A NSW Government website

Creative Technologies: VR, AR, Animation, Screen and Digital Games

NSW is Australia’s leading screen production state for feature films and TV dramas, and home to a fast-growing digital games development sector. This is supported by virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies that present digital information, objects and media in the real world.

Digital Games

With almost a quarter of Australia's total game development studios based in NSW and access to the largest STEM talent pool in Australia, the NSW digital games ecosystem is growing off the back of highly skilled programmers, artists, creative hubs, diverse education offering and government support.

The NSW Government through Create NSW has supported the digital games industry with the 10% NSW Digital Games RebateExternal Link, which can be paired with the Australian Government's new 30% Digital Games Tax Offset (DGTO)External Link.

Screen and Digital Technologies

NSW's long and continued investment in the screen industry has enabled strong digital capability in PDV and computer-generated imaging (CGI). Of the $2.29 billion spent on production in Australia in 2022, NSW accounted for a 45% share, setting a record of over $1 billion in expenditure. Almost half of Australia's total post-production work is being undertaken in NSW, as seen in Sydney - home to Fox Studios, the southern hemisphere's largest end-to-end production facility.

Lucrative rebates are on offer for post-production, digital ad visual effects production (PDV). Diverse NSW locations, experienced crews, world-class facilities and enviable lifestyle are also major attractions for Australian and international producers and directors.

Key facts

Australia's game development studios generate an annual revenue of $345.5 million, up 21% from 2022

Australia's culture and creative industries contributed $122.3 billion to the economy in 2022

87% of Australia's game development income is generated from offshore markets and investment

NSW accounts for 70% of Australia's creative industry exports

42% of creative industry jobs are based in NSW

Almost 50% of Australia's post-production industry is in NSW

Supporting your move to NSW

Investment NSW can connect you with a range of services and incentives available to businesses looking to grow.

Guidance: grants, rebates, programs and incentives

Investment NSW offers bespoke services to businesses looking to build a presence within NSW.

The team at Investment NSW provides tailored advice on grants, rebates, programs and other incentives your business may be eligible for.

Location: site identification, familiarisation and development

Whether you need a high-tech lab, an advanced manufacturing facility connected to a university or a greenfield site in regional NSW, we can assist.

We can work with you to establish a presence in a precinct or collaboration area suited to your needs.

We provide services to help you find the right accommodation:

  • determining the type of accommodation to best meet your businesses requirements
  • advice and support regarding opportunities available on Government land (both long and short term)
  • support navigating the planning process
Market insights

We can provide tailored information and data, including local market insights, on our focus areas.

Connections

We can introduce you to stakeholders who can support your growth objectives. This may include connecting you to:

  • corporate partners
  • business chambers
  • industry associations
  • technology precincts
  • research institutes
  • government agencies
Familiarisation visits

We offer curated introductions to help you identify local partners, distributors, industry stakeholders and service providers.

Asia-Pacific growth advice

Once you have established here, a wide range of services and programs are available to use NSW as a springboard into Asia. We can help you identify opportunities to expand in the region.

Visa and Skilled Migration support

Our Business & Skilled Migration Program actively supports the growth of New South Wales’s key industries, including tech, health, education, and advanced manufacturing. We attract a diverse range of skills and capabilities and nominate high-potential candidates to live and work in NSW.

These efforts fuel the expansion of businesses across the state, offering valuable opportunities for organisations looking to invest in NSW.

For more information about the Business & Skilled Migration Program, please visit our websiteExternal Link.

Contact us

Contact Investment NSW today to find out more about investment opportunities in New South Wales.