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The Australian Government has announced a major expansion of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), with plans to establish a state-of-the-art production hub in Western Sydney. This decision follows a feasibility study into relocating SBS from its headquarters in Artarmon, which was ultimately deemed too costly.

Instead of a full-scale relocation, the government will support the creation of a cutting-edge facility designed to amplify SBS’s capacity for news, current affairs, multilingual audio services, and screen production.

Work on the Western Sydney production hub will begin in early 2025, with plans for a modern, multi-purpose facility. Key features will include:

• TV studio with capacity for live audience shows
• Dedicated radio and podcasting booths
• Collaboration spaces for talent development and incubation
• Workspace to support production output

This initiative aims to drive creative and economic growth in Western Sydney, providing new opportunities for local talent and fostering greater media representation for under-represented communities.

SBS will actively engage with local councils, educational institutions, business leaders, and economic development bodies to ensure the project aligns with the region’s growth and development goals. The final scope of the project will be determined following the completion of a formal business case.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland confirmed that the new hub will support the production of approximately 360 hours of new Australian screen content annually and 1,440 hours of original audio and podcast content, including multilingual programming.

“SBS connects with multilingual, multicultural, and First Nations communities, including in Western Sydney, and is vital to bringing diverse voices to Australian audiences,” Minister Rowland said.

“The Albanese Government is committed to growing and supporting SBS and to ensuring its unique value benefits all Australians.”

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland confirmed that the new hub will support the production of approximately 360 hours of new Australian screen content annually and 1,440 hours of original audio and podcast content, including multilingual programming.

“SBS connects with multilingual, multicultural, and First Nations communities, including in Western Sydney, and is vital to bringing diverse voices to Australian audiences,” Minister Rowland said.

“The Albanese Government is committed to growing and supporting SBS and to ensuring its unique value benefits all Australians.”

SBS Board Chair George Savvides described the expansion as a fitting celebration of the broadcaster’s upcoming 50th anniversary.

“When SBS makes content with communities, especially those who are under-represented in the Australian media, those communities feel more included in society,” Savvides stated.

“The SBS Board is delighted at the opportunity to embed SBS within Western Sydney, and to keep growing SBS’s contribution to social cohesion through community access to trusted, impartial media and even greater opportunities for local communities to be part of our diverse storytelling.”

The SBS announcement follows a similar expansion from fellow public broadcaster ABC, which reached a new milestone at its Western Sydney base over the weekend. ABC NEWS broadcast its NSW 7PM News bulletin from the Parramatta studios for the first time on Sunday.

ABC Parramatta, located at 6-8 Parramatta Square, will house presenters and journalists from ABC Sydney, ABC News, and ABC RN. This move is part of a broader five-year strategy to ensure that 75% of ABC’s content makers are working outside its Ultimo headquarters by 2025.