ABC and Screen Australia Sign First Nations Partnership
The two broadcasters have agreed to build career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander screen practitioners through to June 2028.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Native American
ABC and Screen Australia have signed a strategic partnership agreement to support the First Nations screen industry, running from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2028. The agreement sets out a framework to create and strengthen career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Why it matters
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting the next generation of First Nations screen practitioners and leaders. It comes as the ABC faces scrutiny over restructuring of its Indigenous teams, which ABC managing director Hugh Marks discussed at Senate Estimates last week.
The agreement runs for two years, from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2028, and covers talent pipelines for creatives and executives. Marks met with about 12 First Nations staff in consultation meetings, though how the partnership's initiatives will be delivered remains to be determined.
The players
Hugh Marks
Hugh Marks is the managing director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.
Screen Australia
Screen Australia is the federal government agency that supports the development and promotion of Australian screen content.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, known as the ABC, is Australia's national public broadcaster.
The details
Under the agreement, ABC and Screen Australia will identify opportunities for staff secondments, exchanges and knowledge-sharing. The two organisations will also work to develop consistent standards for cultural safety, mentoring and career progression. Rachel Perkins, Screen Australia director of First Nations strategy, and Kelly Williams, ABC director of First Nations strategy, are involved in the work.
Timeline
August: Reports emerged that the ABC was restructuring its Indigenous teams.
Last week: Marks faced questions at Senate Estimates about the restructuring.
1 July 2026: The partnership agreement begins.
30 June 2028: The partnership agreement ends.
Roadmap
The partnership follows reports in August 2026 that the ABC was restructuring its Indigenous teams, which led to questions at Senate Estimates last week. Marks has said the broadcaster is consulting on how to elevate the position of First Nations content and expects it will appoint a commissioner operating at the most senior level of the organisation.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people seeking careers in Australian screen production may have new pathways through secondments, exchanges and mentoring under the agreement. Its standards for cultural safety and career progression are intended to shape how these roles are supported over the next two years.
The takeaway
The agreement shows how public broadcasters and government screen agencies can work together to build lasting career pathways for First Nations talent. Readers following the sector can watch whether the planned commissioner role and consistent standards are formally delivered.
Further reading
For more on First Nations culture and identity, see our Native American coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IF Magazine.
