Arts and disability peak organisations work to increase opportunities and access to the arts for people with disability as artists, arts workers, participants and audiences. The state and territory peak organisations for arts and disability are listed below.
This page has resources that may assist you with finding training, employment and business supports.
Creative Workplaces was established for artists, arts workers and arts organisations, including the screen sector, to promote and enable fair, safe and respectful workplaces in the arts and cultural sector. Creative Workplaces recognises artists as both creatives and workers.
You can find out more about Creative Workplaces using the link above, or you can email workplaces@creative.gov.au
Department of Social Services: Job Access
A new specialist disability employment program is commencing from 1 July 2025. The new program will remove access barriers by expanding eligibility, which will include volunteer entrants, improve the quality of services, and provide tailored and flexible support that reflects individuals’ diverse pathways to finding and retaining employment. We will update this page as more information becomes available.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website has resources to assist with training, up skilling and employment opportunities as well as programs that support business development.
Accessible events, venues and workplaces mean people with disability can fully participate in the cultural life of the community, enjoy the arts, and pursue creative and cultural practice and employment. Explore the links on this page to find accessible events near you and to learn more about accessibility in the arts and cultural sector.
You can search for, or register accessible events in your local area using Choose Art. Choose Art is the national accessible directory of inclusive and accessible arts activities, events and opportunities it is designed and developed for, and by people with disability.
The National Companion Card brings together state and territory programs so that eligible people with disability who require attendant care support can participate at venues and activities without incurring the cost of a second ticket for their companion.
States and territories are responsible for issuing Companion Cards. You can find out more at National Companion Card
Australian Disability Network is Australia’s peak body helping employers to build the confidence and capability to welcome and include people with disability as employees and customers. Find out more using this link Australian Disability Network
Arts Access Victoria has an extensive library of free fact sheets and resources on accessibility and inclusive arts practice. They also offer training and consultations to support organisations develop Disability Action Plans and promote best practice in access and inclusion in all areas. You can find out more by going to their website at this link Arts Access Victoria
Accessible Arts NSW offer a wide range of training courses from broader Disability Confidence training to more specific workshops on Accessible Festivals and Events, Accessible Exhibition Design and Access Riders for Artists and Arts Workers. All the details can be found on the website at this link Accessible Arts
The Office for the Arts will continue to add new resources when they are available. Let us know what resources you would like to see through our feedback form, or you can email us at arts.disability@arts.gov.au.
Update 2 July 2025 – Expression of Interest - Implementation Advisory Group for Equity: the Arts and Disability Associated Plan
There was a tremendous response to the call for Expressions of Interest for the Implementation Advisory Group.
All Expressions of Interest have been reviewed and are currently in the process of being shortlisted.
All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their Expression of Interest in August.
Please contact Arts.Disability@arts.gov.au with any questions.
Equity: the Arts and Disability Associated Plan (the Plan) was released on 14 November 2024. The Plan is a four-year roadmap of activities to build the foundations for equity for artists, arts workers and audiences with disability across Australia, with an $8.1 million investment in actions to drive change.
More information on the Plan, and the Co‑Design Working Group of disabled artists and arts workers who informed its development can be found by clicking on the ‘Equity: the Arts and Disability Associated Plan' tile below.
You can also access a Webinar discussion on the Plan with representatives from Creative Australia, Office for the Arts and Screen Australia which was recorded for YouTube.
Keep an eye on our social media @AusGovArts or return to this page for updates on progress against the actions under the Plan.
We value your feedback! You can subscribe to our newsletter or leave feedback using our contact form or for general enquiries, you can reach us by email: arts.disability@arts.gov.au.
Artists and arts workers with disability, with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, assisted the Government in developing the Plan. They expressed the view that many people with disability in the arts and cultural sector prefer to use identity-first language to describe themselves.
However, language is always evolving and personal choices change over time. Some people may prefer person-first or different language to describe their experiences, or may not identify as a person with disability but rather as part of a cultural group.
To reflect and respect this feedback, we use identity-first language on this webpage and other communications about the Plan when referring to d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers, and person-first language when talking about disability for audiences and people in the wider community.
