Above The Line Accounting Pty Ltd

04/06/2026

EOFY has a way of finding the gaps.

What seems fine during production tends to land on your desk all at once come tax time: the paperwork you needed to chase down, the unclear spend you were going to sort out later, the few things left to reconcile.

By then it's rarely one issue. It's reconstructing the full picture.

Clean books throughout production make a real difference. For compliance, yes, but more than that: for knowing exactly what's been spent, committed, or still outstanding.

This is where a production accountant earns their keep.

Read more: https://abovethelineaccounting.au/the-benefits-of-hiring-a-production-accountant/

02/06/2026

A new partnership between the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and Netflix ANZ will provide two scholarships valued at $50,000 to First Nations creatives, offering recipients access to world-class training and industry opportunities. Applications close June 17.

Learn more: https://nit.com.au/22-05-2026/24380/netflix-and-australian-film-television-and-radio-school-announces-100000-first-nations-scholarship-program

01/06/2026

Q&A with Above the Line Accounting's Matthew Carter:

Q: What’s a simple financial habit that can save filmmakers a lot of stress come tax time?

A: Keeping your accounts up to date with all the supporting documentation. Then tax time is easy!

Supporting documentation includes things like invoices, receipts, contracts, payroll records and bank statements: basically anything that shows what was spent, earned, and why.

Tools like Xero help streamline and centralise this process by linking transactions with invoices, receipts and bank data, which is why we recommend it to our clients to help with their productions.

01/06/2026

"At a time when social cohesion is under significant pressure, our stories … are even more important than ever, particularly for younger generations," Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner said at the Screen Forever 40 conference.

Here's what else the conference covered that shows a positive future for Australia's film industry.

Read more:

Now in its 40th year, the annual Screen Forever conference attracts hundreds of industry leaders to look at the past, present and future of Australian screen content.

01/06/2026

From 1 July 2026, super no longer gets paid quarterly, but on the same day as payday, received by the fund within 7 business days. This is the new Payday Super scheme which will be in effect soon.

For productions with weekly crew payroll, that changes how you plan cash flow. It's worth getting across now. See the ATO's website with all you need to know:

What employers should do to meet their super guarantee obligations under Payday Super (starting 1 July 2026).

26/05/2026

The 2025 Screen Australia guidelines aren’t new anymore: but they are shaping projects right now.

Producers in the middle of projects are now being impacted by changes. Avoid getting caught out and find out what changed last year that is impacting your film productions moving forward.

This guide breaks down what’s changed and what it means in practice:
https://abovethelineaccounting.au/what-filmmakers-need-to-know-about-the-new-2025-screen-australia-guidelines/

21/05/2026

When the documentary film Brabham needed additional investors, Above The Line Accounting helped Aurora Films set up a public company for crowdfunding, raising an additional $150,000 for the film.

Producer Antony Waddington says it well: "Crowdsourced funding was a steep learning curve for me. Because the last thing you want is to do anything incorrectly when it comes to tax law or ASIC."

Getting the structure right from the start makes all the difference.

Read the full Brabham case study: https://abovethelineaccounting.au/case-studies/

12/05/2026

The Australian film industry moves fast. ATO updates, Screen Australia guideline changes, super rate rises - our newsletter rounds it all up so you don't have to chase it down yourself.

Explore past issues and subscribe: https://abovethelineaccounting.au/newsletters/

08/05/2026

🎬 Heading to Cannes this May?

ATLA's Matthew Carter will be at the festival from 12–23 May. If you're making the trip, Matt would love to catch up with Aussie filmmakers over a coffee!

Let us know if you'll be there!