55 Motion Picture and Sound Recording Activities
Subdivision page linking the underlying ANZSIC groups and classes for this part of the hierarchy.
Browse the next layer
Groups in Motion Picture and Sound Recording Activities
Compare the industry groups below before you open a class page. This is the cleanest place to separate similar retail, service or production families without jumping too early to the final code.
Groups
What this subdivision covers
ANZSIC subdivision 55 is the middle layer between the broad division and the more specific groups. It is useful when you want to understand the section of the economy without jumping straight to the final class code.
This is also where confusion often appears. Similar business types can sit in nearby groups, so using the subdivision page first makes the boundary clearer before you narrow the match further.
Subdivision facts
- Groups
- 2
- Classes
- 6
Class-level detail
Classes in Motion Picture and Sound Recording Activities
These are the final four-digit ANZSIC class pages in this subdivision. Each card uses the official class-level description and primary activities already parsed from the ABS material.
Motion Picture and Video Production
This class consists of units mainly engaged in producing motion pictures, videos and television programs or commercials.
- Motion picture production
- Television commercial production
- Television program production
Motion Picture and Video Distribution
This class consists of units mainly engaged in acquiring distribution rights and distributing motion pictures and videos.
- Film distribution
- Motion picture and video distribution
- Motion picture leasing
Motion Picture Exhibition
This class consists of units mainly engaged in screening motion pictures using a variety of visual media.
- Cinema operation
- Drive-in theatre operation
- Festival operation (exhibition of motion pictures)
Post-production Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Activities
This class consists of units mainly engaged in providing post-production services and other motion picture and video activities, including specialised motion picture or video post-production services such as editing, film/tape transfers, titling, subtitling, credits, closed captioning and computer-produced graphics, animation and special effects, as well as developing and processing motion picture film.
- Computer graphic, animation and special effect post-production service
- Developing and printing motion picture film
- Film or tape closed captioning
Music Publishing
This class consists of units mainly engaged in acquiring and registering copyrights for musical compositions and promoting and authorising the use of these compositions in recordings, radio, television, motion pictures, live performances, print, or other media.
- Authorising use of copyrighted musical composition
- Music book publishing
- Music book (bound sheet music) publishing
Music and Other Sound Recording Activities
This class consists of units mainly engaged in producing original (sound) master recordings such as tapes and CDs and releasing and distributing these sound recordings to wholesalers, retailers or directly to the public.
- Audio service (including for meetings and conferences)
- Producing pre-recorded radio programming
- Record distribution
Frequently asked questions
What does subdivision 55 add?
Motion Picture and Sound Recording Activities narrows the broad division into a more specific industry family. It is the level you use when you need more precision but are not yet at the final class.
Can I view the class pages directly from subdivision 55?
Yes. This page now shows both the groups and the class pages nested under them, so you can move straight to the final four-digit ANZSIC class when the subdivision is already correct.
Is the subdivision code the one used on forms?
Usually not. Most operational forms use the class-level code. The subdivision page is mainly for navigation and understanding the hierarchy.
How to use this page
If you know the division but not the exact group, this is the right stepping stone. It keeps the hierarchy readable and stops you from guessing the four-digit class too early.
For code selection work, move from subdivision to group and then confirm on the class page before you rely on the result for registration, reporting or taxonomy mapping.
Source and trust
- Official source
- ABS ANZSIC 2006 release
- Last reviewed
- 2026-04-17
This site is an independent reference resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the ABS, ATO or any Australian Government agency.
Please verify critical classification decisions with the official authority before using them for tax, payroll, licensing, immigration or compliance work.