ABC & AIDC announce 2026 Indigenous documentary placement – The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in partnership with the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) are pleased to open applications for the Indigenous Documentary Placement program for 2026, with a submission deadline of 26 April 2026.
Running for the fifth year, the Indigenous Documentary Placement provides one mid-career Indigenous practitioner with a unique opportunity to undertake a paid extended placement with the ABC, Australia’s largest public broadcaster.
The successful applicant will be embedded in the ABC for a period of four months based in Sydney. The placement’s goal is to provide the practitioner with the opportunity to develop their skills in documentary and/or factual development and production within the context of a public broadcaster with a broader view towards creating employment pathways.
The placement will commence with the ABC in June 2026. The successful candidate will receive an equivalent annual producer-level salary of up to $96,715 per annum which equates to approximately $42,234 for four months inclusive of statutory superannuation contributions. The participant will be contracted by the ABC.
Practitioners from all states and territories are welcome to apply and may be eligible to seek additional support from their relevant state or territory screen agency to help with travel costs.
ABC Director Content Jennifer Collins said:
“The Indigenous Documentary Placement program continues to be a key part of the ABC’s commitment to supporting First Nations creatives. Through this placement, we aim to provide meaningful, hands-on experience while helping to foster employment pathways. We’re proud to once again partner with AIDC on this important initiative and look forward to welcoming the 2026 placement recipient to the ABC.”
Previous participants in the Indigenous Documentary Placement include the inaugural recipient, award-winning filmmaker and descendant of the Yuin and Awabakal nations, Daniel King (2021), Ngarluma writer and director Perun Bonser (2022), Palawa director and cinematographer Anna-Marie Harding (2024), and, most recently, director/producer and AIDC 2025 Leading Light recipient, Dylan Nicholls (2025).
Reflecting on the placement, Dylan Nicholls said,
“The AIDC x ABC placement was a transformative experience for me as a documentary director and producer. It provided behind-the-scenes insight into how documentary projects are developed, evaluated, and commissioned at the ABC, and helped me better understand what strong pitches look like from a broadcaster’s perspective. I had the opportunity to sit in on development meetings with commissioning editors, work across multiple teams, and contribute to a wide range of content – from community impact stories to broadcast documentary.
“One of the most valuable aspects was the access to people and experiences that would have taken years to build otherwise. Through the placement, I was able to work with the ABC Indigenous team, assist on established programs like ABC Compass, and produce short-form content for the Impact & Partnerships team.”
Nicholls notes a particularly positive result of his time with the ABC:
“While on placement, I pitched a half-hour documentary that has been acquired for broadcast, which was an incredible outcome at this stage of my career.” (Nicholls’ documentary, YALUU (See You Again) will premiere on ABC Compass on Sunday 26 April.)
“I would highly recommend this placement to any Indigenous filmmaker who wants to work in the documentary industry,” he affirms. “It has accelerated my development, expanded my network, and given me opportunities that would have been very difficult to access otherwise. If you come into the placement curious, proactive, and open to learning, you’ll get so much out of it!”
Welcoming the return of the program, AIDC CEO / Creative Director, Natasha Gadd, said,
“Each year AIDC showcases and celebrates the impressive storytelling talent of First Nations documentary and factual creators who continue to impress both here and on the world stage. AIDC is committed to creating and contributing to opportunities for Indigenous-led storytelling and new industry pathways and is thrilled to be co-presenting the Indigenous Documentary Placement with the ABC for a fifth year. Since 2019, AIDC has welcomed over 570 new and returning practitioners to the Indigenous Creators Program and this placement is an opportunity to extend this commitment outside of the AIDC conference. Following the achievements of previous recipients, Anna-Marie Harding, Daniel King, Perun Bonser and Dylan Nicholls, we look forward to what possibilities lie ahead for this year’s recipient and what they will bring to both ABC and the documentary landscape.”
All Indigenous practitioners interested in the placement are invited to attend a virtual information session with Kelrick Martin, Head of Indigenous, ABC, Justin Fenwick, Indigenous Employment Manager, ABC, and Dylan Nicholls, 2025 Indigenous Documentary Placement recipient, on Wednesday 15 April, 11:00am-12:00pm AEST.
The information session will provide practitioners with an opportunity to learn more about the placement and to ask questions. To register interest in the Information Session, email info@aidc.com.au
Applicant enquiries about the 2026 Indigenous Documentary Placement should be directed to Kelrick Martin, Head of Indigenous, ABC: martin.kelrick@abc.net.au
Applications for the 2026 Indigenous Documentary Placement close 11:59pm AEST Sunday 26 April, 2026. Visit the Indigenous Documentary Placement page on the AIDC website for more information and the application form.
Media Release – AIDC
Link to AIDC HERE
TV Central Other content HERE
ABC & AIDC announce 2026 Indigenous documentary placement
