We develop policies and deliver programs that encourage excellence in the arts, help to protect our cultural heritage and support public access to and participation in, arts and culture in Australia.

We do this through delivering strategic advice and policy development, effective program and grants management, regulatory management and collaborative stakeholder engagement.

This includes the development and implementation of Australia's 5-year National Cultural Policy—Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place.

  • NCP policy website

    A new National Cultural Policy

    The Australian Government released its landmark National Cultural Policy—Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place, on 30 January 2023. Revive is a 5-year plan to renew and revive Australia's arts, entertainment and cultural sector.

  • Creative Australia

    Creative Australia (formerly known as the Australia Council), is the Government’s principal arts investment and advisory body and is the centrepiece of Revive, the Government’s National Cultural Policy.

  • Arts and Disability

    The Australian Government is developing a new Arts and Disability Associated Plan. Click through for more information and resources.

  • Cultural heritage

    We protect national and international movable cultural heritage: we regulate exports and imports, and help museums, galleries and libraries acquire important cultural material. We help repatriate Indigenous ancestral remains and cultural material.

  • Indigenous arts and languages

    Language and art are essential to the wellbeing, culture and identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images and voices of deceased people.

  • Literature

    Australian literature is vital to our cultural and intellectual life and communicating Australian stories. We support the work of writers and celebrate their achievements.

  • Ministerial Intergovernmental Engagement

    Cultural Ministers agreed in 2022 to meet approximately twice a year on an ad hoc basis to discuss arts and cultural policy issues.

  • Museums, libraries and galleries

    Australia's collecting institutions protect and celebrate Australia's rich cultural heritage, share resources and mentor regional partners.

  • National Indigenous Visual Arts Action Plan 2021–25

    The National Indigenous Visual Arts Action Plan sets the Australian Government’s priorities to support the visual arts sector over the next five years.

  • Performing arts

    The Australian Government provides funding and support for Australia's vibrant performing arts sector.

  • Regional arts

    We support arts and cultural development in regional and remote communities to help overcome the obstacles presented by distance and population size.

  • Screen

    Australia's iconic screen industry is an important contributor to the nation's cultural life and showcases the talents and creativity of our actors, writers, producers, directors and post-production workers. We advise the Australian Government about how to support Australia’s screen industry.

  • Visual arts

    The government supports visual artists through a range of initiatives and schemes including Artbank, the Resale Royalty Scheme, the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program and the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy.