Study: Uncertainty shadows Australian entertainment biz

A further study shows that despite the outside glamour of the Australian entertainment industry, many of its workers are not optimistic about their future in it. The survey is by Media Super, the industry super fund for creative professionals.

The three major worries of the 2,556 surveyed were a lack of good paying jobs (61%), declining public investment (57%) and shrinking revenues (40%). About 69% don’t know how their career will progress, 60% predict they’ll have to change careers, and 59% worry that they’ll lose their jobs in the next 12 months.

64% feel compelled to give their work away for free to advance their career or secure a permanent job. It’s marked (81%) for under 30s. It lessens to 64% for the 31-50 age group, and 54% of those 51 and above.

But 63% are excited about embracing their opportunities, and a high 75% believe the internet has been good for the arts and entertainment industry, in that it has allowed them to reach a global audience, find new collaborators, and new ways to do business.

The majority value the industry, 62% saying its success is good for the economy and 94% to Australian culture.

But only 17% believe that the Federal Government respects and values the sector. Up to 64% rated its investment in the sector as “poor”, and only 9% ranked it as “good”.

In a worrying figure, only 16% have put aside enough superannuation to retire and just 43% would recommend their children follow their careers.