Published on 7 Oct 2025

Lapsing program evaluation of Melbourne Screen Hub

Projects
9 FIONA 1x1 PORTRAIT 1
Dr Fiona Scott-Melton Performance + Impact Lead (NZ) Contact me
23 PAUL 1x1 PORTRAIT 1
Paul Houliston Senior Partner Contact me

Melbourne Screen Hub was first established in 2021 with $1.3m of funding support from the Victorian Government through VicScreen. With funding nearing completion, the MSH needed a lapsing program evaluation to secure future investment. Allen + Clarke conducted a rapid yet thorough evaluation, which assessed whether the MSH had supported VictScreen’s strategic goals and contributed to competitiveness.

Our evaluation found the centralised facility created greater visibility for Victoria's film industry boosting competitiveness for screen productions. Despite challenges, service delivery remained efficient with income exceeding forecasts and consistently high occupancy. 

Our evaluation contributed to additional funding approval, enabling the MSH’s expansion to support over 50 film and television businesses and attract major productions like Liam Neeson’s Mongoose.

Exploring the impact of investment in the Victorian screen industry

Although the Victorian screen industry had experienced rapid growth and expansion over the past ten years, there had also been significant disruptions due to technology development, changes in how people created and consumed content and the impact of Covid-19. In November 2020, the Victorian Government announced it was investing $33.8 million to stimulate the Victorian screen industry. A core component of this package was a grant of $1.36 million over three-years ending in February 2024 that would establish Melbourne Screen Hub (the MSH) at premises in Yarraville.

In investing in the MSH, the aim was to provide a centralised facility for film and television businesses and professional services, helping nurture, support and grow the local industry. The MSH rapidly became a busy place, providing workspaces for production, art department, rehearsal spaces and much more to many local businesses. Also, providing support services such as an accredited Test & Tag Service for equipment, available both on-site and off-site that businesses could access as needed.

Coming towards the end of the three period and with aspirations for further funding that would support more growth, the MSH needed a lapsing program evaluation that would meet the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance requirements.

Tangled line drawing forming brain shape above hanging lightbulb
Single yellow lightbulb glowing on black cord
Resources Block
Healthcare worker and elderly man sharing a tablet moment on their porch, exemplifying supportive in-home care and digital inclusion.
Projects

Independent Evaluation of the Star Ratings for Residential Aged Care program

Read More
Healthcare provider offering supportive hand hold to patient
Projects

Evaluation of COVID+ Pathways Learning Network

Read More
Graduate smiling and applauding at university graduation ceremony
Projects

Evaluating the Napthine Measures for Regional Education Success

Read More

Guiding a first-time client through the evaluation process

The MSH was a small entity who had not experienced evaluations before. Our team were able to talk them through the process, ensuring they understood what was needed including the types of evidence required, to be able to answer the following standard lapsing evaluation questions:

  • Justification / problem - what is the evidence to support the continued need for the MSH, and what is the role for Government in delivering the program? 

  • Effectiveness - what is the evidence of the MSH's progress toward it stated objectives and expected outcomes? 

  • Funding / delivery - have the MSH's activities been delivered within its scope, budget, expected timeframe, and in line with appropriate governance and risk management practices? What were the challenges in delivery? 

  • Efficiency - has the department demonstrated efficiency in the delivery of the MSH and its activities? 

  • Risk - what would be the impact of ceasing funding for the MSH (e.g. service impact, jobs, community) and what strategies have been identified to minimise negative impacts? 

  • If funding is continued - reassess funding required to deliver the MSH and its activities. Does the initial funding allocated reflect the true cost required to deliver the program? 

  • If further funding was provided - what level of efficiencies could be realised? 

Colourful speech bubbles overlapping silhouettes in conversation
Colourful speech bubbles overlapping silhouettes in conversation

Find out how we can help.
Book a Discovery Session

Get clarity on your challenge with our free one-hour discovery session - no obligation, just practical insights on how we can help.

Conducting a small evaluation in a short timeframe

Our evaluation team brought their love of films and knowledge of how to do evaluations to facilitate a rapid assessment of the MSH, working collaboratively with the MSH and VicScreen throughout. Conducting the evaluation involved:

  • Reviewing more than 30 documents that included business cases, strategic documents, policies, progress reports and directors meeting minutes. 

  • Conducting four interviews including a small selection of businesses using the facility. 

  • Analysing the different evidence sources to make evaluative assessments. 

  • Writing a short, visually appealing report that set out the key findings and made a range of recommendations designed to promote and support future improvements. 

Hand holding red book with abstract yellow geometric shapes
Hands writing with pen overlaid with yellow geometric shape and black squiggles
The evaluation contributed to the MSH receiving additional funding, enabling their move to a larger site - now supporting over 50 film and television businesses.

The Impact

Findings from the evaluation established: 

  • The MSH was directly supporting Victoria's screen strategic goals - supporting industry growth and job creation. 

  • Centralised infrastructure and co-located workers were leading to greater visibility of the film industry, boosting competitiveness and attractiveness of making screen productions in Victoria. 

  • Despite some significant challenges, service delivery had been efficient - income exceeded forecasts, costs stayed below budget and occupancy remained exceptionally high. 

  • Expanding the MSH would enable more businesses to benefit from the efficiencies of co-location, helping lower production costs. 

  • Increasingly acting as a one-stop shop for producers, the MSH was streamlining access to key services, helping position Victoria as a leader in efficient, cost-effective film production. 

Interconnected coloured pathways forming abstract network diagram
Interconnected coloured pathways forming abstract network diagram