Australian Production Design Guild

The 2026 Census will be undertaken on August 11. This is when every Australian is counted. Up to now designers have not been counted properly – so to a significant degree we are ‘invisible’ in current Australian Bureau of Statistics data. Over the last two years the APDG has worked closely with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to reform our codes and to identify the correct code for every designer, so you and the work you do is properly identified.

MAKING DESIGNERS VISIBLE IN THE CENSUS - Australian Production Design Guild The 2026 Census will be undertaken on August 11. This is when every Australian is counted. Up to now designers have not been counted properly - so to a significant degree we are ‘invisible’ in current Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

The APDG, alongside our friends and colleagues at the Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC), Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS), Australian Screen Editors (ASE), Australian Screen Sound Guild (ASSG), Australian Writers Guild (AWG), Australian Directors Guild (ADG), and Screen Producers Australia (SPA), has made a joint submission to the Australian Government's National Cultural Policy consultation.

The submission speaks to the future of Australian screen culture advocating for an industry in which Australian stories are visible and distinctive, creative workers can build sustainable careers, and rights and credits are protected. It also addresses the urgent questions posed by generative AI, calling for human creativity to remain central to all screen work, and for creators to be part of every decision that affects their craft and livelihoods.

We are proud to have contributed to this collective voice.

- Natalie Beak, APDG ASIG Representative

ScenoLab Australia warmly invites all Melbourne-based APDG members to an informal get together on Tuesday 7th July at the Clyde Hotel in Carlton from 7.30pm onwards. Info attached. Please feel free to share with others in your live performance network interested in theatre design and teaching.

Scenolab is part of the Scenography Working Group during IFTR (https://conference.iftr.org/2026 #/?lang=en), an international theatre researcher and practitioner conference happening for the first time in Australia. July 4th - 10th at University of Melbourne. Many APDG members are already in attendance and presenting papers or supporting colleagues. This is a great opportunity to meet other members, learn about Scenolab and connect with international peers.

Check out the IFTR program here: Conference Program: https://conference.iftr.org/2026 #/programme?lang=en

We are delighted to introduce Virginia Mesiti as a new APDGreen collaborator, to further the conversations and access to resources around environmental sustainability practices developing on screens and stages across Australia and globally. Follow the link below to read her insights into recent sustainability focused events and initiatives:

APDGreen Conversations - Winter 2026 - Australian Production Design Guild In this Spring newsletter, APDGreen Representative Imogen Ross welcomes back Jen McAuliffe from Sustainable Screens Australia, and shares opportunities for members to extend their knowledge of current best practice in the screen industry.

We have received a strong and heartfelt response to the petition calling for support to help secure the future of Hero Frock Hire. Thank you to everyone who took the time to sign, share their thoughts and add their voice to this important issue. View link to read more:

EDUCATION AND TRAINING UPDATE - WINTER 2026 - Australian Production Design Guild We have received a strong and heartfelt response to the petition calling for support to help secure the future of Hero Frock Hire. Thank you to everyone who took the time to sign, share their thoughts and add their voice to this important issue.

LIVE PERFORMANCE UPDATE - WINTER 2026 - Australian Production Design Guild The Guild is working on preparing Rates Cards for both screen and live performance designers. These are intended as a kind of ‘back pocket’ ready reckoner for designers. In Live Performance we are planning to base these Rates Cards on the recently updated rates tables that you can find in the Li...

SCREEN UPDATE - WINTER 2026 - Australian Production Design Guild The Screen Committee has been highly active over the past few months, focusing on direct industry equity, targeted on-set advocacy, and expanding resources for our screen members. A central priority has been our ongoing consultation with key screen agencies.

https://apdg.org.au/2026/06/presidents-letter-winter-2026

PRESIDENT'S LETTER - WINTER 2026 - Australian Production Design Guild Dear Members and Friends, As the winter chill settles in, things are heating up at the APDG, and I am thrilled to share some of the vital work happening behind the scenes to support our vibrant community of designers.