Screen NSW Attachment Register

There is no official deadline for the Screen NSW Attachment Register. 

Expressions of interest will be considered against available positions, on a rolling basis at any time during the year. 

• Screen practitioners 18 year +
• NSW Based, and have been for the last 6 months
• Australian Permanent resident or citizen
• Meets one of the priority groups
• Can only be granted one production attachment per field per year
• Attachment to a senior crew member or manager for supervision
• You must be an early or mid-career screen practitioner,
• You must be an individual, have a valid ABN and, if required by law, be registered for GST.  
• Please read these guidelines alongside the Create NSW Terms of Trade for our general eligibility requirements.

What support material is required for the expression of interest? 

To apply for inclusion on the Screen NSW Attachment Register you will be asked to provide the following support material in the application form:

• CV outlining your experience. This can be maximum 3 pages. Please include date and contact details. CVs should be updated every 12 months.
•  Details of two industry referees.
• Sample of work, such as a writing sample or showreel. If submitting a showreel or file exceeding 5MB, please provide a link to the video/file download.
• You will also have the option of uploading the details of any projects you might be developing and any creative ideas or prototypes. Supporting documentation - one pagers, documents containing links to files etc. - can be uploaded.

Now that I’ve applied to go on the register what happens next?

Screen NSW staff members will review your application and eligibility. If you fulfil all eligibility criteria, your application will be added to the database with your CV and supporting material. Once a production company has identified the attachment position to be filled, the Sector Investment Manager will refer to the database and assess suitable candidates to put forward to the production company for consideration. You will be notified by the production company if your application has progressed to shortlisting stage.

What is the definition of emerging Screen practitioner?

The attachee must have some experience or training in the relevant area and be able to demonstrate how the attachment position will improve or enhance their career development or increase their skills in their chosen area. 

What is the definition of a mid-career and established practitioner? 

Mid-career and established practitioners are practicing screen professionals in the mid-late stages of their careers with a significant history of practice and credits, a significant body of work and a degree of recognition. 

What projects have attachments?

All those productions that meet the investment threshold from Screen NSW are required to provide an attachment position. These productions range from TV Series, Mini-Series, Feature Films and Factual Series. 

Who will benefit from having attachments?

Emerging, mid-level and established career creatives and crew that need to extend their production experience and/or take the next step in establishing an ongoing career. The attachment can be an above or below the line position but must have as its primary objective the ability to offer a meaningful learning and experiential opportunity. It cannot replace an existing crew position. 

Great, I’m attached and ready to start! How will it work?

The attachee will become an employee or contractor of the production and the production will cover all necessary insurances. The production will pay the agreed fees and/or expenses to the attachee direct plus any associated fringes. They will be credited as a Screen NSW Attachment to the relevant position/department.

What reporting is required after the attachment?

Once the attachment is completed, an acquittal report from both the production company and the attachment will be required. The acquittal report templates will be provided by Screen NSW. 

Screen NSW is committed to promoting diversity of opportunity in the screen industry as well as the diversity of screen stories. Alongside its commitment to gender equality and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation, Screen NSW supports the expansion of talent and stories from all genders, cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations.

Assessment Criteria

Expressions of Interest will be assessed for inclusion on the register against a common set of criteria.

Those included on the register will have demonstrated: 

• experience relevant to the position they are applying for; 

• an understanding of the proposed role; and

• a commitment to pursuing a career in the industry/department/role. 

Feedback, review and formal complaints procedures 

If you would like to provide us with feedback, or believe you have cause for complaint, the details of our Feedback, Review and Formal Complaints Procedures are available here.

How do I access the registered Screen practitioners seeking an attachment?

Producers can contact their Sector Investment Manager from the Screen Industry Development teamwith information on the attachment role/s they are looking to fill. Screen NSW will provide producers with the CV and supporting materials of suitable candidates for consideration. 

What is the definition of emerging Screen practitioner?

The attachee must have some experience or training in the relevant area and be able to demonstrate how the attachment position will improve or enhance their career development or increase their skills in their chosen area. 

What is the minimum engagement period?

Attachments must be employed at no less than industry award rates (for 40-hour weeks, Level 1 MPPA rate, not including scheduled or standard overtime) and must be of a duration that is at least equivalent to the number of scheduled shooting weeks (a minimum of 6 weeks). 

Applicants for production finance must allow for the fulfilment of this obligation in their production budgets and provide the proposed position of each attachment at the time of application, and the name if available. (Check Terms of Trade and Contracting for more information).

What is the definition of a mid-career and established practitioner?

Mid-career and established practitioners are practicising screen professionals in the mid-late stages of their careers with a significant history of practice and credits, a significant body of work and a degree of recognition. 

I already have a talented up and coming filmmaker in mind, can I give my attachment to them?

Producers wishing to put forward someone for consideration will need to advise the Attachee to apply to the Screen NSW Attachment Register via the smartygrants portal and provide their CV for screening and assessment.

Great, I’m attached and ready to start! How will it work?

The attachee will become an employee or contractor of the production and the production will cover all necessary insurances. The production will pay the agreed fees and/or expenses to the attachee direct plus any associated fringes. They will be credited as a Screen NSW Attachment to the relevant position/department.

Can I combine other industry attachments? 

No. Screen NSW requires their own production attachments as per Screen NSW  Terms of Trade. 

Can the attachee be kept on as part of the crew after the attachment period ends?

Yes, productions can continue the employment of the attachee as a suitable industry rate if they are required. However, the attachment position should not replace a required crew position at the outset of the production. Their ongoing employment should be as an additional crew member, not a replacement of a skilled crew member.

Can I put forward the same attachee a second time in another position on another project?

No. The attachment scheme is intended to provide opportunity for a wide number of practitioners to gain skills to gain a genuine role on a production.

For more information about the Screen NSW Attachment Register or to discuss your expression of interest, contact Nadia Obeid by email to nadia.obeid@create.nsw.gov.au

Screen NSW Staff are available between 9 am and 5 pm (AEST/AEDT) Monday to Friday to provide advice on interpreting the guidelines and the type of activities that are relevant to each program category.