Screen NSW will offer a competitive new incentive for digital games as part of a plan to accelerate the growth of the state’s games industry.

Screen NSW will offer a competitive new incentive for digital games as part of a plan to accelerate the growth of the state’s games industry.

From 1 October 2021, Screen NSW will widen its current 10% post, digital and visual effects (PDV) rebate to eligible games projects developed in NSW.  To qualify for the NSW rebate a games project must spend at least $500,000 in NSW.

The rebate will be on top of the new 30 per cent refundable tax offset for digital games to be introduced by the Australian Government from July 2022. 

Eligible projects include games for entertainment and serious games. Projects can be produced for any platform including console, desktop, tablet or mobile.

The NSW incentive for the games industry will allow existing NSW-based companies to further grow their businesses and provide an incentive for international studios and investors to consider NSW as a destination of choice for games development.

Applicants could be either a NSW company or an international or interstate publisher/developer engaging a NSW company, and there can only be one applicant for a particular game.

The NSW PDV rebate has led to an upsurge in visual effects and animation work in the state and was a key factor in Industrial Light & Magic’s decision to establish a studio in Sydney.

The games rebate will be managed by Screen NSW, which also manages the PDV rebate. Applicants will need to register the project in advance with Screen NSW.  

International companies engaging NSW-based game developers or establishing a presence in NSW are encouraged to apply.  

Visit the Screen NSW website for more information including guidelines and to apply.