Online content production businesses make content to be uploaded onto online and social media platforms such as:

• video hosting sites
• podcast platforms
• livestreaming platforms.

Sometimes these businesses hire employees to help develop and produce content. This is different from an online content creator hiring a contractor to do part of the production.

Award coverage for an employee working for an online content production business will depend on:

• the type of content the business is making
• the employee’s duties and qualifications.

Industry award coverage

Broadcasting Award

Businesses that mainly develop, produce and record video content to upload on online hosting platforms might employ:

• camera operators
• editors
• writers and researchers
• sound technicians
• hosts or cohosts
• animators
• voice over artists
• set designers
• lighting technicians

The Broadcasting Award may cover online video content production businesses and their employees if there’s a classification for their role. For example, a camera operator working on online video content is likely to fall within the Motion Picture Production stream.

Example

Cameron runs a news and commentary channel called Cam on the Press on a video hosting site.

He decides he wants to grow his channel by increasing the number of videos he uploads each week.

Cameron employs Mitch and Haley as part-time employees.

Mitch is hired as a researcher. His duties include monitoring and researching online events and worldwide news. He uses his research to create written briefs for Cameron.

Cameron uses Mitch’s briefs to write video scripts. Mitch fact checks Cameron's scripts against his research and makes editing suggestions.

Haley films and edits videos. She operates the camera and recording equipment, sets up lighting, and does sound editing. She also adds special effects and video clips into the video according to Cameron’s script.

Cameron then uploads the completed video to video hosting sites.

Mitch has a Certificate IV in Journalism and has completed several internships at local newspapers.

Haley doesn’t have a qualification but has experience with video editing for other online content creators.

The Broadcasting Award applies to both Mitch and Haley.

Mitch is a Journalist Grade 1 under the Journalists stream.

Haley is a Level 3 employee under the Motion Picture Production stream.

Employees of podcasting businesses

Podcasting businesses in the Broadcasting Industry can be covered by the Broadcasting Award.

The Artists or Musicians streams within the Award may apply to employees who talk or perform on podcasts.

Filmed podcasts

If a podcast is filmed, employees doing production work can be classified under the Motion Picture Production stream.

Their classification will depend on their duties and qualifications.

Podcasts that aren't filmed

If a podcast isn’t filmed, the Broadcasting Award can cover hosts or performers. They’ll be classified under the Artists or Musicians streams.

There isn’t an appropriate classification stream for businesses that create content that isn't filmed.

Example

Jonno runs an audio only podcast called Fabulas Romanas.

It’s presented each week by different fictional characters. The fictional characters come from different points in Roman history and discuss political and social events happening in their time.

Jonno researches and writes the script and hires Jimothy as a voice actor to play the characters for the duration of the project.

Jimothy is covered by the Broadcasting Award. He's classified as a Performer Class 1 under the Artists stream.

No industry award coverage

Online content production businesses and their employees not covered by an industry award might be:

• covered by an occupational award
• covered by the Miscellaneous Award
• award free.

Occupational Award

Clerks Award

The Clerks Award may cover employees who mainly do clerical work for the business.

Their classification will depend on their duties and qualifications.

Example

Guillaume works for ToYube, a business that makes content for several different channels on popular video hosting sites.

Customers purchase site channels from ToYube and pay a management fee to the company each month.

Customers choose the kind of channel and the frequency of uploads. ToYube then creates content and runs the channel based on these choices. Earnings from the channel are then divided between the customer and ToYube based on the level of investment.

Guillaume works at the front desk in a reception role. He directs calls and customer enquiries to the appropriate departments and greets clients. He also provides information about the company’s services to potential customers.

Guillaume isn’t involved in any of the content production work.

The Broadcasting Award covers the business. Production employees are classified under the Motion Picture Production stream.

As there’s no classification for his role under the Broadcasting Award, Guillaume is covered by the Clerks Award. He’s classified as a level 2 employee.

Miscellaneous Award

Employees working for online content production businesses are covered by the Miscellaneous Award if:

• they’re not covered by an industry or occupational award
• they’re not a managerial or professional employee.

For example, employees doing production work for podcasts that aren’t filmed may be covered by the Miscellaneous Award, as there isn’t an appropriate classification for production work of audio only content.

An employee may be a professional employee if they’re required by their employer to hold a professional qualification for their role.

Employees are classified based on their duties and qualifications.

Example

Jonno also employs Jakob as a sound technician on his podcast Fabulas Romanas.

Jakob operates audio equipment during the recording session. Once the recording is completed, he also edits the recording before it’s uploaded.

Jakob has worked for Jonno for 3 months and doesn’t have a qualification.

The Broadcasting Award doesn’t have an appropriate classification for Jakob’s role.

Jakob is covered by the Miscellaneous Award. He’s classified as a level 2 employee.

Award free

If an employee of an online content production business isn’t covered by an industry or occupational award or the Miscellaneous Award, they’ll be award free.

Award free employees are entitled to the National Minimum Wage and the National Employment Standards.