What is the Games and Interactive Media (GIM) Budget?
The Games and Interactive Media (GIM) Budget is a core funding stream administered by Screen Australia. Its purpose is to nurture the development, production and commercialisation of Australian games, virtualreality experiences and other interactive media projects that demonstrate creative, cultural and economic value.
Through the GIM Budget, Screen Australia provides financial assistance across the full lifecycle of a project from concept and prototyping, through production and testing, to marketing and distribution. The aim is to boost the global competitiveness of Australian creators while ensuring that distinctly Australian stories, art styles and technological innovations reach international audiences.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility is deliberately broad to capture the diversity of the interactive sector. The main categories are:
- Developers: Australianowned companies or individuals with a track record of creating games or interactive media.
- Publishers: Organisations that plan to distribute or commercialise a completed product.
- Research Institutions: Universities and R&D labs undertaking experimental interactive projects, provided there is a clear path to commercial exploitation.
- Coproduction Partnerships: International collaborations where an Australian partner holds at least 20% of the creative and financial contribution.
Projects must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Showcase Australian cultural content, themes or talent.
- Demonstrate innovative use of technology (e.g., AI, AR/VR, procedural generation).
- Present a viable commercial strategy for local or overseas markets.
Applicants should be registered Australian entities (ABN) and have the capacity to manage the funded amount, including robust accounting and reporting systems.
How the Budget Is Structured
The GIM Budget is split into three primary funding streams, each targeting a different stage of a project's life cycle:
1. Development Funding
Supports earlystage activities such as concept development, prototyping, design documentation and technical feasibility studies.
| Maximum Grant | Typical Funding Level | Key Eligible Costs |
|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | Up to 50% of total eligible costs | Concept art, design sprints, software licences, smallteam salaries, user testing. |
2. Production Funding
Provides the bulk of financing for fullscale development, including programming, art production, audio, QA and localisation.
| Maximum Grant | Typical Funding Level | Key Eligible Costs |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000,000 | Up to 45% of total eligible costs | Team salaries, middleware licences, motioncapture services, testing, cloud hosting. |
3. Commercialisation Funding
Assists with marketing, distribution, localisation for overseas markets and postlaunch support.
| Maximum Grant | Typical Funding Level | Key Eligible Costs |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | Up to 40% of total eligible costs | Marketing campaigns, tradeshow attendance, localisation, platform fees, analytics tools. |
Note: Funding levels are indicative and may vary depending on the project's scope, risk profile and strategic fit with Screen Australias priorities.
Additional Support Options
- CoFunding: Projects can combine GIM funding with statelevel incentives, private investment or other federal programs.
- Mentorship & Training: Access to industry mentors, workshops and networking events through Screen Australias partner network.
Applying for the GIM Budget
The application process consists of four stages:
- Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit a concise overview (max 2pages) describing the concept, team, market potential and budget summary.
- Assessment: A panel of industry experts evaluates the EOI against criteria such as innovation, cultural relevance and commercial viability.
- Full Application: Successful EOIs are invited to provide a detailed business plan, technical design document, full budget and risk mitigation strategy.
- Approval & Delivery: Upon approval, a funding agreement is signed. Regular progress reports and a final delivery report are required.
Key dates for the 2026 funding round:
- EOI opens: 1July2026
- EOI closes: 31July2026
- Full application deadline: 30September2026
- Funding decisions notified: 15December2026
All submissions are made through the Screen Australia portal. Detailed guidelines, templates and a FAQ sheet are downloadable from the same site.
Further Information & Helpful Links
- Official GIM Budget Page program summary, eligibility and contact details.
- GIM Funding Guidelines (PDF) indepth policy and budgeting rules.
- Frequently Asked Questions answers to common queries about applications.
- Mentorship Program connect with seasoned developers and publishers.
- Industry Events Calendar upcoming trade shows, pitch sessions and workshops.
