Our investment decisions are made on the basis of artistic or creative merit and impact. We draw on a network of industry experts, both external and internal to Creative Australia, to inform these decisions.

Importantly, our investment decision-making occurs at arm’s length from the Australian Government minister responsible for the arts. This means that the minister and government cannot tell us which artists or organisations are to receive investment/funding from Creative Australia.

It is Creative Australia’s responsibility to invest in people, artists and organisations that represent a range of voices, perspectives, and stories, which may challenge people’s views and beliefs. While these do not reflect the opinion of Creative Australia, they reflect our responsibility to uphold and promote freedom of expression in the arts.

Creative Australia also conducts and commissions research about arts and culture to evaluate the impact of its initiatives and better understand the needs of the diverse artists and creative workers we serve.  

We work closely with the Australian Government’s Office for the Arts (within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts) and state and territory governments’ creative industry and arts departments, to inform policy and develop co-investment frameworks to maximise impact.

We deliver in line with the functions set out in our establishing legislation, the Creative Australia Act 2023, and guided by the vision, pillars, and actions set out in the Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy: Revive, a place for every story, a story for every place. The accountable authority of Creative Australia is the Australia Council Board.