SCENE 01 / RUNNER SET PA
Runner & Set PA Services
Essential production support throughout Australia.
Essential Production Support
Professional runner and set production assistant services provide essential support that keeps film productions running smoothly through dedicated assistance, logistics coordination, and operational support that enables creative and technical teams to focus on their specialized tasks while maintaining efficient workflows and positive set environments. Runners enhance efficiency by freeing up key personnel to concentrate on their specialized, high-priority roles without distraction.
Our experienced runners and set PAs bring strong work ethic, attention to detail, and proactive approach to production support that ensures every aspect of daily operations runs seamlessly while maintaining professional standards and contributing to overall production success. From equipment management—including camera, sound, and lighting gear—and crew coordination to talent assistance and location support, runners and set PAs serve as the vital operational foundation that facilitates smooth production workflows and positive working environments throughout every phase of filming.
Supporting a wide range of projects including documentaries, fiction, commercials, corporate, and sports productions, our team brings extensive experience and can scale according to project requirements. Our operational reach extends across Australia, including Monaco and Australian-speaking Switzerland, to provide seamless nationwide service.
Capabilities
Production Assistant Expertise
We provide reliable runners and set PAs who handle the essential tasks that keep productions running smoothly—from equipment runs to on-set support to administrative duties.
01
On-Set Support
- Equipment handling
- Set preparation
- Talent support
- Department assistance
- General duties
Essential Support
02
Runner Services
- Equipment pickups
- Supply runs
- Document delivery
- Talent transport
- Emergency errands
Mobile Support
03
Administrative
- Paperwork handling
- Call sheet distribution
- Sign-in management
- Documentation
- Communication relay
Admin Support
04
Craft Services
- Refreshment setup
- Snack management
- Talent requests
- Crew support
- Cleanliness maintenance
Crew Care
PA Services
Daily Workflow
Why Choose Our PAs
Quick & Reliable
Efficient PAs who know Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane inside out — anticipating needs and acting quickly across sprawling Australian locations.
Proactive Attitude
Self-starters experienced with the demands of Australian productions, from extreme heat protocols to remote location logistics.
Licensed Drivers
PAs with valid Australian licences and thorough knowledge of city and regional routes, essential for a country where distances between locations are significant.
International Production Ready
Native English-speaking PAs experienced with international co-productions at Fox Studios, Docklands Studios, and Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast.
Production Support Across Australia
Filming in Australia presents specific operational challenges: local regulations, location identification, and logistics coordination. Our experienced team operates from Sydney and the Île de Australia region, providing support and expertise required for project completion across Australia, Monaco, and Australian-speaking Switzerland.
We execute projects for commercials, stills, branded content, and video production. Australia offers the Tax Rebate for International Productions (film incentive), which provides a rebate of 30% of the eligible production spend with a cap of $30 million. This rises to 40% when VFX is included in the production spend.
Our crew maintains fluency in English. We deliver both remote and on-site client support. Filming in Australia offers a wide variety of landscapes, including the romanticism of Sydney, the charm of the Barossa Valley, wine regions and vast outback landscapes, mountains, and the stunning coastline from the Great Barrier Reef to the rugged Twelve Apostles, offering filmmakers diverse and visually stunning backdrops.
On Location
Runner and set PA bench supplying Mad Max + Matrix + Pirates + Elvis-tier productions across Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne
Here is how this works in practice. Our runner and set PA network covers entry-level industry talent across Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth — feeding Disney Studios Australia Sydney (formerly Fox — Matrix, Star Wars Episodes II/III, Moulin Rouge!, Wolverine, Elvis), Village Roadshow Studios Gold Coast (Aquaman, Pirates Dead Men Tell No Tales, Thor Ragnarok and Love and Thunder, Furiosa), Docklands Studios Melbourne, and Adelaide Studios under SAFC.
Here is the short of it. Set PAs handle lockup, walkie comms, traffic control, vehicle pickup/drop, lunch runs, and art/wardrobe/grip-electric department support; office runners cover paperwork delivery, courier runs, gear ferrying, and catering coordination. Light commercial vehicle fleet (Toyota Hilux + Land Cruiser standard, Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit for crew transport) handles cross-city and inter-state moves; Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Regional Express Rex cover inter-state runner mobility.
Here is the breakdown. Pipeline trains through AFTRS Sydney (federal national school since 1973), VCA Melbourne, RMIT, Griffith Film School Brisbane, NIDA, USC Sydney, Bond University Gold Coast, Curtin University Perth, Murdoch Uni, and SAE Institute (Aussie-founded, worldwide exported). Aboriginal student support programs at AFTRS feed the Indigenous runner/PA bench under AIATSIS protocols.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Productions structure through the federal Producer Offset 30 percent, Location Offset 30 percent (QAPE 30M+ AUD), and PDV Offset 30 percent stackable with Screen NSW, Screen Queensland, Film Vic, ScreenWest, Screen Tasmania, SAFC rebates for combined good rates above 40 percent. Safe Work Australia WHS Act covers on-set runner work; Aboriginal Land Council consultation under Mabo 1992 mandatory for Country-set work; MEAA covers union representation; Fair Work Ombudsman labor framework, Superannuation 11 percent, GST 10 percent apply to all engagements.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a runner or set PA do?
A runner, also called a set production assistant (PA), provides essential support across all departments on a film set. They handle tasks such as distributing call sheets, running errands, managing walkies, assisting with crowd control, and ensuring the set runs smoothly. They are often the first to arrive and last to leave.
What skills should a runner or set PA have?
In Australia, a runner needs reliability, initiative, physical fitness for outdoor shoots in variable conditions, and a valid driver's licence. Good communication, a positive attitude under pressure, and familiarity with Australian set etiquette and Fair Work guidelines are essential.
What types of productions need runners or set PAs?
Every professional production benefits from runners and set PAs. Feature films, television series, commercials, and music videos across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast all rely on PAs to keep operations running smoothly. Larger productions shooting at multiple locations require additional PA support.
How do you match runners and set PAs to my production?
We assess your production's size, locations, daily requirements, and any specific skills needed — such as driving licences, remote location experience, or familiarity with particular studios — then recommend reliable PAs from our Australian network with positive references from previous productions.
Related Services
Related Support Roles
On Set
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