Page title

Intro

Respondent profile

132 film, TV and games organisations shared their experiences on how COVID-19 has impacted their work.

Respondent type

  • 47% Sole traders
  • 25% Freelancers
  • 22% Companies
  • 6% Other.

Industry sub-category (top responses)

  • 52% Film and TV production
  • 33% Games development and design
  • 11% Film and video post-production services.

The following findings are based on respondents' reported impacts from 1 April to 30 June 2020.

Number of jobs

Jobs in film, TV and games operations fell 24%. This was based on expected versus actual number of employees reported by partnerships, companies and not-for-profits operating in the film, TV and games sector. There were significant decreases in casual jobs (down 55%), freelance and contract jobs (down 30%) and permanent part time jobs (down 30%).

Actual versus expected revenue

  • 20% - Percentage of expected revenue earned before COVID-19 support
  • 26% - Percentage of expected revenue earned after COVID-19 support

COVID-19 support

  • 33% - received COVID-19 support
  • $4,453 - average value of support.

JobKeeper

Percentage of business entities that received JobKeeper assistance for employees

  • N/A - Freelancer
  • 21% - Sole trader
  • 0%* - Partnership
  • 33% - Company
  • 0%* - Not-for-profit

Alternative revenue sources

Percentage of business entities that needed to draw on alternative revenue sources to cover lost revenue

 Freelancer
88%
Sole trader
73%
Partnership
100%*
Company
73%
Not-for-profit
25%*
Business reserves--0%65%25%
Personal savings79%61%100%35%0%
Superannuation17%10%50%15%0%
Credit cards8%14%0%31%0%
Family and friends29%16%0%23%0%
Bank loan0%0%0%8%0%
Other8%6%0%8%0%
None13%27%0%27%75%

* Small sample size (<5 respondents)

Methodology

This fact sheet was compiled from a survey conducted in 2020 by CATALYSE® Pty Ltd on behalf of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. View the full survey report.

Page reviewed 11 September 2023