Film, Television and Digital Games Survey

Survey Participant Information

Responding to the Film, Television and Digital Games Survey

Thank you for your participation

We acknowledge and value your time and effort participating in this survey. It is only with the support of people like you that we can continue to produce the statistics that inform important decisions affecting various industries.

Click the button below to complete the survey online:

Need help completing the Film, Television and Digital Games Survey?

For information about how to complete this survey in accordance with AASB 16 accounting standards, refer to AASB 16 help page. 

You can also use our online Business Survey Contact Form to outline the details of your situation and we will be in touch, alternatively, you can contact us on 1800 685 490 during business hours for further help.

ABS analysts may contact the business in the future to ask questions about the data you provide to us. To avoid us having to call you back with follow-up queries, please see the frequently asked questions below. 

Frequently asked questions

How do I create a Survey Account?

For assistance completing this survey online, refer to Survey Account Help.

Why has this business been included in the Film, Television and Digital Game Survey?

The Film, Television and Digital Games Survey includes a range of businesses, varying in size and location, across the film, television and digital games industries to best reflect the performance of these industries in Australia.

What questions are asked in the Film, Television and Digital Games Survey?

All Film, Television and Digital Games Survey forms include questions on employment, income and expenditure, profit or loss and inventories. Additionally, each form has a dedicated section that is unique to their industry, with the exception of the Distribution of Film and Television, where industry specific questions have been included in the aforementioned categories.

Do we have to answer the questions?

Yes. Under the Census and Statistics Act 1905, you are obliged to provide the information requested by the ABS.  We understand this is a difficult time and we are here to help. We conduct follow-up of delayed responses and we will assist you if you are having difficulties.

Why can't we see the figures we provided last time in the current survey form?

Due to strict privacy policy guidelines protecting the information submitted by our data providers, we create new survey forms that do not contain previously submitted data. 

Why does the form have questions that don't apply to me?

The form you receive for the Film, Television and Digital Games Survey is based on the main industry of the business, according to the ABS Business Register, information provided by Screen Australia alongside additional research. The majority of the questions asked on the Film, Television and Digital Games Survey are the same for all industries (with minor exceptions). If the survey form has some questions which don't apply to the business' industry, you should still complete the survey noting the correct business activity in the survey form.

Do we still need to complete the survey if the business sold before the beginning of, or during the reference period?

Please complete the survey form with comments indicating the sale of the entity and the date of the sale. If the business operated by the selected entity (e.g. ABN) was sold during the reference period, then the survey should be completed using figures up to, and including, the day that the business was sold, as well as figures relating to any other new activity undertaken by the selected entity for the remainder of the financial year. Please also provide the name of the new owners. 

Do we still need to complete the survey if the business is still operating but didn't trade during the reference period?

You will still need to submit the survey with comments stating that the business did not trade this year. You do not need to include any figures or zero values. 

Do we still need to complete the survey if the business has gone into liquidation or administration during the reference period?

Please complete the survey using figures up to, and including, the day that the business was liquidated or went into administration. It is also important to report the date that this occurred. If you are unable to access the accounts, then the liquidator or administrator should complete the survey. Where this is not possible, best available estimates of the data should be provided. It is acceptable to provide an estimate based on a percentage change from the previous year’s figures. Where estimates are not possible, or the business did not trade during the reference period, please call us on 1800 685 490 and one of our team will be happy to assist you. 

What can I do to reduce the need for ABS to contact me with further enquiries?

The checklist below has been included to assist with checking the information which you have supplied in the survey before submitting it to ABS. Use of the checklist may reduce the need for us to contact you with further enquiries. The points covered reflect some of the most common reporting errors.

Survey checklist

Employment

  • Are the reported numbers a headcount of persons working for the business? (Should not be FTE.) 
  • Have you reported only those who worked for the business in the last pay period ending in June 2022? 
  • Working proprietors and partners should only be reported for an unincorporated business, not if the business is incorporated (e.g. Pty Ltd). 

Financial information

  • Are all reported financial items reported in $'000s (thousands)? For example, if business income for the year were $123,456, it should be reported as 123 on the survey. 
  • Have the nature and amount of the main components of 'Other...' items been provided in Other Income and Other expenses? 
  • Have the values of both opening and closing inventories been reported, where applicable? 

Other information

  • Have you provided comments on any unexpected activity or values in the information you have supplied. By taking the opportunity to do this you will enhance the value of the data you supply as well as minimising the chance of ABS staff being required to call you directly for clarification. 
  • Have you provided an estimate of the time taken to complete this survey? (Please note that we use the time taken information to help us to design effective surveys while minimising the burden on our providers.) 
     
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