The Screen Industry Workers (the Act) applies to contractors (referred to as screen production workers or workers), and the engagers (producers and production companies) that hire them.
Under the Act, whether someone is a 'screen production worker' depends on the type of screen production they work on, and the type of work they do.
Types of screen productions covered
The Screen Industry Workers Act covers the following types of screen productions:
- computer-generated games
- films
- programmes.
The following types of screen productions are not covered by the Act:
- advertising programmes longer than five minutes
- amateur productions
- game shows
- live event programmes
- music and dance programmes
- news and current affairs programmes
- recreation and leisure programmes
- religious programmes
- sports programmes
- talk shows
- training and instructional programmes
- variety shows.
For definitions of the above terms, refer to Schedule 3 of the Act:
Schedule 3 of the Screen Industry Workers Act 2022 – New Zealand Legislation (external link)
Types of work covered
The Screen Industry Workers Act covers work which contributes to the creation of screen productions covered by the Act.
The following types of work are not covered:
- support services
- volunteer work
- work done for an engager who does not primarily do work in the screen industry.
'Support services' make only a peripheral contribution to a screen production – meaning the work does not contribute to the core creation of the production. Support services can include: accounting, administration, advertising, auditing, legal, management or representation services.
Engagers can be production companies, partnerships, individuals, or other types of entities. Engagers are considered to primarily do work in the screen industry if:
- at least half of their average annual gross income from the past three years is from screen production work, or
- they were set up in the last three years primarily for the purpose of creating/contributing to screen productions.
Employees vs contractors
The Screen Industry Workers Act applies only to screen production workers who are contractors.
A screen production worker is a contractor unless their written agreement or contract states they are an employee.
The Act does not apply to screen production workers who have a written agreement that says they are an employee. In this case, the worker is an employee and is covered by relevant employment law instead.
Summary flowchart
If you work in the screen industry, use the flowchart below to see if the Screen Industry Workers Act applies to your work.
Answer the questions below to see if the Screen Industry Workers Act applies to your work.
This work is not covered by the Screen Industry Workers Act.
The rights and obligations that apply depend on whether the worker is an employee or a contractor.
This work is covered by employment law
The worker is an employee and the Screen Industry Workers Act does not apply.
This work is covered by the Screen Industry Workers Act
The worker is a contractor covered by the Screen Industry Workers Act.