If you've been scrolling through your phone lately and spotted Sydney Sweeney climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge or Jake Gyllenhaal on set in Queensland, you're not imagining things!
Australia has recently become one of Hollywood's favourite filming destinations, and right now, there are more stars Down Under than ever.
Let’s take a look at what’s filming in Australia at the moment, and how you can break into the industry.
What’s filming in Australia right now?
A few major productions are currently filming in Australia, featuring some big names.
Netflix's live-action Gundam film has officially begun production at Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast, the same studio where films like Scooby-Doo and Kong: Skull Island were made. Based on a Japanese science fiction anime, the movie stars Sydney Sweeney and Noah Centineo as rival pilots caught up in a war between Earth and space. It's a massive production, with the Queensland Government estimating it will create over 350 local jobs.
Honeymoon With Harry, a comedy-drama starring Kevin Costner and Jake Gyllenhaal, is shooting in Brisbane and on the Whitsunday Islands, and filming for the action movie Kockroach, starring Chris Hemsworth, is taking over Sydney.
Why does Hollywood love Australia?
It's not just the scenery (though that definitely helps)! Australia has worked hard to make itself an attractive place for major studios to film blockbuster movies. The Australian government offers various incentives and tax rebates that make filming here significantly cheaper than in the US or UK.
On top of the financial perks, studios get access to world-class facilities like Village Roadshow Studios, plenty of highly skilled local crew, and an incredible variety of landscapes - you can shoot a tropical beach scene and a dark city scene without ever leaving Queensland!
How to break into the film industry in Australia
So you’re keen to work in film. Amazing! It’s definitely possible to break into the industry in Australia, but you’ll have to be proactive. It’s a competitive industry, and it can often be about who you know, so start building your network early!
One entry point is working as a background extra. Large productions do hire extras regularly, but spots fill up fast. To get work as an extra in Australia, it’s best to register with a casting agency. Some of the bigger agencies include Movie Extras Club (Australia-wide) and QLD Extras for Queensland-based work. Extras are usually booked based on headshots and physical details rather than auditions, so a few clear phone photos are enough to get started.
If you’d rather work behind the scenes, working as a production assistant (PA) is one of the best ways to get real industry experience. PA roles are entry-level and involve everything from bringing equipment to set, helping manage extras and handling paperwork - not the most glamorous job, but one of the most important. Look for PA opportunities through Screen Australia's industry listings, state film body websites (like Screen Queensland or Screen NSW), and LinkedIn. These roles are highly sought after and often go to people already in the industry, so don’t get too discouraged if you don’t find yourself working on set straight away.
How to study film in Australia
If you’re set on a career in film, why not take a look at what courses are on offer at your university, or nearby film schools? The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) offers short courses and workshops open to anyone. Getting involved in student productions is another way to build experience and contacts, why not team up with some friends and make your own movie?
Hollywood’s presence in Australia shows no signs of slowing down, now’s the time to get involved! Whether you spot a celebrity at Bondi, stumble across a film set in Brisbane or even land a day on set as a background extra, you're in Australia at exactly the right time.
