StarNow Australia/NZ

StarNow Australia/NZ is the regional arm of the global StarNow platform, specifically tailored for the Australian and New Zealand entertainment markets where it has become one of the most widely recognized casting resources for emerging and mid-level performers. StarNow was originally founded in New Zealand, giving it deep roots in the Australasian creative community that predate its international expansion. The platform has served Australian and New Zealand actors, models, musicians, dancers, and other performers for over two decades, building a large user base in markets where professional casting infrastructure has historically been less developed than in the U.S. or UK. The platform was acquired by Backstage (Cast & Crew), but the Australia/NZ regional version maintains its local focus and continues to serve as many performers' primary casting tool in these markets. For actors in Australia and New Zealand, StarNow often represents the first step into the digital casting world, particularly for those who are not yet at the professional level where Showcast (Australia's professional equivalent of Casting Networks) becomes essential.

What makes StarNow Australia/NZ particularly important is its role as the most accessible casting platform in markets that have fewer professional casting infrastructure options than the U.S. or UK. While Australia has Showcast as its professional casting directory, and New Zealand has a smaller industry with fewer dedicated tools, StarNow fills the broad middle ground by serving performers at every level — from curious beginners to working professionals — across every performance discipline. The platform's coverage of the Australasian market includes local film and television productions, commercials, corporate videos, modeling work, music projects, and live performance opportunities. For New Zealand actors in particular, StarNow remains the single most relevant casting platform, as the Kiwi entertainment industry is smaller and does not have a dominant professional casting directory equivalent to Australia's Showcast or the UK's Spotlight. The multi-disciplinary nature of the platform means that performers who work across categories — acting, modeling, presenting, voice-over — can manage their casting presence in one place.

Getting started on StarNow Australia/NZ follows the same process as the global platform. You create a free account, build a profile with photos, a bio, your performance experience, special skills, and any demo reel or showreel materials. The registration is open to everyone regardless of experience level, training, or union membership. Free members can browse casting calls and apply for a limited number of opportunities per month, which is sufficient for testing the platform's relevance to your specific market and type. The search interface allows filtering by location (specific Australian states and New Zealand regions), performance category, and project type, helping you find locally relevant opportunities. Submissions are made directly through the platform, with your profile materials shared with the casting contact automatically. The platform sends notifications when new castings match your profile criteria, keeping you informed about relevant opportunities without requiring constant manual browsing.

The day-to-day experience of using StarNow Australia/NZ centers on checking new casting calls, applying for suitable opportunities, and maintaining an up-to-date profile. New listings are posted regularly across all performance categories, with the highest volume in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Brisbane. The platform's community features include profile views and messaging, creating some interaction between talent and casting professionals beyond formal submissions. Premium subscribers benefit from unlimited applications, enhanced visibility in searches, and priority placement, which can make a meaningful difference when popular listings attract dozens of submissions. The platform also functions as a talent directory that casting professionals can search, providing passive exposure even when you are not actively applying. For actors in regional areas outside major cities, StarNow's geographic filtering helps identify local opportunities while also revealing remote or self-tape castings that you can participate in regardless of location. The mobile experience is functional for browsing and basic interactions.

StarNow Australia/NZ's user base spans the full range of performers in the Australasian market, from complete beginners exploring a performance career for the first time to working professionals who use the platform alongside more professional tools like Showcast. The platform is particularly popular with emerging talent in their teens, twenties, and thirties who are building credits and gaining experience. Both union (MEAA in Australia) and non-union performers use the platform, with a heavier weighting toward non-union and emerging talent. The multi-disciplinary nature means you will find actors alongside models, musicians, dancers, presenters, and variety performers. The production side includes independent filmmakers, commercial casting directors, event organizers, content creators, and corporate video producers. New Zealand users represent a particularly important segment, as StarNow is often the primary or only casting platform available for the Kiwi market. Australian users tend to transition to Showcast as they become more established professionally, while maintaining StarNow for supplementary opportunities.

StarNow Australia/NZ operates on the same freemium model as the global platform. Free accounts allow you to create a profile, browse casting calls, and apply for a limited number of opportunities per month. Premium membership costs approximately A$9-12 per month (pricing may vary — check starnow.com.au for current rates), unlocking unlimited applications, enhanced profile features, priority placement in searches, and access to premium-only listings. The pricing is among the most affordable of any casting platform globally, reflecting the platform's commitment to accessibility for emerging performers. Annual subscription options are available at reduced per-month rates for those who plan to use the platform consistently. There are no per-application fees for either free or premium members. For Australian and New Zealand actors who are actively pursuing work, the premium subscription represents a modest investment that removes the application cap and improves visibility.

If you are an actor in Australia or New Zealand, StarNow should be one of the first platforms you set up, particularly if you are in the early stages of your career. It provides the broadest access to casting opportunities in the Australasian market and is the most accessible entry point regardless of your experience level. As you build credits and develop your career, plan to add Showcast if you are in Australia, as that is where professional casting directors do their primary work. New Zealand actors should maintain StarNow as a core platform given the limited alternatives in the Kiwi market. If the monthly application cap on the free tier is limiting your activity, the premium upgrade is affordable enough to justify. Complement your StarNow presence with agent representation as soon as your credits and training support it, as agents provide access to higher-caliber opportunities that are not posted on self-submission platforms.

Upload professional-quality photos to your StarNow profile even though the platform is beginner-friendly — well-lit, clear headshots immediately distinguish you from the majority of profiles that use casual snapshots. Fill out every field in your profile including skills, languages, accents, and physical stats, as casting professionals use these details when searching the talent database. Check the platform at least three times per week and apply promptly for relevant opportunities, as popular listings fill quickly. If you are in Australia, use StarNow for indie and emerging opportunities while simultaneously building your Showcast profile for professional casting access. Set location alerts for your specific city and surrounding areas to receive notifications for locally relevant castings. Use StarNow credits strategically on your resume — list the project name and your role, not the platform through which you found the opportunity, as this presents a more professional image to casting directors reviewing your CV.