Lights, camera, action: Perth Film Studios hits practical completion

Western Australia has moved closer to becoming a global screen production hub with the practical completion of the world-class Perth Film Studios.

Almost $300 million has been invested in the facility, including $233.5 million in construction and a further $57 million to support management and operations over the first 10 years through an agreement with Perth-based company Home Fire.

Designed for scale, flexibility and confidentiality the Perth Film Studios has 4 sound stages totalling 8,361m² (90,000ft¹), 2 annexes, workshops, the largest backlot in the southern hemisphere and the ability to enable concurrent productions.

The project is a key initiative of the Western Australian Screen Industry Strategy, with an additional $31.9 million commitment designed to diversify the economy, attract investment and create local jobs, further adding to the $6.2 billion contributed to the State economy by creative industries in 2024.

Practical completion has been delivered on time and under budget through strong collaboration across multiple government agencies, strengthening the WA Government’s vision to grow creative industries and position the State as a leading destination for screen production.

The entry statement and yarning circle were unveiled as part of the practical completion. The artworks were created by Aboriginal artists Lea Taylor and Buffie Taylor. Lea is a Wadandi, Menang, Goreng, Kaniyang and Ballardong Bibbulmun yorga and Buffie a Noongar Menang, Goreng yorga.

Lea worked with Buffie on the yarning circle which is based on a Mia Mia shelter and incorporates water and fire motifs. It is designed to age and work into the landscape.

Lea designed the entry sculpture. The sculpture depicts a flame and incorporates patterning from a banksia leaf which is native to the area. Lea often incorporates the motif of 3 in her work to represent man, woman and child.

The artists hope that the artworks drive conversations with interstate and international guests and they seek out more information about Aboriginal culture and art.

You can learn more about the artists and the story behind the artwork in the following video.

The Perth Film Studios was developed in accordance with the Government’s Market-led Proposals policy that aims to form partnerships combining the expertise and creativity of the private and public sectors. The studios are owned by the Arts and Culture Trust, on behalf of the WA Government, and operated by Home Fire. This collaboration ensures the studios will be run with creative vision and operational excellence.

The Perth Film Studio project is a key part of WA’s economic diversification strategy, designed to help grow jobs and attract investment.

Recent years have been busy for screen production in WA, with production doubling over the last 5 years.

Major productions are being drawn by our State’s natural assets, talented crews and communities enthusiastic to support and contribute to screen projects plus our competitive incentives.

WA’s Creative Industries generated 9.3% of the value of all creative and cultural activity across Australia in 2024 (up from 8.5% in 2018), with a 15% increase in film, television, post, digital and visual effects projects in WA over 12 months between 2022-23 to 2023-24.

Annual employment growth in the sector is 3.2%, well above the national average of 2.4%. Employment in WA’s Games Development Industry is one of the fasted growing areas, with a growth of 101% from 2022-23 to 2023-24.

The practical completion of Perth Film Studios is the first step in working towards the goal of establishing WA as a major creative centre for international and national film, television, and digital media production. With a world-class facility in Perth creative professionals will have access to career pathways locally, helping to keep these skills in WA. There will be opportunities for work and training for actors, camera operators, costume and set designers, sound and lighting technicians, video editors, makeup artists plus many other roles.

With the establishment of the Perth Film Studios Western Australia is expected to attract up to 10% of Australia’s annual screen productions over the next 10 years, compared to the current 1%.

While the buildings at Perth Film Studios are now finished, operational testing and commissioning is underway to fine-tune every detail and ensure the facility is fully customer-ready for the first productions in the first half of 2026.

Learn more about the Perth Film Studios via their website. You can learn more about the State’s first whole-of-government strategy to support the screen industry via the Western Australian Screen Strategy 2024-2034.