Idris Elba once said, “The role of my agent has just been to get me in the room”. An agent can’t get you the job – that ultimately comes down to your talent and suitability for the role. But a good agent will hustle on your behalf, give you solid career advice, and make sure that you’re seen by the most in-demand directors and producers. Given all that, it’s no surprise that when it comes to awards season, many of the winners are keen to thank their agents.
When deciding on an agency, don’t just think about the ones with the starriest client lists. A smaller agency (or an up-and-coming agent at a more established company) may have more time to give you the kind of individual attention and advice you need early on in your career.
Read on for our pick of Australian acting agencies, spanning Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, with details of how to apply to their books.
Location: Sydney
Shanahan Management is one of the longest-running agencies in Australia. It was set up by Bill Shanahan in 1973 and today represents an impressively starry list of acting clients, as well as directors, writers, and other creatives. Think of the best-known Australian actors and the chances are high they’re represented by Shanahan. Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill (technically a New Zealander), Miranda Otto, Guy Pearce, Geoffrey Rush, Sarah Snook, and Hugo Weaving are just some of the actors on its books. It even represents some well-loved European talent, like Miriam Margolyes and Ronan Keating. The agency is headed up by Ann Churchill-Brown; its other agents are Simon Whipp and Alex Souvlis.
Submission policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot, and showreel via email.
Location: Sydney
United Management represents some of the top Australian acting talent, including Toni Collette (Muriel’s Wedding), David Lyons (ER, Seven Seconds), Ben Mendelsohn (Robin Hood, Bloodline) and Brendan Cowell (Avatar 2). The agency was set up in 2011 and is managed by agents Natasha Harrison, Lee-Anne Higgins, and Trish McAskill (as well as finance and business manager Catherine Handley). Harrison and Higgins were at the established agency Shanahan Management before going into business with McAskill. Its close ties with Hollywood mean that ambitious actors on its books aren’t limited to careers in Australia. And younger actors on its books, like Abbey Lee (Florida Man) and Alice Englert (The Serpent), have already secured additional representation in America and the UK. Both actors are represented by Hamilton Hodell in London and CAA in Los Angeles, and they’ve been cast in popular international series.
Submission policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot and showreel via email.
Location: Sydney
Despite being in operation for only a decade, Independent Management Company has become a leading agency in Australia. That’s perhaps not surprising given that its founders, Tracey Silvester and Theresa Huska, previously worked at the long-established RGM Artists and brought over some of their previous clients when they launched this new venture alongside theatre impresario Paul Dainty. Their current client list includes a number of in-demand young actors, including Olivia DeJonge (The Staircase, Elvis), Sophia Wilde (Talk to Me), and Devon Terrell, who played a young Barack Obama in the 2016 film Barry. They also represent more established talent, such as Christopher Egan (Dominion, Eragon)
Submission policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot, and showreel via email.
Location: Sydney
The agency, which was set up by Mark Morrissey, has been operating for over 30 years. It’s perhaps best known for launching the careers of the Hemsworth brothers Chris, Liam, and Luke. Other talent on its roster includes actor-singer Delta Goodrem, Craig Hall (King Kong), and Adam Garcia (Coyote Ugly). It also represents a number of presenters, voiceover artists, directors, and writers. Its core team is made up of Erin Keneally, Fleur Griffin, Michael Montgomery, and Lachlan Perry.
Submission policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot, and showreel via email.
Location: Sydney
Marquee Management has been helping its clients find acting work for two decades. Set up by David Sheridan (who previously worked at Morrissey Management and for the Australian Film Commission) and Matt Andrews, the company represents actors such as Ben Hall (Devil’s Playground), Gerry Lepkowski (The Death of Stalin), Kerry Armstrong (Lantana, Dynasty), and Robert Taylor (Longmire). In addition, it represents off-screen talent, including choreographers and directors, which is an advantage for any performers wishing to move into a career behind the camera.
Submission policy: Submissions are through an online form on the agency’s website. You need to select ‘Representation’ from the drop-down menu and attach a CV, headshot, and showreel.
Location: Sydney
Meissner Management was set up by Sharron Meissner in 1995. Prior to launching this boutique agency, Meissner worked in media and advertising in New York, London, and Paris. Given her close ties to the film and TV industry in the US and UK, Meissner’s clients have gone on to appear in big-budget Hollywood films and major series (as well as productions closer to home). The agency’s roster of talent includes veterans of the stage and screen (such as Kate Fitzpatrick, whose career spans six decades) and young actors just starting in the industry. Other notable clients include Marcus Johnson (Spartacus, Power Rangers: Ninja Steel) and Kate Mulvany (Hunters, The Great Gatsby).
Submission policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot, and showreel via email.
Location: Sydney
This agency, which was set up by Lisa Mann in 1993, represents a select range of established and up-and-coming actors, including Michala Banas (Gold Diggers, Bad Mothers), Luke Arnold (Preppers), Yael Stone (Orange Is the New Black) and Alan Dale (Neighbours, Captain America: The Winter Soldier). LMCM also has a number of directors and writers on its books.
Submission policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot, and showreel via email.
Locations: Sydney and Melbourne (plus LA and London)
Ignite Elite Artists was set up in 2011 by Michelle Horner. In recent years, it has expanded its operations and now has offices in both London and LA, making it well placed to help its clients find work in the global film and TV world. Its Australian clients include Carrie Schroeder (I Am Frankie), Shane Emmett (Home and Away), Kim Ko (Bay of Fires), and Laila Thaker (Wentworth). And on the UK side, it represents Peter Andre and Amanda Clapham (Hollyoaks).
Submission policy: Apply through the form on the agency’s website with your headshot, CV, link to an online profile, and a showreel.
Locations: Sydney and Melbourne
Set up in 2001 by Helen Pandos, this boutique agency represents a small selection of actors and musical theatre performers. Pandos is based in Melbourne, while Belinda Blight is the senior agent at the Sydney office. The agency’s client list includes both rising stars and established performers. These include Cameron Rhodes (Housebound, The Brokenwood Mysteries), Harrison Gilbertson (Oppenheimer, Stephen King’s In the Tall Grass), Jade Baynes (Invisible Boys), Tom Budge (Candy, Son of a Gun) and John Tui (Moana).
Submission policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot, and showreel via email.
Location: Melbourne
Headed up by Marea Jablonski, this boutique agency represents both established and up-and-coming talent. It also has the longest established voiceover division in the country. Its roster of talent includes Neighbours veteran Stefan Dennis, and Lucy Schmidt, who appeared in the Australian version of The Office.
Submission policy: The agency will only consider actors who have professional credits or formal training. Apply via email with a cover letter, CV, professional headshot, and showreel and/or voice reel.
Location: Melbourne
The agency was originally set up by Catherine Poulton in 2002 under her name, but in 2023, it became CP Management after two of its long-standing agents, Cameron Hooper and Tania Patti, also became shareholders. Previously, Poulton worked in both casting and representation in Australia and the UK – and the agency retains strong ties with the British and US film and TV industry. Actors it represents include Toby Wallace, who played Steve Jones in Pistol, the 2022 mini-series about the Sex Pistols, Thom Green (Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn), and Chika Ikogwe (Heartbreak High, The Tourist).
Submission policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot, and showreel or self-tape via email.
Location: Melbourne
The agency was founded by Ian White, whose 30-year acting career included stage roles in the major musicals Cats and Les Misérables. As a result, the agency has a strong focus on musical theatre performers. IWM has also partnered with agencies in the UK, LA, and New York to form the London-based Collective Agents, which provides international representation for its performers. Its clients have appeared in productions of Sister Act, A Street Car Named Desire, Hairspray, and Dear Evan Hansen.
Submission policy: The agency’s books are currently closed. However, it still welcomes enquiries through its website. You need to include a CV, headshot, and link to a showreel.
Location: Melbourne
Set up in 1986, Aran Michael Management has been operating for almost 40 years and represents both screen and stage performers. Its star client is undoubtedly Margot Robbie (who is also represented by Creative Artists Agency). Other talent includes April Rose Pengilly, who had a long-running role on Neighbours, theatre star Kirby Burgess, Daniel MacPherson (Poker Face, Land of Bad), and Bert LaBonté (Animal Kingdom).
Submission policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot, and showreel via email.
Location: Brisbane
Since setting up her agency in 1995, Natalie Hall has nurtured the careers of many actors. Though the agency is based in Brisbane, it represents clients all over the country. Its list includes young, up-and-coming actors such as Daniel Wuol (Swift Street) and Danny Kim (Sting), as well as established performers like Arianthe Galani (Lambs of God) and Wayne Pygram (Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith).
Submission policy: Contact details can be found on its website.
Location: Brisbane
Kubler Auckland Management was set up in 1992 by Tony Auckland and Jenni Kubler. In addition to actors, it represents playwrights, screenwriters, directors, composers, and voiceover artists. Actors on its roster include Damien Garvey (The Artful Dodger), former Home and Away star Catherine Mack, and Kartanya Maynard (Heartbreak High, Gold Diggers).
Submission policy: Email with your CV, a headshot, a link to videos of your work, and details of your training.
Location: Perth
Set up in 1980 (initially under the name Frog Management), AMA is another longstanding acting agency. It represents both established and on-the-rise actors, as well as running a separate children’s and voiceover division. Its clients include Adelaide Kane (Cosmic Sin and season 19 of Grey’s Anatomy), Oscar Miller (Apples Never Fall, Before Dawn), and the Kenya-born Mararo Wangai (Taika Waititi’s remake of Time Bandits.
Submission policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot, and showreel via email.