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How much funding is available, and when can you apply?
The SAFC’s second Digital Games Fund round totals $1 million. The fund opens once a year, and applications are submitted through the SAFC’s online grants platform. The October 2026 guidelines and program details are available from the SAFC Games program page and the October 2026 fund guidelines.
Before applying, the SAFC asks applicants to read its Terms of Trade and discuss their intended request with the agency. The opening date of 21 October 2026 is upcoming as of 7 October 2026.
Which grant stream fits your game?
| Stream | Maximum grant | Project stage and eligible milestone | Application evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-production | Up to $30,000 | Explore, test and prove a new game concept. Possible work includes early design, prototyping, technical proof of concept, art direction, narrative design, market research and planning. | Examples include a pitch deck and milestone budget and timeline. |
| Production | Up to $150,000 | For teams in or about to enter full production, working toward the next significant milestone, including release. The project must be sufficiently developed and appropriately scoped, with a clear pathway to an audience, market, release or further finance. | Examples include a game design document, current footage, audience engagement plan, accessibility plan and marketing proposal. |
| Post-release | Up to $50,000 | Extend a released or near-release game’s commercial life, audience reach or platform availability. Milestones may include localisation, substantial content additions or DLC, accessibility improvements, live-service updates and porting. | Examples include the store page, latest playable build, performance summary, evidence of an existing audience and a future growth plan. |
Post-release funding is aimed at a substantial, defined strategy; routine maintenance, minor patches and general operating costs are excluded unless they form part of one.
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Who can apply?
The October 2026 guidelines set different conditions for individual and company applicants.
Individual applicants
- Must be over 18 and have an active Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Must not be a full-time student and must meet the SAFC Terms of Trade definition of a South Australian resident.
- Must hold the necessary rights and clearances, comply with the SAFC Terms of Trade and have no outstanding contractual obligations to the SAFC.
Company applicants
- Must be incorporated and carrying on business in Australia, with central management and control in Australia.
- Must be registered in South Australia and have had its principal place of business there for at least six months before applying.
- Must be current with relevant government obligations.
What kinds of games and projects qualify?
Eligible projects must be digital games developed by South Australian teams, with at least 75% of the team primarily based in the state. The game must be intended for digital release, involve a moderate degree of interactivity, and have project intellectual property owned or licensed by the applicant. Retrospective funding is not available.
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The guidelines exclude gambling and non-digital games, education-only or business-to-business products, games not intended for commercial release, and projects based on external intellectual property the applicant does not own or license. They also exclude certain student-led projects, games unlikely to receive Australian classification, remasters and games that have already had a full retail release. Check the October 2026 guidelines against your project’s circumstances.
How are applications assessed?
The SAFC lists these assessment criteria:
- Originality and creative ambition.
- The strength of the game’s visuals, story, gameplay and audio.
- Feasibility of the timeline and budget.
- The team’s development record.
- Commercial potential and audience positioning.
- Career pathways for South Australian residents.
- Accessibility.
The SAFC weighs the criteria in light of its strategic objectives and diversity and inclusion strategy.
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What can the grant pay for?
Eligible costs include staffing and legal or licensing expenses. Office hire, marketing, mentoring and external support are eligible only in the production and post-release streams.
Grant money cannot be used to buy computers, laptops, developer kits or other equipment—including mice, monitors, headsets and gaming consoles. Education and travel are also excluded. The fund guidelines set out the spending rules and the materials required for each stream.
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What does the expanded fund build on?
The inaugural Digital Games Fund launched in October 2025, and the SAFC says 11 South Australian studios shared $500,000. In its 6 October 2026 announcement, the corporation cited several early outcomes: Pro Jank Footy, made by Powerbomb Games and Tinkertown, reached No. 1 on Nintendo Switch when it released in August and is also available on PlayStation, Xbox and Steam; Bad Plan Studios’ End of Ember secured a publishing deal with Thailand-based Rising Tide Publishing; and The Troll & The Witch’s House and Peppermint were selected for exhibition at PAX Aus and could be wishlisted on Steam at announcement time. These are outcomes reported by the SAFC, not independent sales or performance verification. The announcement is at SAFC’s 6 October 2026 release.
What other South Australian support is available?
Games Studio Placement Program
Alongside the fund, the SAFC announced a Games Studio Placement Program. Eligible South Australian studios can seek support for salary and superannuation for a six- or 12-month full-time placement for an emerging or mid-career developer. The program was expected to open later in 2026; the SAFC announcement gives no opening date.
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The separate SA Video Game Development Rebate is a discretionary 10% rebate on eligible game-development expenditure incurred and retained in South Australia. It requires at least AUD $250,000 in qualifying expenditure and is subject to available funds. It has separate guidelines and eligibility rules from the Digital Games Fund. The SAFC says the rebate has supported development of more than 40 South Australian video games; see the SAFC Games program page for program information.
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