ENTERTAINMENT VISAS IN AUSTRALIA - CONNECTING FILMMAKERS WORLDWIDE TO AUSTRALIA
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ENTERTAINMENT
VISAS IN
AUSTRALIA
»» 1 CONNECTING FILMMAKERS WORLDWIDE TO AUSTRALIA
ENTERTAINMENT VISAS
QUICK FACTS
AUSFILM CONTACT DETAILS AUSFILM - CONNECTING FILMMAKERS
WORLDWIDE TO AUSTRALIA
Ausfilm Australia: + 61 2 9383 4192 Ausfilm promotes Australia’s incentive schemes,
Ausfilm USA: + 1 310 229 2362 locations and capabilities worldwide to assist
info@ausfilm.com.au international screen producers to make their
www.ausfilm.com productions in Australia. Ausfilm is an Australian
industry-government partnership. It comprises
Australia’s Federal, Territory and State Governments,
the major studios and the leading post and digital
effects facilities and production service providers.
ENTERTAINMENT VISAS
All persons working in Australia’s entertainment
industry (including film, television or live
performances), who are not Australian citizens or
Ausfilm is supported permanent residents, need a temporary work visa for
by the Australian
Government
the duration of their stay.
through the Cultural
Development Program
administered by the
Whilst the most appropriate visa for persons
Attorney-General’s wishing to work in Australia in a role related to the
Department.
entertainment industry will be the Temporary Work
(Entertainment) (subclass 420) visa, there are limited
DISCLAIMER circumstances where one of the following visas may
This fact sheet provides a brief overview of the be available:
Australian visa requirements for media and »» Visitor (subclass 600);
entertainment industry personnel. You should engage »» Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601); and
a local production services company to assist with »» eVisitor (subclass 651).
your Australian production including immigration
processes. You may also need to seek advice from
a qualified entertainment industry immigration Please note:
specialist. »» Visa fees will apply (except for eVisitor visas);
»» Visa applications may take up to 3 months to
Immigration requirements may vary depending on the process;
nature of the work to be performed in Australia. For »» Health and character requirements apply;
more detailed information contact: The Department of »» You may need to demonstrate you have adequate
Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) means to support yourself while in Australia; and
www.immi.gov.au »» You may need to demonstrate that you have
incentive to return to your usual place of residence
when your Australian visa expires.
»» 1
ENTERTAINMENT VISAS
QUICK FACTS
TEMPORARY WORK (ENTERTAINMENT) WHAT STEPS ARE INVOLVED IN APPLYING FOR AN
(SUBCLASS 420) VISA ENTERTAINMENT VISA?
The following is an overview of the main steps
This visa is the most common visa for international involved in applying for an entertainment visa.
productions filming in Australia. The process for the grant of an Entertainment visa
involves:
ELIGIBILITY »» Having a person or Australian entity become an
The subclass 420 visa is for temporary work in approved sponsor;
Australia in the entertainment industry including work »» Consulting with, in most cases, the Media,
in film, television or live productions. Requirements Entertainment and Arts Alliance (categories A-E,
differ for the following categories: inclusive);
»» Making an application to the Ministry for the Arts (a
»» A) Performers in film or television productions that government agency) for the importation of foreign
are subsidised by a government in Australia; performers (categories A & B);
»» B) Performers in film or television productions that »» Having the approved sponsor nominate the
are not subsidised by a government in Australia; entertainment personnel; and
»» C) Performers not in film or television (i.e. live »» Having the entertainment personnel lodge a visa
performances); application.
»» D) Production roles other than as a performer (e.g.
directors, camera crew etc.); AUSTRALIAN SPONSORS
»» E) Support staff for an entertainer or group of The subclass 420 visa requires you to have an
entertainers (e.g. make-up artists, hairdressers, appropriate Australian sponsor to nominate you.
stylists etc.); For example, your Australian production services
»» F) Non-profit engagements; and company may be able to act as your sponsor.
»» G) Documentaries and commercials made for a
market outside Australia. A sponsor can be:
»» An Australian organisation;
Some explanation of the requirements for each »» An Australian government agency;
category of subclass 420 visa is set out below. If »» A foreign government agency operating in
in doubt about your eligibility you should make Australia; and
enquiries via email to a qualified immigration adviser »» An Australian citizen or permanent resident.
or the Parramatta Entertainment Visa Centre:
www.immi.gov.au/contacts/forms/email/eform- All sponsors must be approved as a sponsor (by
processing-centres.htm submitting a DIBP Form 1420S) before they can
nominate personnel (DIBP Form 1420N) for a subclass
WHAT THIS VISA ALLOWS YOU TO DO 420 visa. Visa applications can then be lodged (DIBP
With this visa an individual or a group can: Form 1420).
»» Stay and work in the entertainment industry in
Australia for an extended period; DIBP forms are available at https://www.immi.gov.au/
»» Undertake the work or activity specified in the visa allforms/application-forms/
application; and
»» Bring family members (eligible additional CONSULTATION WITH THE UNION - CATEGORIES
applicants) to Australia. (Note: additional applicants A – E, INCLUSIVE
attract an increased fee). A sponsor, prior to nominating a person, must consult
with the relevant Australian union in relation to the
More detailed information about this visa can be employment or engagement of overseas personnel.
found on DIBP’s website: http://www.immi.gov.au/ The relevant Australian union is usually the Media,
Visas/Pages/420.aspx Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) unless the
applicant is a musician or conductor (the relevant
Australian union is then the Musicians Union of
»» 2 Australia).ENTERTAINMENT VISAS
QUICK FACTS
Matters that MEAA is concerned with include whether LODGING AN APPLICATION
the overseas personnel will receive remuneration Sponsorship and visa application forms, together
and be afforded working terms and conditions, with any other supporting documentation, must be
including accommodation, travel and transport within lodged at the Entertainment Visa Centre at the DIBP’s
Australia and per diems, no less favourable than Parramatta office.
those contained in the relevant Australian award/ Documentation required includes:
agreement. »» Completed Sponsorship Form 1420S;
»» Completed Nomination Form 1420N;
MEAA has published a schedule of fees and a »» Completed Visa Application Form 1420;
requested list of documents. You may wish to contact »» Copies of the deal memo/contract for each
MEAA to discuss the requirements, or contact Screen applicant;
Producers Australia, if you are a member of a similar »» Evidence of consultation with the relevant union,
industry association in your home country. where required;
»» A Ministry for the Arts Certificates to Import Foreign
SPONSOR MUST APPLY TO THE MINISTRY FOR THE Actors for a Film or Television Production (where
ARTS FOR A CERTIFICATE TO IMPORT FOREIGN required);
ACTORS - CATEGORIES A & B »» Evidence that each applicant holds private health
This requirement is to ensure relevant Australian insurance;
content criteria have been met for Australian »» A copy of each applicant’s curriculum vitae;
subsidised screen productions or that Australians have »» A copy of each applicant’s itinerary; and
been given a reasonable opportunity to participate »» A copy of each applicant’s biographical passport
in all levels of the production for unsubsidised page.
productions.
Other documents will need to be provided in support
Foreign performer importation guidelines and of the sponsorship and nomination applications
application forms for certificates can be obtained depending on your particular circumstances.
at http://arts.gov.au/guidelines-entry-to-Australia-
foreign-actors WHAT WILL IT COST?
Most stages of the visa process attract a fee. The
Once a sponsor has received a written opinion cost of visas and sponsorship services will vary
from the union, they can apply to the Foreign Actor depending on the size of the production, the number
Certification Scheme Desk Officer (through the of people you are importing and the complexity of the
Ministry for the Arts website). requirements for each person. Advice on current rates
for DIBP fees can be found at http://www.immi.gov.
Where the union does not support the application au/Visas/Pages/Pricing-Estimator.aspx
(or has not provided a letter of opinion at all) within
14 days, the Ministry for the Arts may take this into HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
consideration. The following is a rough guide to the time required to
process each stage of the visa application process:
»» MEAA consultation - 14 days for performers and 5
working days for other personnel.
»» Ministry for the Arts certificate - 5 working days
»» Entertainment Visa (subclass 420) – 2/3 months.
»» 3ENTERTAINMENT VISAS
QUICK FACTS
BUSINESS ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORITY OTHERS - SHORT TERM BUSINESS VISAS
(ETA) & E-VISITOR Visas
The Visitor (subclass 600) visa may be appropriate if
ELIGIBILITY you:
Only apply for an ETA or eVisitor visa if you:
»» Will only be undertaking limited work (i.e. you »» Do not hold an ETA or eVisitor visa eligible
are planning a short visit to Australia to explore passport; or
shooting options; or you are holding meetings or »» Need to stay in Australia for a period longer than 3
undertaking a location survey); months.
»» Are staying for less than 3 months; and
»» Will not be involved in the physical production of Alternatively, check other options at
your project. http://www.immi.gov.au/Work/Pages/Work.aspx or
contact your nearest Australian Immigration office
ETA visas are only available for people who hold an for further options: http://www.immi.gov.au/Help/
ETA-eligible passport. A list of ETA-eligible passports Locations/Pages/our-offices.aspx
can be viewed at: http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/
Pages/601.aspx
eVisitor visas are only available to people who are a
passport holder from the European Union or a number
of other European countries. Check eligibility at
http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/651.aspx
PERIOD OF STAY
ETA and eVisitor visas allow their holders to stay in
Australia for up to 3 months on each visit for the life
of the visa (that is, they can make unlimited trips to
Australia, but the periods of stay must be less than 3
months).
HOW TO APPLY
Passport holders from Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong,
Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and the
United States of America can apply for an ETA visa
online at https://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETA/etas.jsp
Other ETA eligible persons will need to apply through
a travel agent, airline, specialist service provider or an
Australian visa office outside Australia.
Applications for eVisitor visas can be made online at:
http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/651.aspx
»» 4USEFUL CONTACTS
GOVERNMENT IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS
DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION & BORDER HOLDING REDLICH
PROTECTION Tel: + 61 7 3135 0675
Australian Immigration Offices - International paul.hardman@holdingredlich.com
For enquiries made from outside Australia go to
http://www.immi.gov.au/Help/Locations/Pages/ www.holdingredlich.com
our-offices.aspx
AUSFILM MEMBER PRODUCTION SERVICES
Australian Immigration Offices - within Australia COMPANIES
Enquiry line: 131 881; choose the “Business” option
for film industry visas (usually Entertainment Visa BEYOND INTERNATIONAL LTD
subclass 420) http://www.immi.gov.au/Help/Pages/ Tel: + 61 2 9437 2000
Help.aspx
mikael.borglund@beyond.com.au
Parramatta Entertainment Visa Centre www.beyond.com.au
http://www.immi.gov.au/Help/Locations/Pages/
Australia.aspx AUSFILM MEMBER STUDIOS
(May have production facilitation services)
MINISTRY FOR THE ARTS
ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT ADELAIDE STUDIOS
Tel: +61 2 6141 6666
Tel: +61 8 8394 2000
http://arts.gov.au/film-tv
jo.mulcahy@safilm.com.au
UNION www.adelaidestudios.com.au
MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS ALLIANCE (MEAA) DOCKLANDS STUDIOS
Tel: +61 2 9333 0999 or 1300 656 512 Tel: +61 3 8327 2000
federal@alliance.org.au info@dsmelbourne.com
www.alliance.org.au www.dsmelbourne.com
AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
Screen Producers Australia (SPAA) FOX STUDIOS AUSTRALIA
Tel: 61 2 9360 8988 Tel: +61 2 9383 4100
www.screenproducersaustralia.org.au morgan.hunwicks@foxaus.com
www.foxstudiosaustralia.com
VILLAGE ROADSHOW STUDIOS
Tel: +61 7 5585 9601
benzie@villageroadshowstudios.com.au
www.movieworldstudios.com.au
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