For producers down under, it’s become a crucial need to see local content quotas implemented on streamers—a regulation that has faced continued delays.

This was a key takeaway of Screen Producers Australia’s latest survey, the results of which paint a dire picture of the commissioning landscape and its ripple effects.

Nearly 80% of SPA’s members answered “yes” when asked if their business was directly affected by the lack of streaming regulation. Under a National Cultural Policy, local content requirements on US-based streaming services like Netflix were expected to go into effect last year—but these plans were quietly shelved by the government in November.

The survey estimates that more than 170 commissions were either stalled, dropped or collapsed amid the delays. And findings also suggest that more than 15,000 screen jobs have been eliminated across 61 screen businesses, along with more than AUD$1 billion (US$604 million) in lost budgets. 81% of SPA members also said they feel less optimistic about the future of the Australian screen industry now, compared to a year ago.

“The impasse over this regulation is given as the reason for a slowdown in project greenlighting, with each stalled, missed or collapsed commission leading to millions in lost investments, job losses, business uncertainty and less local content production that will continue to affect audiences for years,” says SPA CEO Matthew Deaner (pictured). “While audiences are quickly moving to streaming, our local content rules have not moved with them and are stuck in limbo.”

In a press conference last week, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also underlined support for Aussie content in his response to US President Donald Trump announcing 10% general tariffs on all Australian goods. “We strongly support local content in streaming services so Australian stories stay on Australian screens,” he stated. 

With reduced content obligations, it’s been a tough road for local kids programming in recent years. Free-to-air channels in Australia aired 84% less local kids programming in 2022 than they did in 2019, according to an ACMA study from 2023.