Australian Government to Invest $1.1 Billion in Arts and Cultural Sector

Australia’s arts and cultural sector is receiving a significant boost through the latest budget.

Announced overnight, the Albanese Labor Government is investing $1.1 billion in the country’s arts and cultural sector in 2026-27.

This funding builds on the investment previously provided under Revive, Australia’s National Cultural Policy.

As part of the 2026-27 budget, the government is funding critical new measures totalling $22.9 million in the following areas:

• $10.1 million over two years for the Australian National Maritime Museum to “effect urgent repairs to address critical public safety concerns with its wharves which allow it to display its heritage fleet.”
• $9.9 million over three years for the National Film and Sound Archive to “redevelop its specialist storage facility for nitrate-based cultural material.”
• $3.0 million to support commemorative activities marking the centenary of the opening of Old Parliament House. The commemoration will “acknowledge the history of Australian democracy and the significance of socially inclusive practices and institutions.”

The government is investing $4.6 billion in Australia’s arts and cultural sector across the budget and forward estimates, including $1.1 billion in 2026-27.

Ongoing initiatives still being supported by the governments includes the following:

• Creative Australia to “support Australian artists and arts organisations to create and present art that is accessed by audiences across Australia and overseas.”
• Screen industry support through direct funding to the Screen Australia, Ausfilm and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.
• National Collecting Institutions including the Australian National Maritime Museum, Museum of Australian Democracy (OPH), National Archives of Australia, National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, National Gallery of Australia, National Library of Australia, National Museum of Australia and National Portrait Gallery of Australia.
• Indigenous Arts, Languages and Repatriation including the Indigenous Languages and Arts program, Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program and Indigenous Repatriation program.
• National Arts Training Organisations including the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, the Australian Ballet School, Australian National Academy of Music, Australian Youth Orchestra, Flying Fruit Fly Circus, NAISDA Dance College, National Institute of Circus Arts and National Institute of Dramatic Art.
• Lending Right Schemes including the Educational Lending Right and Public Lending Right to “ensure authors are paid for the free use of their work in Australian public and educational lending libraries.”
• Regional Arts including the Regional Arts Fund, Visions of Australia and Festivals Australia.
• Arts and Cultural Development including the International Cultural Diplomacy Arts Fund.
• Collections including the Bundanon Trust, Australian Government International Exhibitions Insurance program, National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach program and Distributed National Collections program and National Cultural Heritage Account.

Find out more about the latest budget here.

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