SBS has put out a call for “bold, thought-provoking and innovative new factual series ideas” that push creative boundaries, with development funding available to successful applicants.
The broadcaster is asking for Australian factual producers to help them spark national conversations with the next “landmark” SBS series, one that embodies its 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,” the callout says.
Emerging from recent callouts for new documentaries, “The People vs Robodebt” was a powerful series exploring 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 it faces.
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.
“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,” said Joseph Maxwell, head of SBS Unscripted.
“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.“
Entries are open now and will close Friday, February 9th, 2026. For more information, see the SBS website.