Australia’s National Cultural Policy sets the framework for how arts, culture and creative work are valued, funded and regulated. It influences everything from government investment and cultural infrastructure to the pay, conditions and career sustainability of creative workers across the country – and should therefore also reflect the nature of our modern society.

The current policy, Revive, runs until January 2028 and is now entering a critical review period. Over the next 18 months, the Australian Government will consult on what comes next, creating a rare opportunity for creative workers to influence national decision making about the future of arts and culture in Australia.

We are campaigning to ensure the next National Cultural Policy delivers real, practical improvements for the people who make culture possible – and to ensure it celebrates the breadth of Australian stories and modern society.

Why this matters

For too long, many people working in the arts and cultural sectors have faced systemic challenges, including low and insecure pay, diminishing public funding, and barriers that limit who gets to participate and whose stories are supported.

The next National Cultural Policy must address these issues head‑on. It needs to:

• Properly recognise creative workers and their value to the arts
• Improve pay, conditions and job security for creative workers
• Reduce barriers to participation to help support the next generation of talent
• Ensure audiences can meaningfully, and more easily, access Australian stories

This review is a crucial moment to advocate for a fair, safe and sustainable cultural sector, and to secure the future of an industry that Australia’s social and economic future relies on.

How you can get involved

We will be making a policy submission to the National Cultural Policy review, advocating for outcomes that strengthen cultural institutions and support artists and arts workers.

To inform our submission, complete the survey below which will enable members to:

• Share the key challenges you face in your work
• Identify priority reforms for the next National Cultural Policy
• Directly contribute to MEAA’s advocacy on pay, conditions and participation

We are seeking a diverse mix of voices across disciplines, locations, sectors and career stages to ensure our submission reflects the breadth of creative work in Australia.

Complete the survey and help shape national cultural policy, and the activity connected to it, from the ground up.