Crew Development Program

Stage 1

We encourage First Nations people and people from low socio-economic backgrounds to apply.  

Applicants must be: 

• 18 years of age or older 
• A NSW resident (i.e., lived in NSW for at least 6 months immediately before the date of application) 
• An Australian citizen or permanent resident 
• Available to attend intensive training for their applied department (see dates in Department streams) 
• Part of at least one of the following under-represented areas:  
  • Regional NSW  
  • Western Sydney  
  • First Nations people  
  • People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds  
  • People living with disability  
  • LGBTQIA+ people 
  • People from low socio-economic backgrounds. 
• Not in breach of any obligation under any funding agreement they may have with the NSW Government 
• Not an employee of a Federal or state or territory government screen agency. 

Bursary for accessibility or travel costs 

Applicants may additionally apply for a bursary of up to $500 to go towards accessibility and/or travel costs for the training component if they fulfil one or more of the following: 

• Live in regional NSW or western Sydney, and are unable to cover travel costs 
• Are living with disability and require accessibility measures. 

Stage 2

In their application form, applicants will be asked if they want to also be considered for Stage 2.  

Stage 2 applicants must fulfil the Stage 1 eligibility criteria above, as well as: 

• Have a current drivers licence (provisional or full)* 
• Have an Australian tax file number (TFN) 
• Have an Australian bank account 
• Be available and commit to a trainee placement on a NSW production for up to 20 weeks 
• Commit to regular meetings with an industry mentor following placement for up to 2 years 
• Have satisfactorily completed the Stage 1 training for the department relevant to the placement. 

*Applicants to the Location, Art and Costume department stream will require a full current drivers licence.

Applicants will be ineligible to apply if they have more 5 years of paid experience in the department for which they are applying. 

Applicants may apply for multiple departments but can be only awarded for one department.  

Successful applicants may not apply for future streams of the program, however unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply.

On-set on boarding Course 

3 day course to take place at AFTRS (Moore Park) between 4 - 6 March 2026.

Production Accounts department Course 

5-day Production Accounts department course to take place at AFTRS (Moore Park) between 9 - 13 March 2026. 

Course Description: Gain the essential skills and knowledge to launch your career in Production Accountancy, guided by experienced industry professionals. This course offers practical training in accounting technologies and workflows, alongside a comprehensive understanding of production stages and their financial reporting obligations. You'll work hands-on with industry-standard software and gain valuable insights into the Production Accounts roles through real-world applications and expert perspectives.  

Learning Outcomes: 

• Identify the production accountant and accounts department's role and responsibilities at each stage of production. 
• Analyse relevant production documentation essential to accounting procedures, reporting and audit. 
• Apply production accounting skills using screen industry standard software. 

On-set on boarding Course 

3-day course to take place at AFTRS (Moore Park) between 4 - 6 March 2026. 

Location department Course 

5-day Location department course to take place at AFTRS (Moore Park) between 9 - 13 March 2026. 

Course Description: The Location Department Intensive is a comprehensive five-day course exploring the dynamic world of film and TV location management. This course has been developed with the input of industry experts and is taught by experienced members of the Australian Location Managers Guild, ensuring participants receive the highest standard of professional training.  

This intensive program covers all aspects of the location department, from scouting and securing locations to ensuring on-set safety and managing logistics. This course will provide essential, hands-on experience and knowledge.  

This course also provides participants with a six-month student membership to the Australian Location Managers Guild where you will receive their newsletter and be able to access resources and network. The course covers: 

• Location Department Fundamentals: Understand the full process, from reading a script to wrapping a location, including the responsibilities of scouts, coordinators, and on-set managers.  
• Collaboration and Creative Problem-Solving: Work closely with Producers, Directors, and Designers to interpret creative briefs, balance budgets, and meet the practical needs of the production.  
• Scouting and Advanced Tools: Learn to scout effectively and understand how to assess risks while scouting, as well as understand how advanced tools such as drones and 360-degree cameras are used in industry.  
• Legal Frameworks and Logistics: Gain in-depth knowledge of permits, contracts, insurance, and logistical planning.  
• Risk and Safety Management: Explore strategies for conducting thorough risk assessments, ensuring safety on set, and managing real-world location risks.  
• Well-being and Work-Life Balance: Delve into the realities of working in the Location Department, including long hours and stress, while learning strategies to maintain mental health and well-being. 

On-set on boarding Course 

3-day course to take place at AFTRS (Moore Park) between 17 - 19 June 2026. 

Production Management department Course 

5-day Production Management department course to take place at TAFE NSW (St Leonards) between 22 - 26 June 2026. 

Course Description: To be published at a later date.

On-set on boarding Course 

3-day course to take place at AFTRS (Moore Park) between 24 - 26 June 2026. 

Post-Production Supervision department Course 

5-day Post-Production Supervision department course to take place at TAFE NSW (St Leonards) between 29 June - 3 July 2026. 

Course Description: To be published at a later date.

On-set on boarding Course 

3-day course to take place at AFTRS (Moore Park) between 1 - 3 July 2026. 

Art Department Course 

5-day Art department course to take place at NIDA (Kensington) between 6 - 10 July 2026.  

Course Description: This industry-focused course provides participants with a comprehensive introduction to the core responsibilities and workflows of a screen art department. Through structured practical activities, students will develop key skills in research, documentation, and communication, supporting the design process from concept development to on-set execution. 

The course will also provide an overview of the key roles within the art department - including Production Designer, Art Director, Assistant Art Director, Set Decorator and Standby Props - and how these roles work together to realise the visual world of a production. Participants will gain insight into the career pathways available in the industry, understanding how to progress within the department and the skillsets required at each level. 

Participants will learn how to assist Art Directors and Production Designers by managing survey notes, dressing plans, construction drawings, and department consumables, while gaining hands-on experience in set surveys and model-making. Engagement with industry guests will offer valuable insight into current practices, expectations, and collaborative processes within professional screen environments. 

Designed to build practical capability and industry readiness, this course equips emerging practitioners with the tools and knowledge to confidently support an art department team in the role of trainee. 

Acquire the practical skills, industry knowledge, and professional insight required to step confidently into an entry-level role such as Art Department Trainee or Assistant. 

On-set on boarding Course 

3-day course to take place at AFTRS (Moore Park) between 1 - 3 July 2026. 

Costume Department Course 

5-day Costume department course to take place at NIDA (Kensington) between 6 - 10 July 2026.  

Course Description: This industry-focused course offers a comprehensive introduction to the responsibilities of a Costume Trainee within the screen industry. Through a series of structured practical activities and simulated on-set exercises, participants will develop the skills required to maintain costume continuity, support fittings and alterations, and prepare costumes for shoot days using appropriate tools and techniques. 

The course will also explore the structure of the costume department, providing an overview of key roles and responsibilities - from Costume Designer to Assistant Costume Designer to Costume Supervisor and Standby. Participants will gain an understanding of the collaborative nature of the department, how each role contributes to the storytelling process, and the career pathways available within the screen industry. 

Participants will engage in tasks reflective of real industry practice, including managing the extras area, performing costume maintenance, and handling purchases using petty cash procedures. Sessions with industry guests will provide critical insight into professional workflows, communication protocols, and on-set expectations, ensuring participants are equipped to effectively support senior costume staff. Designed to build practical competence and industry readiness, this course prepares emerging practitioners to work confidently as part of a professional costume department. 

Acquire the practical skills, industry knowledge, and professional insight required to step confidently into an entry-level role such as Costume Trainee or Assistant. 

Applications will be competitively assessed against the following weighted criteria:  

• Potential for a long-lasting career as a crew member in the applied for department (60% weighting). This includes enthusiasm for the screen industry, ability to effectively work in a team, and reliability.

• Suitability to the applied department including demonstrable transferable skills and/or experience (40% weighting). 

Accessibility and Travel Bursary 

Applicants requesting a bursary of up to $500 to contribute to costs related to attending the training component will be assessed on their demonstrated need for the bursary funds. 

In instances where there are not sufficient funds to support all qualifiable bursary requests, the applicants will be ranked in order based on the Stage 1 criteria above.  

Applications will be competitively assessed against the following weighted criteria: 

• Demonstrable aptitude in the Stage 1 training component (60% weighting)  
• Ability to fulfil the required skill needs and technical competencies for the department-specific paid placement on a NSW production (40% weighting). 

With regard to the assessment criteria, applicants must prepare responses to all questions and submit all core materials listed on the application form, including: 

• An up-to-date CV, outlining any related experience or transferable skills, including 2-3 referees (maximum two A4 pages) 
• A personal statement outlining how you best address the assessment criteria (maximum one A4 page or 2-minute self-tape video). 

Please note that if you submit over the maximum allowed page or time requirements, those additional pages or minutes will not be assessed. 

Applicants requesting the bursary to go towards accessibility or travel costs will be prompted to answer a question within the application form on how the applicant fulfils the bursary eligibility and assessment criteria.

When an application has been submitted, applicants will receive an email from our secure online grants system, SmartyGrants, confirming receipt of your application.  

Please note that applicants cannot edit or modify an application once it has been submitted.

Applications will be initially assessed by Screen NSW staff to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria, and that all application materials are acceptable. Applications deemed ineligible will not proceed to the formal assessment process. 

Screen NSW will inform all ineligible applicants via email within 14 days of this outcome.

Stage 1  

Eligible applications will proceed to formal assessment by an assessment team, comprising two Screen NSW staff and one external industry subject matter expert. 

The assessment team will individually assess each application before meeting to deliberate and agree on final consensus scores for each applicant and each criterion. This will determine a ranking for each application.  

The highest ranked applications will be recommended to the designated decision-maker in writing for approval. 

Stage 2 

Stage 1 training participants will be given a Certificate of Attendance if they satisfactorily attend the whole course. Training staff will prepare a report for Screen NSW on the suitability of the course participants to move into the ‘Placement’ stage of the Program.  

An assessment team, comprising of a Screen NSW staff and one external industry subject matter expert, will individually assess each training participant who has completed the course and opted into stage 2, before meeting to deliberate and agree on final consensus scores for each participant and each criterion. This will determine a ranking for each participant.  

The highest ranked participants will be interviewed before being recommended in writing to the designated decision-maker to receive the trainee paid placement for up to 20 weeks on a NSW production and industry mentorship. 

In the instance that there are not sufficient participants awardable in one department stream for the (2) allocated production placements, Screen NSW has the discretion to reallocate placement(s) to another department stream.

The designated decision-maker, the Head of Screen NSW (or their financial delegate), will review, consider and approve the final successful applicant based on the recommendations from the assessment team at each stage. 

All applicants will be informed of their application outcome via email.

The assessment process for Stage 1 will take up to five weeks from the application closing date. 

Screen NSW aims to advise all Steam A applicants of their Stage 1 application outcome by Tuesday 17 February 2026. 

The assessment process for Stage 2 will take up to six weeks from the conclusion of the Stage 1 training.

The successful applicant must enter into, and abide by, the terms set out by Screen NSW, which will include all deliverables and acquittal requirements, in addition to the process for dealing with any variations to the training placement (if relevant).