Australia’s screen industry, a beacon of creativity and opportunity, is facing a serious mental health crisis, according to a new report from Griffith University.
The Pressure Point Report, a two-year study based on 864 survey responses, reveals alarming levels of burnout and dissatisfaction among screen workers, with conditions comparable to those faced by healthcare professionals.
Among the key findings:
- 72% of respondents said the screen industry is not a mentally healthy place to work.
- 36% have frequently considered quitting in the past six months.
- 25% said they are likely to leave the industry within the next six months.
The study paints a stark picture of the toll taken by relentless deadlines, poor work-life balance, and systemic workplace misconduct. More than half of respondents reported working under constant unreasonable deadlines, and 59% said they had “little to no life outside of work.” Meanwhile, 62% felt pressured not to claim basic entitlements such as sick leave or holidays.
A Culture of Silence and Misconduct
The report also uncovered widespread bullying, harassment, and discrimination across the sector.
Almost half of all respondents said they had experienced bullying in the past year, while 35% encountered sexual harassment or discrimination. Alarmingly, more than a third of victims chose not to report incidents, fearing career repercussions or that no action would be taken.
“After witnessing how others were treated when they spoke up, I decided to stay quiet about my own experiences,” one participant said. “It feels like complaining is career suicide in this industry.”
Inequality Deepens the Crisis
The mental health burden is not equally shared. Women reported significantly higher rates of sexual harassment and poor work-life balance than men. LGBTQIA+ workers experienced higher rates of depression and sleep disorders, while Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, culturally diverse, and disabled practitioners also faced elevated negative experiences.
Neurodivergent professionals and workers with pre-existing mental health conditions were among those most severely affected, often reporting that their professional input was dismissed or undervalued.
Call for Structural Change
The report warns that surface-level initiatives like wellness workshops are insufficient. Three-quarters of respondents said they needed mental health support specifically because of their work environment.
“This industry needs more than a quick fix, it needs real, lasting change,” a veteran crew member said. “That means calling out toxic behaviour, backing workers with proper support, and creating fair conditions where people are treated with respect.”
At the recent Mental Health Matters: A Screen Leaders’ Summit, potential solutions were discussed, including adapting models from other industries, such as the construction sector’s MATES program and the UK Film and TV Charity’s Whole Picture Toolkit.
A Critical Moment for the Industry
The study highlights that without urgent structural reform, the Australian screen industry risks a mass exodus of skilled workers with serious consequences for the local production sector and Australia’s global standing as a film and television hub.
“If nearly a quarter of the workforce exits,” the report warns, “the industry would severely diminish its capacity to capitalise on international opportunities and maintain a strong pipeline of local stories.”
Australia’s screen sector, long a contributor to national identity and global culture, now faces a critical turning point.
