Overview

• Screen Producers Australia released guidance telling members that payments with the character of writing services will attract superannuation under existing law.
• The Australian Writers’ Guild rejected SPA’s framing, arguing writers are commissioned to provide writing services and that copyright can only be assigned after scripts are created.
• The December 2024 ATO ruling states a person engaged to write a script is performing services, whereas selling an existing script is a property sale that does not trigger super.
• SPA noted past AWG–SPA agreements for TV, miniseries and children’s series did not require super, but said producers remain committed to complying with current super obligations.
• At least two former Home & Away writers won ATO complaints, and Seven Productions declined to comment on a related Fair Work claim in the Federal Court; Seven is not an SPA member, while Fremantle is.