Screen Forever 2026: Australian Stories, Australian Voices and a “to Do List” That Never Gets Any Shorter.

Why It Matters

The quota legislation gives Australian screen makers a predictable market, while the Industry Codes address long‑standing workplace safety gaps, both of which are critical for sustaining local storytelling and talent development.

Key Takeaways

• Local streaming quotas now law, giving producers market certainty
• Screen Forever 40 hosted over 1,000 industry leaders on the Gold Coast
• SPA urges updated producer offsets and stronger IP‑fairness rules
• Industry Codes rollout adds safety training for 4,000+ workers

Pulse Analysis

Australia’s new streaming‑quota law marks a watershed for the domestic screen sector. After ten years of advocacy, the Make it Australian campaign secured mandatory local‑content thresholds for the eight major platforms that collectively hold more than a million Australian subscribers. This legislative win reduces the market volatility that has long plagued independent producers, allowing financiers to model cash flows with greater confidence and encouraging investors to back homegrown projects.

Nevertheless, the conference highlighted that quotas alone won’t solve deeper structural challenges. SPA’s CEO called for a refresh of the Producer Offset, which was introduced two decades ago to let producers retain equity and weather global competition. He also warned that Australia lacks an IP‑preservation framework, leaving creators vulnerable in negotiations with multinational distributors. Coupled with a modest slate of co‑production treaties, these gaps limit the industry’s ability to tap global capital and audiences. Addressing these policy blind spots will be essential for scaling Australian content beyond its borders.

In response to growing concerns about workplace culture, SPA unveiled its Industry Codes initiative, bundling an updated Code of Practice, National Guidelines for Screen Safety and a new Contact Officer training program. More than 4,000 industry members have already completed Respectful Workplaces training, signaling a shift toward safer, more inclusive sets. Funded by Screen Australia, the programme positions the sector to meet both compliance standards and the broader expectation for ethical production environments, reinforcing Australia’s reputation as a world‑class content hub.