The Australian video game industry may not have levelled up much in 2024, but it held steady, raking in a cool AUD$339.1 million in revenue, according to the latest Australian Game Developer Survey (AGDS). Released today by the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA), the snapshot gives us a peek into the challenges and victories of our local devs. And there’s reason to be optimistic.
Despite global headwinds (read: it’s been a tough year all ’round), Aussie studios managed to keep full-time employment steady, with 2,465 people working across the sector. And the future’s looking bright, with 61% of studios planning to hire in 2025. If you’re a budding game developer or artist, now might be your moment to jump in.
Ron Curry, CEO of IGEA, reckons the global love for Aussie-made games is driving the industry’s resilience. A massive 93% of the industry’s revenue came from overseas markets in 2024. That’s right—our devs are creating games so good, the rest of the world can’t get enough of them. “Generous and globally competitive tax rebates, plus direct funding from the federal and state governments, are keeping the industry in a strong position,” said Curry.
The FY2024 Australian Game Developer Survey paints a clear picture of where diversity in the industry stands—and let’s just say there’s still plenty of work to be done. Men make up 74% of the workforce, while women sit at 22%, and only 4% of employees identify as transgender, non-binary, or gender diverse. Compared to previous years, there’s been a slight dip in representation across the board, which feels like a step back. That said, looking at the bigger picture since FY2016, we can see slow but steady progress for women and gender-diverse folks breaking into the industry. It’s proof that things are moving—but not nearly fast enough to create the kind of inclusivity the sector desperately needs.
The survey also shows that many studios plan to use the Digital Games Tax Offset this year. It’s a game-changer (pun intended) for many smaller studios looking to grow, with 40% of those surveyed saying they’ll be claiming it. While Victoria remains the hub for game development, with 52% of head offices located there, Western Australia gets a shoutout for doubling its employee count over the past year. Get in!
But it’s not all sunshine and pixel-perfect rainbows. The report highlighted ongoing struggles with securing early-stage funding and publisher deals, both locally and internationally. Still, a whopping 81% of studios predict income growth or stability in 2025. This optimism isn’t misplaced, especially given the incredible games showcased at the Australian Game Developer Awards in October.
The mix of new and established studios shows just how dynamic the scene is. Over half of the surveyed studios are under five years old, but 25% have been crafting games for over a decade. That’s a solid pool of emerging talent and seasoned pros.
So, while Australian developers are quietly making magic happen, keep supporting local games.
The full report and an infographic summary are available here and here.
TL;DR: The Australian game dev industry made AUD$339.1 million in 2024, with steady employment and big plans for 2025. Challenges like diversity, equality, funding and publishing deals persist, but optimism is high. Oh, and don’t sleep on Aussie-made games—they’re fire.
Stay unruly.
