South Australia Expands Game Development Support With $1 Million Digital Games Fund

South Australia is significantly expanding support for its video game industry, with a $1 million Digital Games Fund and a new studio placement program designed to help local developers create, grow, and take their games to global audiences.

The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) is doubling its Digital Games Fund (DGF) to $1 million, marking the state's largest-ever single investment in game development funding.

The expanded fund builds on the success of its inaugural round, launched in October 2025, which provided $500,000 to 11 South Australian game studios. Several funded projects have since reached commercial release and gained international attention.

Three Funding Streams for Game Developers

The second round of the Digital Games Fund will provide support across three stages of game development:

• Pre-production: Up to $30,000 for prototyping, proof-of-concept development, early design and market testing.
• Production: Up to $150,000 for games progressing toward commercial release.
• Post-release: Up to $50,000 for localisation, porting and other activities designed to extend a game's commercial life.

The expanded structure gives developers access to funding at different points in the development lifecycle, from early concepts through post-launch growth.

Previous Funding Has Already Produced Global Releases

The first DGF round has already helped several South Australian studios move projects toward wider commercial audiences.

Powerbomb Games' retro AFL-inspired Pro Jank Footy reached No. 1 on Nintendo Switch following its August release and is also available on PlayStation, Xbox and Steam.

Meanwhile, Bad Plan Studios' End of Ember secured a publishing agreement with Thailand-based Rising Tide Publishing.

Other DGF-supported projects, including The Troll & The Witch's House from Little Bandit and Peppermint from emerging studio Cowboy Fish, were selected for exhibition at PAX Aus and are available for players worldwide to wishlist on Steam.

New Games Studio Placement Program

Alongside the expanded funding initiative, the SAFC is introducing a Games Studio Placement Program to support employment and skills development within the local industry.

Eligible South Australian studios will be able to apply for subsidised salary and superannuation support for six- or 12-month full-time placements.

The program aims to help studios expand their teams while giving emerging and mid-career developers opportunities to strengthen their skills and gain professional experience.

Building a Stronger Development Pipeline

The expanded DGF and Studio Placement Program will also complement the SAFC's existing South Australian Video Game Development (VGD) Rebate.

The rebate provides a 10% rebate on eligible projects with a minimum South Australian spend of $250,000. Since its launch in 2020, the program has supported the development of more than 40 South Australian video games, including mobile, PC and console projects associated with major global companies.

Together, these initiatives create a broader pathway for studios — from early-stage prototyping and team development through production, commercial release and larger-scale projects.

Applications Open in October

Applications for the SAFC Digital Games Fund are scheduled to open on October 21, 2026.

The Games Studio Placement Program is expected to open later in 2026.

The expanded funding represents a growing focus on supporting local game development talent while helping South Australian studios develop original projects with potential to reach international markets.

Source: Safilm.com

Expert Insights

From a Game Development Company perspective, South Australia’s expanded funding creates stronger opportunities for studios to prototype, scale teams, launch original games, and compete in global markets.