When accepting a big award, actors often thank their agents. After all, it’s often an agent who turns a working actor into a star by putting their talent forward for coveted roles and getting them in the room with influential casting directors and producers.
It might be tempting to focus your sights on acting agents with the most impressive client lists, but bigger isn’t necessarily better. In fact, a smaller agency can provide more focused attention as you navigate the first steps in your career. Here’s a look at Sydney’s leading acting agencies—each working with established names and up-and-coming talent alike—and how to apply to join their books.
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United Management has an impressive client list, with stars like Toni Collette, Ben Mendelsohn, Jason Donovan, and Greta Scacchi on its books. It also nurtures emerging talent like rising actor-model Abbey Lee (“Florida Man”). It’s headed up by agents Natasha Harrison, Lee-Anne Higgins, and Trish McAskill (along with finance and business manager Catherine Handley) and has close ties to agents and casting directors in America. This means that rather than waiting for Hollywood to come knocking, United Management is able to introduce its young clients to industry players in America. Take up-and-coming star Rose Riley, for example. She was signed by US agent Jessica Morgulis in 2019 after her Australian agents set up a meeting.
Submission Policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot, and showreel via email.
It was this agency that nurtured the careers of Hollywood stars Chris and Liam Hemsworth. Other talent on its books includes Peter O’Brien (“Neighbours,” “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”), Craig Hall (“King Kong”), actor-singer Delta Goodrem, and Vietnamese-Australian Hoa Xuande, who appears in the 2024 critically acclaimed HBO series “The Sympathizer,” starring Robert Downey Jr.
Morrissey Management also represents presenters and has a production arm called First Option Pictures. The agency is led by Mark Morrissey; other agents include Michael Montgomery, Lachlan Parry, and Wenona Moss.
Submission Policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot, and showreel via email.
Established in 1973, Shanahan Management is another long-running and highly respected agency. Its impressive client list is a who’s-who of Australian acting talent that includes Joel Edgerton (“Exodus: Gods and Kings”), Bryan Brown (“Cocktail”), Abbie Cornish (“A Good Year”), Judy Davis (“Marie Antoinette,” “Husbands and Wives”), Isla Fisher (“The Wedding Crashers”), Sam Worthington (“Avatar”) and Rachel Griffiths (“Muriel’s Wedding”). In addition to actors, Shanahan represents directors, writers, and other creatives. It’s headed by Ann Churchill-Brown; the actors’ agents are Simon Whipp, Alex Souvlis, and Jessie Whipp.
Submission Policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot, and showreel via email.
Set up by Lisa Mann in 1993, this agency manages a range of creatives, including writers and directors. Actors on their books include comedian, actor, and online sensation) Celeste Barber, Yael Stone (“Orange Is the New Black”), Bruce Spence (“Dark City,” “Mad Max 2”), Jane Allsop (“The Slap,” “Rake”), and Alan Dale (“Neighbours,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”).
Submission Policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot, and showreel via email.
Since David Sheridan and Matt Andrews set up Marquee Management in 2004, it has grown to be a leading agency in Australia. It represents actors including Kerry Armstrong (“Lantana,” “Dynasty”), Raechelle Banno (“Home and Away,” “The Ruby Landry Saga”), Caroline Brazier (“Rake,” “Mystery Road: Origin”), Max Brown (“The Gloaming,” “Glitch”), and Rachael Taylor (“Transformers,” “See No Evil”). Its client list also includes some off-screen talent, including choreographers and directors.
Submission Policy: Submissions are through an online form on the agency’s website. Select Representation from the drop-down menu and attach a current headshot, CV, and showreel.
IMC is another relative newcomer. Former RGM agents Tracey Silvester and Theresa Huska joined forces with Paul Dainty in 2014 to set up this new agency, bringing over some of their previous clients. Its current roster includes Eliza Scanlen (“Sharp Objects,” “Little Women”), Jada Alberts (“The Stranger,” “Mystery Road”), Olivia DeJonge (“Elvis,” “The Society”), and Christopher Egan (“Dominion,” “Eragon”).
Submission Policy: Actors should send a CV, headshot, and showreel via email.
Set up by Sharon Meissner in 1995, Meissner Management is a boutique agency with an ethos of discovering and supporting actors. Take Isabel Lucas, for example. First spotted by Sharon Meissner in a market, she went on to be cast in the popular soap “Home and Away.” Lucas later made the move to Hollywood, appearing in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and the Steven Spielberg TV series “The Pacific.” The agency has close connections to counterparts working in the UK, US, and European film and TV industries. Current clients include Kate Mulvany (“Hunters,” “The Great Gatsby”), Otis Dhanji (“Aquaman,” “Talk to Me”), and Marcus Johnson (“Spartacus,” “Power Rangers: Ninja Steel”).
Submission Policy: Actors should send their CV and headshot via email.
Sophie Jermyn Management represents a number of up-and-coming actors, including Daniel Webber (“Billy the Kid,” “The Dirt”), Ariel Donoghue (“Wolf Like Me”), and CJ Bloomfield (“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”). Set up in 2003, it also represents writers, directors, presenters, and influencers.
Submission Policy: Actors should contact the agency via email.
Though only founded in 2017, the X Division is fast becoming a powerful force in the Australian film and TV industries, with two of its clients making the Casting Guild of Australia’s 2023 list of rising stars: Carlos Sanson Jr (“Bump,” “Paper Dolls”) and Raj Labade (“The Office Australia”). It also has a digital division for content creators and influencers. Set up by Stephen Harmon and James Prier, this newbie agency now has offices in both Sydney and Los Angeles.
Submission Policy: Industry referral only.
CBM Management has close ties with casting directors, studios, and networks in the international film and TV industries. One of its clients, Emma Harvie (“Colin from Accounts”), made the Casting Guild of Australia’s 2023 list of rising stars. Other actors they represent include Brodie Townsend (“Heartbreak High”), Jess Bush (“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” and Essie Randles (“Apples Never Fall”).
Submission Policy: Actors should contact the agency via email.
