The Australian screen industry has long grappled with a lack of diversity, both in front of and behind the camera. Despite efforts to promote inclusion, progress has been slow, with diversity often taking a backseat to mainstream commercial interests. A recent report from Monash University offers a fresh take on the issue and proposes new mechanisms to drive change.
The report, Incentivising Australian Screen Diversity: Proposal for a Diversity Tax Offset, Grant, or Minimum Industry Standards, brings together expertise from Monash’s Arts, Law, and Business and Economics Faculties. It aims to assess existing incentive schemes, both locally and internationally, while also outlining what more needs to be done to create meaningful change in the industry.
Professor Olivia Khoo, one of the report’s authors, highlighted the historical trend in Australian networks to cater primarily to a large, mainstream audience, with diversity often seen as less of a priority. “Our community is diverse, and it’s vital that our screen stories reflect this. Authentic representation isn’t just about identity; it builds stronger cultural narratives and ensures Australians see themselves on screen,” Khoo stated.
The report uncovers glaring gaps in gender diversity, where men still dominate key roles within the workforce, comprising 80 per cent of the overall industry. Men also progress more frequently into technical and leadership positions, exacerbating the already significant gender pay gap in the sector.
Current State and Federal policies, designed to encourage greater diversity, have often been criticised as short-term or inconsistent, with no legislative backbone to enforce lasting change. “If diversity requirements aren’t enshrined in legislation, they become fleeting and subject to shifting policy priorities,” Professor Khoo added. The lack of a sustainable framework is a core reason why these initiatives fail to address deep-rooted inequalities over time.
Comparisons were also drawn with international models. The report assessed diversity initiatives in the UK, Europe, and the United States, concluding that Australia lags behind many of its global counterparts in implementing long-term, effective solutions.
To shift the dial, the report suggests several approaches, including making diversity criteria a minimum standard across productions, offering grants for those meeting diversity benchmarks, incorporating diversity into the existing producer tax offset, and introducing a new media diversity tax offset.
While these proposed mechanisms offer different pathways for change, the authors stress that without firm legislation, systemic issues in the industry will continue to persist.
“Diversity on our screens isn’t just a cultural goal,” said Khoo, “It’s economically smart. New, diverse audiences bring international attention and can fuel collaboration across borders.”
Australia’s screen stories may still be in need of a plot twist. But with comprehensive legislation and incentives, the industry could soon start telling a more inclusive narrative—one that reflects the true diversity of the nation.
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