Who We Support
Actors Benevolent Fund of NSW supports professional (paid) workers within the theatre, film and television industries, including performers, creatives, stage and film crew, FOH, customer service and other industry workers. To be eligible for support applicants must be:
- A current resident of NSW or the ACT, a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, or have a valid working visa.
- Able to demonstrate a minimum of three years paid credits within the theatre, film or television industries in Australia.
- Able to demonstrate their living expenses are greater than regular income.
- Experiencing a crisis* which prevents them from being able to earn a living at the time of application due to illness, injury or other incapacitation - this includes physical and mental illness, caring for a dependent or the results of a major natural disaster.
Musicians and those working within the music industry are not covered by the ABF (with the exception of musicians working primarily in musical theatre) and should apply to Support Act for assistance.
* A crisis does not include loss of income due to low employment opportunities or contract cancellation.
How We Provide Support
Actors Benevolent Fund of NSW offers several grants programs to assist with a variety of challenges facing the members of our industry.
- Food vouchers – available for temporary relief to assist to put food on the table during periods of hardship due to unforeseen emergencies. Maximum of 2 applications per year.
- Financial Grants – up to $3,000 to assist with payment of medical bills, paid directly to practitioners for physical (including dental) or mental health therapies where the applicant is experiencing a crisis and would be unable to meet these costs via other means. The financial grant can be used in instances of natural disaster such as flood or fire to aid with recovery. It may also be used to assist with payment of funeral costs for members of our industry whose estates do not have the means to cover this payment. Limited to 1 application per year.
- Monthly Grant - $350 per month, available to those unable to work due to permanent or temporary illness or disability. Applicants must demonstrate significant financial hardship, to be eligible for this grant.
- Seniors Grants – available to help senior members of the industry remain in their homes for longer, or to assist with the costs of moving into aged care or downsized accommodation. Some one-off corrective surgeries can also be covered under certain circumstances.
What is Not covered for Support?
The performance industries are, by their nature, an unstable form of employment, and so the ABF is unable to provide support to those who are unemployed or underemployed due to any reason other than illness, injury, age-related issue, or experiencing a crisis.
For more details click through to the OTHER BENEVOLENT FUNDS and OTHER ASSISTANCE section.