A breakdown in negotiations between Australian performers and producers over the new film and television agreements could lead to strike action - but only a long-running dispute is likely to affect Australian films because of how few are heading into production.

Offshore films shooting in Australia are covered under a different agreement so are exempt.

The casts of three television series, however, have unanimously agreed to pursue industrial action and others will vote on the issue today and on Wednesday.

Under the law the earliest the strikes will occur will be July 15. Strike action last happened in 1994.

The Equity Section of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and the Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) have been in talks about the agreements since the previous ones expired on December 31.

Equity has presented a series of claims based on what it described as "the most extensive survey of performers ever undertaken" and most of the sticking points relate to long-form television drama.

In relation to film, Equity says that no matter how financially successful a film is, performers do not share in that success.

It wants producers restricted to only being able to buy four television runs over five years, the abolition of their ability to buy all rights in perpetuity, and a guaranteed residual introduced in the case of a US network sale.