creative legal solutions to keep your production on track and within budget.
Schedule a Consultation with our LA based Attorney today.
Consultation by appointment only