SBS elevates the diversity of Australia across its commissioned programs, achieving ambitious equity and inclusion content targets
5 December, 2024
Media releases
SBS has shared key insights into how it has reflected under-represented communities and voices through its commissioned content, meeting or exceeding the commitments outlined in the SBS Commissioning Equity and Inclusion Guidelines (2021-2024) to improve inclusion in the screen sector.
SBS has today published an overview of its performance against the SBS Commissioning Equity and Inclusion Guidelines (2021-2024), reflecting a strategic uplift in diverse representation across its commissioned content slate over the past three years.
The inaugural guidelines were developed in consultation with industry and stakeholders. They set ambitious, nuanced and comprehensive multi-year targets across SBS's unscripted and scripted commissioned content, as part of its commitment to ensuring all Australians can see themselves and their communities in the stories told on screen. The focus was on increasing representation of people from five key under-represented groups: culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people living with disability, LGBTQI+, and women - also recognising intersectionality.
With the conclusion of the initial three-year period and across the 62 programs, SBS and its production partners either met or exceeded targets set for on-screen, off-screen and career progression roles. The results show that SBS is closely reflecting the diversity of contemporary Australia, and in some cases exceeding population levels, while often being above industry levels. The results also highlight the continued work needed to improve representation of people living with disability across SBS's commissioned content where there remains a gap between SBS programs and the Australian population.
SBS Director of Television, Kathryn Fink, said: SBS is committed to ensuring all Australians see themselves - their communities, their cultures, their stories reflected on our screens. That's achieved not only through improving the representation we see in front of the camera, but importantly, in those who create and craft these stories. We're pleased to see the impact we have had in our content and within the sector through the delivery of the SBS Commissioning Equity and Inclusion Guidelines over the past few years.
We're grateful for the collaboration of our partners in the sector in sharing our commitment to ensuring that whoever you are, there are no barriers to prevent you from sharing your story and pursuing a career in this industry. The last three years also provide valuable data in setting the direction we need to take in the years ahead to drive ongoing change and deliver on our distinct purpose for all Australians.
Table: The Everyone Project data comparing representation for SBS commissioned programs, the broader TV and film industry, and the Australian population.
To track, analyse and report on progress against the targets - which included SBS providing yearly updates in its annual report SBS uses data collected through its participation in The Everyone Project (TEP), an industry-wide commitment to measure cast and crew diversity across registered Australian film and television productions, led by the Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network (SDIN) of which SBS is a founding member.
SBS also uses Scripted Target Reports which are completed by partner production companies for scripted programming. The results for SBS Scripted commissions also included achieving on-screen genre-specific targets, such as ensuring at least two people who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse and/or First Nations were cast as main characters in programs. Shows focused on a particular under-represented community had further off-screen targets met for ensuring representation from that community, as well as at least 50% women, hired in key writing, director/producer and production roles.
Head of Creative Diversity, TV and Online Content, Yana Groves, said: The SBS Commissioning Equity and Inclusion Guidelines set an important standard for our sector. This includes essential accountability for SBS to deliver on audience expectations as Australia's multicultural and First Nations broadcaster. SBS remains committed to leading the way for a more inclusive Australian film and TV sector, both on-screen and off-screen. This is a key component of fulfilling the SBS Charter, made possible through these Guidelines and other inclusion initiatives we invest in. SBS remains committed to providing meaningful career development opportunities for under-represented talent, to support more enriched, diverse storytelling for all Australian audiences.
I'd also like to acknowledge the work of my colleague Michelle Cheng, Head of Creative Diversity (on parental leave), who embarked on this important work over several years, developing and implementing SBS's first set of guidelines. She has also led the development of our next iteration, with our Diversity and Inclusion Project Officer, Isabelle Beaupr , to be launched in the new year. I'm proud to be overseeing this project, working with the SBS Commissioning team and our production partners, and I look forward to an exciting year ahead for Australian storytelling on SBS.
Next year, SBS will publish its second set of guidelines, to cover the period from 1 July 2025 - 30 June 2028. Until then, SBS is extending the existing targets to apply for a fourth year, from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.
The Guidelines were developed to complement the range of screen sector initiatives and career pathways SBS invests in, including the successful and long-running Diversity Talent Escalator, and Digital Originals delivered in partnership with N
Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories
04/06/2026
Is Your Job Making You Work this June?
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS Launches the World Cup Watchers' Rights Association to Stand Up For Australians&...
04/06/2026
Statement regarding unauthorised use of SBS logos on third party social content
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has become aware of social media posts in c...
03/06/2026
Clarification: SBS's position on definitions of antisemitism
3 June, 2026
Media releases
Statement by Mandi Wicks, SBS Director of News and Current Aff...
03/06/2026
Do not read this media release! Andy Lee's smash-hit show returns to ABC thi...
01/06/2026
SBS confirms its broadcast sponsors for FIFA World Cup 2026
1 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has secured Hyundai, Hisense, Macca's, Rexona, bet365, Com...
28/05/2026
Get fit for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with new SBS On Demand features for the ult...
28/05/2026
Six films, one unmissable collection. First Facts documentaries debut on 10 Stre...
28/05/2026
Emma Watkins brings all-new Emma's Dance Club to ABC Kids 28 May 2026
Emmas Dance Club. Image credit: Sarah Wilson.
The ABC, Screen Australia and Screen N...
26/05/2026
Three new kids' digital series set to hatch from ACTF and Screen Australia i...
25/05/2026
SBS announces exclusive TV broadcast schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026
21 May, 2026
Media releases
Luke Wilkshire, Tommy Oar, Andrew Redmayne, Sarah Walsh ...
22/05/2026
Statement regarding 2026 National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award for the late...
21/05/2026
2026 delegation for Partner with Australia (UK) initiative announced 21 May 2026
Screen Australia and Ausfilm have today announced the delegation for the 2026 ...
20/05/2026
From Gulkula to the nation: Yothu Yindi Foundation and NITV deepen national acce...
20/05/2026
SBS appoints David Fernandez as National Manager, Digital & TV Sales
20 May, 2026
Media releases
SBS has appointed David Fernandez as National Manager, Dig...
20/05/2026
First Nations Factual Co-production Development Fund launched to elevate Indigen...
18/05/2026
Delta Goodrem shines for SBS as more than 3.27 million Australians tune in for E...
17/05/2026
Delta Goodrem's Eurovision Eclipse marks end of a stellar run
17 May, 2026
Media releases
Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026
Relive every spellbinding mome...
15/05/2026
Joint Statement: News Bargaining Incentive
28 April, 2026
Media releases
The vibrancy of Australian democracy relies on the robust and open exchange of new...
15/05/2026
Call it Deltavision, Australia's through to the Grand Final of this year'...
14/05/2026
SBS Board appoints Jane Palfreyman Managing Director
13 May, 2026
Media releases
The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Board of Directors is pleased to an...
14/05/2026
Transforming bold ideas into market-ready productions: Digital Originals returns
14 May, 2026
Media releases
SBS, NITV and Screen Australia have announced ...
14/05/2026
Australia Uncovered Returns to SBS with Bold New Season Featuring John Safran on...
14/05/2026
Transforming bold ideas into market-ready productions: Digital Originals returns 14 May 2026
Top (L-R): Bronte Gosper (Musket), Mema Munro (Rogue One), Nathan ...
12/05/2026
One month to go! SBS reveals expansive FIFA World Cup 2026 lineup beyond the pi...
11/05/2026
You're not meant to look at an Eclipse, but you won't be able to take yo...
04/05/2026
It's Andrew! stomps onto screens this June 4 May 2026
The ABC and Screen Australia are delighted to announce that brand new preschool series, It's Andr...
30/04/2026
SBS & NITV LEAD NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2026 WITH LANDMARK GULPILIL DOCUMEN...
29/04/2026
Surgeon Dr Jasmina Kevric wins 2026 Les Murray Award
29 April, 2026
Media releases
Australia for UNHCR and SBS are proud to announce that Dr Jasmina Kevric...
23/04/2026
Apply now to join the 2026 Producer Delegation to TIFF: The Market 23 April 2026
Screen Australia, in partnership with Ontario Creates, has opened application...
22/04/2026
SBS names shortlisted brands for 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge
22 April, 2026
Media releases
National broadcaster also releases its second annual...
21/04/2026
Applications open for 2026 AISF and Screen Australia Writer/Director Virtual Ses...
20/04/2026
Register now - Market & Audience Department Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 11 February 2026
Screen Australia Head of Market & Audience Rakel Tansley
Talking to...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces funding for 44 documentary projects that reflect a s...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia appoints Tanya Phegan as Narrative Content Head of Development 17 March 2026
Tanya Phegan
Screen Australia has today announced the appointmen...
20/04/2026
Applications Open for Skip Ahead 11 19 March 2026
Past Skip Ahead recipients (L-R): Macfarlane Bros, Rainbow Bop, Lyanna Kea.
Screen Australia and YouTube Aus...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia empowers the next games generation, including new creatives fro...
20/04/2026
Official Co-production Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 26 March 2026
Image (L-R): Mix Tape, Michele McDonald, Flower & Flour.
Interested in international Co-pro...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces Narrative Content funding for 91 projects, including ...
20/04/2026
Production Infrastructure and Capacity Analysis (PICA) pinpoints four key workfo...
20/04/2026
Australians in Film and Screen Australia Announce the 2026 Participants in the T...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia relaunches website with new tools and improved user experience 16 April 2026
Screen Australia relaunches website
Screen Australia has relaun...
16/04/2026
SBS reveals all-star alumni team to celebrate 70 years of the Eurovision Song Co...
02/04/2026
SBS Welcomes Back Cup Fever! For The Biggest FIFA World Cup Ever
2 April, 2026
Media releases
Santo Cilauro, Ed Kavalee and a host of special guests retur...
02/04/2026
Truth. Power. Perspective: NITV's Flagship Current Affairs Programs Return t...
27/03/2026
NITV to broadcast farewell to Rhoda Roberts AO with special coverage and week-lo...
21/03/2026
New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnect highlights how we all deserve t...
21/03/2026
Statement regarding Rhoda Roberts AO
21 March, 2026
Media releases
SBS is deeply saddened by the passing of Widjabul Wieybal woman from the Bundjalung Na...
20/03/2026
Feast for cycling fans as SBS extends road cycling broadcasts to include all Gra...
SBS elevates the diversity of Australia across its commissioned programs, achieving ambitious equity and inclusion content targets 
