F.Y.I.

SBS calls for bold new factual series ideas

November 4, 2025 12:40

SBS is seeking Australian factual producers to pitch innovative and thought-provoking series ideas, with up to $50,000 in development funding available for successful applicants.

The announcement:

At SBS, We Go There – and now we’re calling on Australian factual producers to join us. We’re on the hunt for bold, thought-provoking and innovative new factual series ideas that push creative boundaries and spark national conversations. Successful applicants will receive up to $50,000 in development funding to help bring their vision to life.

Emerging from recent callouts for new documentaries, powerful series The People vs Robodebt explored political scandal through an innovative blend of documentary and scripted drama, while The Hospital: In The Deep End took three well-known Australians onto the frontline of the public health system, providing an unfiltered look at the challenges the health system faces.

Now, we’re searching for the next landmark SBS series – one that embodies our Charter and tackles a hot button issue impacting Australia today. We’re after ideas that challenge beliefs, provoke national conversations and trigger transformation. The kind of series that makes people think, feel and act.

Whether your idea features a daring stunt or experiment, employs inventive storytelling, or secures exclusive access to high-profile talent, it must bring a fresh, distinctive lens on the issues that matter most to Australia.

The SBS Factual Commissioning team will provide up to $50,000 in development funding for standout ideas with the potential to become must-see TV for a broad audience – particularly 35-55 year olds. Proposals are encouraged to include initial ideas for complementary digital content to deepen audience engagement and reach.

Head of SBS unscripted, Joseph Maxwell, said: “At SBS we are always looking for bold new ideas that push boundaries. We want to work with the production community to deliver distinctive Australian content that matters. Our initiatives consistently deliver landmark shows – most recently, The People vs Robodebt. We are encouraging risk taking and innovation with SBS’s audience and Charter always front of mind.“

Submission details:

SBS is seeking original factual format ideas ranging from three to eight episodes of up to one hour each in duration.
Project proposals should be no more than four pages, and submissions must include a title, a logline and a single paragraph synopsis. Include a short paragraph on how you hope to spend the development funds and a list of deliverables if successful.
Submissions must be emailed to the SBS Factual pitching portal factual@sbs.com.au, with the subject line ‘New Factual Format Call out’. All submissions will receive an acknowledgement email, but only successful applications will receive feedback due to volume.
All applications must be eligible for state and/or federal documentary funding programs.
Entries are now open and will close Friday 9 February 2026.