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The Government has welcomed the return of 11 First Nations ancestors from two collecting institutions in the United Kingdom.
At a special ceremony hosted in Oxford, United Kingdom, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History returned six ancestors, with three returning to their respective Traditional Custodians and three ancestors returned under Australian Government stewardship.
At the same ceremony the Pitt Rivers Museum returned two ancestors to their Traditional Custodians and three ancestors returned under Australian Government stewardship.
The Government will ensure the care and dignity of the six ancestors under its stewardship, while they are cared for closer to home.
Representatives of the University, Government and Community attended the ceremony, including Bathurst Local Aboriginal Land Council, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation, Ngarrindjeri Community and the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
The latest repatriation means that over 1,290 ancestors have been returned from the United Kingdom to Australia over the past 30 years.
The Australian Government is committed to securing the return of ancestors held overseas to their rightful homes.
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Latest news
Ancestral breastplate returned to Country
The 19th century First Nations breastplate is of cultural and historical significance for the Gundungurra people in southeastern New South Wales.
100-year-old steam engines return to Tasmania
A pair of Fowler Ploughing Steam Traction Engines, Type Z7 named ‘The Lion’ and ‘The Lioness’ have been acquired by Pearn’s Steam World Museum in Westbury, Tasmania.
Ancient ceramic vase returned to Italy
The Australian Government has returned a culturally significant object to the Government of the Italian Republic.
Piece of history returned to Country
A 19th century Aboriginal ancestral breastplate has been returned to Country, entrusted by the community to be held at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum.
Have your say
A new National Cultural Policy
Between 23 March 2026 and 24 May 2026, Australians were invited to share their views and help guide the next National Cultural Policy. Public submissions are being uploaded to this page as they're being reviewed by us. Read the public submissions.
Arts and Screen Employment Pathways Pilot Program
We invited feedback on the development of the new Arts and Screen Employment Pathways Pilot Program to support d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers. This consultation is closed.
Review of the Indigenous Art Code
A review of the Indigenous Art Code to strengthen the protections for Indigenous artists and consumers across the country. This consultation is closed.
Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place
After extensive national consultation, in 2023 we delivered a 5 year national cultural policy, Revive—A place for everyone story, a story for every place.
Latest consultations
Review of the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act
Shane Simpson AM finished a review of the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986 in 2015.
Funding programs
What's new
Getting the band together, but who pays their super?
Updated advice from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) on who pays super to workers in the music industry.
A new page for Lending Rights
New legislation for the Lending Rights schemes commenced on 1 October 2026.
Sharing the National Collection hits 2 million visitor milestone
The Sharing the National Collection program enables galleries around the country to borrow works from the national collection for long-term display.
Australia's cultural and creative activity continues to grow
New figures show cultural and creative activity contributed $70.3 billion to Australia's economy in 2024–25.
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Resale Royalty expands for Australian artists
Australian artists are set to benefit when their works are resold overseas, with international reciprocity being extended to a further 9 countries.
Follow our new Instagram channel @AusGovArts
We've launched our Office for the Arts Instagram channel to bring you the latest news and updates about Australian arts and culture.
Artist profile: Lauren Rogers on fake art’s cost to culture
Ngarabul and Torres Strait Islander artist Lauren Rogers talks about the inappropriate use of First Nations artwork and its cost to culture.
Support for Indigenous languages and arts activities
First Nations community organisations that run language and arts activities will share in $30 million through the Indigenous Languages and Arts (ILA) program.
Support for First Nations artists
First Nations-owned art centres, fairs, regional hubs and industry service organisations will share in $38 million through the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program.
Holey Dollar returned to Poland
A 200-year-old silver coin has been returned to the Government of Poland.
Australian talent shines on the world stage
Seven recent and upcoming creative projects are forging stronger ties between Australia and the world.
![Art technician Chas Glover and Tweed Regional Gallery Curator - Exhibitions Tina Wilson hanging Claude Monet's masterpiece 'Meules, milieu du jour [Haystacks, midday]', 1890, as part of the National Gallery of Australia's Sharing the National Collection initiative. Photo by Luke Marsden.](/sites/default/files/styles/civictheme_navigation_card/public/images/claude-monet-meules-milieu-du-jour-haystacks-midday-1890-839x410-png.png?h=8b37d352&itok=WMOGG8-9)
Revive hits two-year milestone
The landmark National Cultural Policy, now in it’s second year, is continuing to make major progress supporting Australian arts and culture.
Protecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts and crafts
The Australian Government has released its response to the Productivity Commission's study report into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts and crafts market.
Round 20 of Visions of Australia program open to applications
Australians in regional and remote areas will see imaginative exhibitions visit their communities once funding is awarded later this year.
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Joint ASAG release - Communique
Published: 22 Nov 2017 Australia and Singapore cultural leaders commit to more partnerships through collaborative works and exchange of knowledge through events and festivals in both countries. joint_asag_release_communique_0.docx (DOCX, 205.26 KB) …
PublicationLive Music Australia grant recipients—Round 2—2021
Published: 16 Jul 2021 The Live Music Australia program, administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, is a competitive grants opportunity for small to medium sized venues that support quality …
PublicationBuying legally—making sure it's above board
Published: 1 Aug 2022 Before buying cultural property do your research. Buying legally is your way to make sure it’s above board. This fact sheet tells you what you need to consider when you decide to buy a cultural object. …
Publication2020–21 funding recipients—Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) Program
Published: 24 Jul 2021 indigenous-visual-arts-industry-support-ivais-program-2020-21-july2021.docx (DOCX, 185.59 KB) indigenous-visual-arts-industry-support-ivais-program-2020-21-july2021.pdf (PDF, 716.31 …
PublicationPublic Lending Right Committee Annual Report 2016–17
Published: 24 Oct 2017 The report covers the 2016–17 financial year and is the 30 th annual report of the Public Lending Right Committee since the Act came into effect. 2016-17-plr-committee-annual-report.docx (DOCX, 1.22 MB) …
Publication2021–22 funding recipients—Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) Program
Published: 24 Jul 2021 indigenous-visual-arts-industry-support-ivais-program-2021-22-july2021.docx (DOCX, 169.83 KB) indigenous-visual-arts-industry-support-ivais-program-2021-22-july2021.pdf (PDF, 455.34 …
PublicationWhat's on: Summer 2023
Visit a National Collecting Institution this summer and school holidays. 21 Dec 2022 Brickwrecks exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Image credit: Rebecca Mansell. Escape the heat these school holidays and discover the beauty of …
NewsLocation Offset for large-budget film and television production in Australia—Application for Provisional Certificate of Eligibility
Published: 20 Oct 2017 Application made in accordance with Part 2 of the Location Offset Rules 2008 location-offset-large-budget-provisional-certificate-of-eligibility.docx (DOCX, 50.02 KB) …
PublicationRISE Fund grant recipients—Batch four summary of projects
Published: 30 Jul 2021 rise-fund-grant-recipients-batch-four_summary-of-projects.docx (DOCX, 156.18 KB) rise-fund-grant-recipients-batch-four_summary-of-projects.pdf (PDF, 340.43 …
PublicationLocation Offset for large-budget film and television production in Australia—Application for Certificate of Eligibility
Published: 20 Oct 2017 Application made in accordance with Subsection 376-230(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. location-offset-large-budget-application-certificate-of-eligibility.docx (DOCX, 61.83 KB) …
PublicationFunding and support program archive
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