Applications open for Industry Development Program (Australia)

The Industry Development Program 2026/27 provides funding through Screen NSW to support organisations delivering professional development and upskilling initiatives for screen and digital games practitioners across New South Wales. The program offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $150,000 for workshops, masterclasses, labs, forums, and other initiatives that strengthen skills, career pathways, and industry growth.

Industry Development Program 2026/27

The Industry Development Program 2026/27 supports organisations that deliver professional development, training, and industry capacity-building initiatives for screen and digital games practitioners across New South Wales.

Funded and administered by Screen NSW, a division within the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport, the program aims to build a skilled, innovative, and globally competitive screen and digital games industry by investing in workforce development and professional learning opportunities.

Program Objectives

The Industry Development Program aims to:

• Deliver inclusive professional development opportunities for emerging and mid-career screen and digital games practitioners.
• Strengthen the capability and sustainability of the NSW screen and digital games industries.
• Support employment opportunities and long-term career pathways.
• Build the capacity of screen and digital games organisations.
• Foster the next generation of industry professionals through targeted upskilling initiatives.
• Encourage collaboration, strategic partnerships, and business development across the sector.
• Promote innovation and the adoption of industry best practices.
• Increase access to professional development opportunities for underrepresented communities.

Priority Communities

The program encourages initiatives that increase participation from:

• Regional NSW communities.
• Western Sydney communities.
• First Nations communities.
• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• People living with disability.
• LGBTQIA+ communities.

Grant Amount

The program provides grants ranging from $5,000 to $150,000.

Applicants may apply for:

• Single-year funding.
• Multi-year funding.

Funding requests should be reasonable and proportionate to the scope and scale of the proposed initiative.

Eligible Activities

Funding supports one-off and recurring professional development initiatives, including:

• Workshops.
• Masterclasses.
• Industry forums.
• Professional development labs.
• Training programs.
• Skills development initiatives.
• Industry networking events.
• Business development activities.
• Strategic partnership initiatives.
• Capacity-building programs for screen and digital games practitioners.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include Australian organisations such as:

• Companies.
• Incorporated not-for-profit organisations.
• Co-operatives.
• Trusts.
• Local government authorities.
• Consortia or collaborative groups of organisations with a nominated lead organisation.

Applicants must:

• Hold a valid Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Be legally constituted.
• Meet the general eligibility requirements of Screen NSW.

Funding Requirements

Applicants are encouraged to secure additional financial or in-kind support where possible.

Examples include:

• Sponsorship.
• Government grants.
• Industry partnerships.
• Venue support.
• Professional services.
• Donations.
• Other revenue sources.

Applications demonstrating additional financial or in-kind contributions are generally considered more competitive.

Eligible Initiatives

Projects supported under the program may include:

• Professional development workshops.
• Industry masterclasses.
• Mentoring and coaching programs.
• Skills training for emerging practitioners.
• Business and leadership development.
• Digital games industry training.
• Screen industry networking events.
• Collaborative industry projects.
• Workforce capability initiatives.

Program Benefits

The Industry Development Program helps to:

• Strengthen the professional skills of NSW screen and digital games practitioners.
• Improve workforce capability across the creative industries.
• Support sustainable employment and career progression.
• Encourage innovation and knowledge sharing.
• Build stronger partnerships across the industry.
• Expand opportunities for practitioners from priority communities.
• Increase the long-term competitiveness of the NSW screen and digital games sectors.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their chances of success by:

• Demonstrating clear industry demand for the proposed initiative.
• Showing measurable professional development outcomes.
• Explaining benefits for emerging and mid-career practitioners.
• Including realistic budgets and project timelines.
• Securing additional funding or in-kind support.
• Demonstrating organisational experience and delivery capacity.
• Highlighting partnerships with industry stakeholders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Industry Development Program 2026/27?

Australian organisations, including companies, incorporated not-for-profit organisations, co-operatives, trusts, local government authorities, and eligible collaborative groups with a nominated lead organisation, may apply.

How much funding is available?

Applicants may request grants ranging from $5,000 to $150,000.

What activities are eligible for funding?

Funding supports workshops, masterclasses, forums, labs, networking events, training programs, mentoring initiatives, and other professional development activities for screen and digital games practitioners.

Can applicants request multi-year funding?

Yes. Organisations may apply for either single-year or multi-year funding, depending on the nature and duration of their initiative.

Is additional financial support required?

While not mandatory, applications that demonstrate additional financial or in-kind support—such as sponsorships, partnerships, or other revenue sources—are generally more competitive.

Who does the program aim to support?

The program supports organisations delivering professional development initiatives that benefit emerging and mid-career screen and digital games practitioners across New South Wales, with a strong focus on increasing opportunities for priority communities.

Conclusion

The Industry Development Program 2026/27 provides significant funding to help organisations deliver professional development, workforce training, and industry capacity-building initiatives for screen and digital games practitioners across New South Wales. By investing in skills development, collaboration, innovation, and inclusive career pathways, the program strengthens the long-term sustainability and global competitiveness of the NSW screen and digital games industries while expanding opportunities for practitioners from diverse and underrepresented communities.