All overseas performers and related personnel (including producers, directors, cinematographers, choreographers, technicians etc) seeking to work in Australia must travel to Australia on an Entertainer Sub-Class 420 Visa (Entertainer Visa). To secure an Entertainer Visa, the person must be sponsored by an Australian company or an Australian permanent resident or citizen. Requirements vary slightly depending on the performance type.

The Migration Regulations require the Australian sponsor to consult with the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (the Alliance) in relation to the following categories of performer or related personnel:

1. Film and/or Television Actors (including actors, stunt performers, puppeteers, dancers, singers and any other performer appearing on screen)

2. Film and/or Television Personnel (including producers, directors, heads of department and technicians)

3. Live Theatre, Dance, Ballet, Opera and Musical Production Performers (including dancers, singers, puppeteers, actors, and any other person performing in the production)

4. DJs, Concert, Cabaret or Variety Performers (including musicians, comedians, magicians etc)

5. Live Theatre Performance Personnel (including producers, directors, technicians etc)

Please click on the appropriate category/categories to be provided with the correct procedural information.

Note that consultation with the Alliance is not required if the production is:

• an overseas documentary or a commercial (for cinema or television release) fully financed from overseas sources and produced exclusively for use in territories other than Australia which will never in the future be released in any media in Australia. In this case the relevant visa class is Media and Staff Other Sub-Class 423 Visas: Go to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Media and Staff Other Sub-Class 423 Visa Information page   
• an eligible Official Co-Production certified by the Australian Film Commission. The relevant class of visa remains the Entertainer Sub-Class 420 visa. For further information, contact the Australian Film Commission +61 2 9321 6444.
• a producer and/or director and/or other staff are travelling to Australia for the purpose of investigating locations, having meetings and establishing whether it is viable to produce a film or television production. The relevant class of visa is a Short Stay Business Sub-Class 456 Visa.
• If the application is for a live performance of any kind that is eligible for consideration by the DIAC as being of a "cultural non-commercial nature", consultation with the Alliance may not be required. However, at their discretion applications may be referred to the Alliance for comment.

All Alliance enquiries and consultation should be directed to the:

DIAC’s Sydney Entertainment Processing Centre: 
Tel:  +61 2 8861 4302
Fax: +61 2 8861 4301

All Alliance enquiries and consultation should be directed to the:

Alliance Imports Office:
Tel:  +61 7 3846 0044
Fax: +61 7 3846 0153
Email: imports@alliance.org.au

All Film and/or Television Actor Applications will also have to apply to the:

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA):
Tel:  +61 2 6275 9633
Fax: +61 2 6275 9659

Consultation Fee for the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance

Applications for union endorsement of overseas performers and technicians are subject to a consulation fee and should be submitted as part of your application (see fees below, GST inclusive):

For further import information please contact imports@alliance.org.au via email, or contact the Alliance Imports Office on +61 7 3846 0044.