1. Importing and Sponsoring Film and/or Television Actors

"Film and/or Television” includes local and foreign feature films, telemovies, mini-series, bona fide unofficial co-production series and serials, as well as documentaries, reality television programs and commercials that will be screened in Australia featuring actors/performers in a ‘paid professional performance’. Official co-productions and overseas documentaries and commercials (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, are excluded.

 “Actors" include actors, stunt performers, puppeteers, singers, dancers and any performer appearing on screen.

Process

All Applications need to be made with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA). Consultation will also need to take place with the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (the Alliance)

1. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)

• The relevant visa is an Entertainer (sub-class 420) Visa.
• Application needs to be made as Sponsor and a 1379 form lodged with DIAC with a copy of the completed form provided to the Alliance (see below): 
• Application needs to be made in respect of the visa for the overseas actor and a 147 form lodged with DIAC: 
• All DIAC enquiries should be directed to:
  DIAC’s Sydney Entertainment Processing Centre:
  Tel:  +61 2 8861 4302
  Fax: +61 2 8861 4301

2. The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA)

• Application needs to be made for a Certificate from the Minister for Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts: see DEWHA Foreign Actors for film and television home page 
  
• The Minister must raise a Certificate in order for a visa to be issued. Applications for actors to perform in a film or television production being produced in part or in whole in Australia are considered within the parameters of the DEWHA Guidelines on the Entry into Australia of Foreign Actors for the Purpose of Employment in Film and Television Productions 

• Application forms are available on the DEWHA website

• All DEWHA enquiries should be directed to the desk officer:

3. The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (the Alliance)

• The DEWHA Guidelines delineate five types of production with separate criteria to be addressed. These are:

    a. Government Subsidised Productions
    b. Non-Government Subsidised Productions (Excluding Series And Serials)
    c. Non-Government Subsidised Productions (Bona Fide Unofficial Co-Production Series And    
        Serials)
    d. Exceptional Cases (including documentary and reality television productions to be screened in
        Australia)
    e. Children's Programs    

• It is necessary to provide the following information:

    a. A copy of the script.
    b. A letter outlining the reason for importing an overseas actor/s noting under which section(s) of the DEWHA Guidelines the application is being made and including the information relevant to substantiate an application under the particular clause.
    c. If the application is being made on the basis of inability to cast the role with an Australian performer, documentary evidence of compliance with the Casting Guidelines in the DEWHA Guidelines including:
            i.   the Casting Director’s name;
            ii.  the character breakdown sent to agents;
            iii. List of agents contacted;
            iv.  List of agents suggestions;
            v.   List of those auditioned
            vi. Reasons why each audition participant not cast
    d. A copy of the completed 1379 form that will be lodged with DIAC;
    e. A copy of the overseas actor/s resume;
    f. A copy of the deal memo/contract with the overseas actor/s.Provision of deal memos/contracts is treated strictly confidentially. Most importantly, it is necessary thatthe deal memo/contract set out that:
            i. the actor is to receive remuneration and be afforded terms and conditions, including accommodation, travel and transport within Australia and per diems, no less favourable than those contained in the relevant Australian award/agreement. For information regarding the relevant agreement please contact aid@alliance.org.au or +61 1300 656 512;
            ii. the sponsor will provide the actor with return international airfare/s and take out medical insurance on the actor's behalf.

• If the application is being made on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it will be necessary for the application to be considered by the National Performers’ Committee. Meetings occur monthly but can be convened on an as needs basis within a week of the necessary documentation being provided.

• It is advisable to commence discussions with the Alliance as early as possible. If the application complies with the DEWHA Guidelines and the Migration Regulations, the procedure is simple and quick. If the application is to be made on the grounds of exceptional circumstances, it can take longer. If the application does not comply with DEWHA Guidelines and the Migration Regulations, the Alliance will advise accordingly. The Alliance always welcomes early consultation and is happy to provide written in principle support if it appears the application will comply with the DEWHA Guidelines.

• All Alliance Imports 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

• The Alliance will advise in writing whether, in its view, the application complies with DEWHA Guidelines and the Migration Regulations and copy that advice to both DEWHA and DIAC.

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  
• the production has been certified by the Australian Film Commission as an eligible Official Co-Production. The relevant class of visa remains the Entertainer Sub-Class 420 visa. For further information, contact the Australian Film Commission (02) 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.

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):