Production Assistant (Film, Television, Radio or Stage)
A global AI analysis is below; pick a country for local salary, licensing and migration data.
The role of production assistant is a mixed bag: AI automation will take over administrative tasks like schedule coordination and document management, but the flexibility, interpersonal communication, and creative decision-making skills of a production assistant on set or stage are hard to replace; instead, AI can amplify their efficiency advantages.
More exposed than about 53% of occupations (percentile; higher = more exposed to AI)
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Replaced the manual sorting and distribution of schedules, call sheets, and coordination of communication by production assistants, reducing paper processes and manual handovers through cloud-based automation and visualisation.
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Replaces some manual work of production assistants in script breakdown, production scheduling, call sheet generation, and simple budget tracking, using automation tools to reduce errors and repetition.
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Replaced the tasks of production assistants in writing simple emails, taking meeting minutes, generating basic information documents, and other clerical tasks, and can also be used for quick referencing and organizing production-related information.
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Largely replaces production assistants in scheduling, conflict detection, and call sheet generation, using AI algorithms to automatically plan optimal schedules, reducing manual coordination and repeated adjustments.
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Partially replaces production assistants in budget tracking, script breakdown, shot logging, and materials list management using digital tools to reduce manual sorting and paper documents.
- Coordinate filming schedules and resource bookings
- Organize and distribute documents such as scripts and call sheets
- Record meeting minutes and task tracking
- Manage prop list and basic inventory
- Handle simple data entry and reporting
- Use AI tools to quickly generate shooting schedule drafts
- Optimizing resource scheduling through AI analysis of on-set logs
- Using AI-assisted budget tracking and expense reporting
- Quickly find manual information using AI chatbots
- Use AI translation tools to communicate with multilingual film crews
- Flexibly responding to unexpected situations on site (e.g. weather, equipment failure)
- High-EQ communication with directors, actors, and other key personnel
- Creative decision support (e.g., prop selection, set adjustment)
- Team coordination and emotional management
- Deep understanding of industry workflows and unwritten rules
- Master AI scheduling tools (e.g., Motion, Fellow)
- Learn basic data analysis (Excel/SQL) for budget management
- Proficient in using AI collaboration platforms (such as Notion AI, Slack)
- Develop on-site emergency decision-making and leadership.
- Learn basic video editing and AI-assisted editing
- Improve cross-cultural communication and language skills
Competition for entry-level positions intensifies as AI tools reduce time spent on basic administrative tasks, producers may reduce recruitment of junior assistants or require higher skills. However, on-site assistant roles (e.g., set and prop management) remain, requiring stronger reliability.
Production assistants should proactively learn AI tools (such as automated scheduling, budgeting software) to become AI-collaborative production assistants, with career progression paths including production coordinator, production manager, or on-site producer. At the same time, deepen on-set soft skills (adaptability, communication) to transition to assistant director or project manager.
Local data by country
Ratings · Overall 5.3/10
Salary
| Experience | Annual (AUD) | |
|---|---|---|
| 薪资中位数 | $82,680 ~ $82,680 | 全职周中位收入×52 年化（来源：ABS EEH May 2025，ANZSCO 4位） |
| Entry level (0–3 years) | $45,000 ~ $55,000 | Entry-level, contract positions common |
| Mid-level (3–6 years) | $55,000 ~ $70,000 | Salary increases with experience |
| Senior (6+ years) | $70,000 ~ $90,000 | Senior assistant or coordinator salary |
| 平均薪资 | $71,292 ~ $71,292 | 全体雇员周均总现金×52 年化（来源：ABS EEH May 2025，ANZSCO 大类） |
Education Path
| Stage | Duration | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Vocational education diploma | 1-2 years | $10,000~$25,000 |
| Bachelor's degree | 3 years | $30,000~$60,000 |
| Short-term certificate | 6 months. | $2,000~$5,000 |
Qualifications
| Qualification | Issuer | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's license | State government | Required |
| Diploma in Film and Television Production | TAFE or approved private college | Optional |
| First aid certificate | Australian resuscitation training organizations | Optional |
Migration (to Australia)
| Visa | Details |
|---|---|
| 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa | Employer-sponsored temporary visa for experienced production assistants, requiring employer nomination. |
| 190 Skilled Nominated Visa | State-sponsored skilled migration, occupation on CSOL but not MLTSSL, so only state sponsorship is possible. |
| 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa | Skilled migration temporary visa for regional areas, applicable for regional production work. |
Who it fits
- People who love the film and television industry and are willing to start from the grassroots
- Good communication and organizational skills, able to work under high pressure.
- Team player, able to adapt to varying production schedules
- People seeking a stable 9-to-5 work schedule
- Those who dislike high-intensity physical labor or long hours of traveling
Career outlook
Career progression path: from production assistant to production coordinator, production manager, or assistant director. With experience, can become an independent producer or project lead, or transition to related fields such as post-production or distribution.
The Australian film and performing arts industry continues to grow, with strong demand from streaming platforms, but entry-level positions are highly competitive. Employment opportunities are mainly concentrated in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne, with stable demand expected over the next five years.
Growth areas：
Streaming content boomLive events revivalDigital production toolsDiverse content demand
FAQ
Data sources
Salary ranges are estimates aggregated from public listings on Seek, Indeed, Glassdoor and ERI SalaryExpert; employment and demand forecasts cite Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS); visa and migration details follow the latest occupation lists from the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant assessing authorities. Figures are indicative only — always refer to the latest official sources.
Ratings · Overall 5.5/10
Salary
| Experience | Annual (NZD) | |
|---|---|---|
| 薪资中位数 | $67,392 ~ $67,392 | 周中位收入×52 年化（来源：Stats NZ 2025，ANZSCO 1位大类） |
| Entry level (0–3 years) | $45,000 ~ $55,000 | Varies by project type and region |
| Mid-level (3–6 years) | $55,000 ~ $65,000 | Salary increases with experience, primarily project-based |
| Senior (6+ years) | $65,000 ~ $80,000 | Senior production assistant or promotion to coordinator |
| 平均薪资 | $72,176 ~ $72,176 | 周均值×52 年化（来源：Stats NZ 2025，ANZSCO 1位大类） |
Education Path
| Stage | Duration | Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|---|
| High school diploma | 3 years | $0~$10,000 |
| Diploma or bachelor's (film and television production) | 1-3 years | $20,000~$60,000 |
Qualifications
| Qualification | Issuer | |
|---|---|---|
| Safety card (Site Safe) | Site Safe New Zealand | Required |
| Driver's License (Class 1) | New Zealand Transport Agency. | Required |
| Film and television production certificate | Various polytechnics such as Yoobee Colleges. | Optional |
Migration (to New Zealand)
⚠ This occupation is not on the Green List straight-to-residence track, so direct skilled migration is unavailable; however migration is possible via an accredited-employer work visa (AEWV) then residence — pathways and places are limited. Refer to the latest Immigration New Zealand rules.
| Visa | Details |
|---|---|
| AEWV Accredited Employer Work Visa | Must be sponsored by an accredited employer; the position must meet the labor market test; work visa time can be accumulated, but it does not directly lead to immigration. |
| SMC Skilled Migrant Category | Not eligible, because this occupation is not on the skilled occupation list and cannot earn points for skilled migration. |
Who it fits
- Passionate about film and television production, able to adapt to intense and irregular working hours
- Good communication, organizational coordination, and attention to detail
- Willing to start from entry-level and accumulate industry experience
- People seeking stable and easy work
- Those who need fast immigration or financial security
Career outlook
After gaining project experience, one can advance to roles such as production coordinator, assistant director, or production manager. Some production assistants move into specialized areas like props management or post-production. Networking and a strong portfolio are key.
New Zealand's film and TV industry is growing steadily, driven by international productions and local content demand. Production assistant roles have low entry barriers but are highly competitive, mostly short-term project-based, with moderate employment prospects. Auckland and Wellington are key employment hubs.
Growth areas：
AEWVFilm IndustryShort-term ContractsAuckland Region
FAQ
Data sources
Salary estimates on this page are compiled from publicly available ranges on Seek NZ, Trade Me Jobs, Glassdoor, PayScale, etc. Employment and demand forecasts reference Stats NZ and MBIE. Immigration information is based on Immigration New Zealand's Green List and latest skilled migration (SMC / AEWV) rules. Data is for reference only. Always refer to official sources for the most current information.
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