To respond to this Delivery Partner opportunity please ensure you refer to the service delivery statement below.

We strongly encourage you to contact us to discuss your proposal in the context of your circumstances. 

We also offer the following additional resources to these guidelines: 

• frequently asked questions (bottom of this page) 

• our guide to preparing a business plan.

Delivery Partner proposals are reviewed and decided upon through a single stage process. 

Organisations are invited to apply for up to $250,000 per annum for a total of $1,000,000 over the four-year investment period. 

Your Business Plan must cover the full four-year investment period of 2025-2028.  

Please note: Only one Delivery Partner investment will be offered for this opportunity. 

Creative Australia is seeking proposals to deliver the following services in support of the national dance sector.   

This provision of services can be delivered by a single organisation or by a consortium of organisations.  If a consortium applies, we will require only one proposal be submitted from a nominated lead agency and that agency would agree to contract expertise to manage, collate or provide key elements (standards, website) and to service the devolvement of funds and manage data, acquittals and liaise with Creative Australia. 

Creative Australia is seeking proposals that respond to the below services evidencing:   

1. how they will provide the services  

2. how the budget will be applied.   

Key information  

Organisations responding to the open proposal request for the following services will need to address the approved Service Delivery Statements in their Business Plan. You can find the template here.  

Organisations are invited to apply for up to $250,000 per annum for a total of $1,000,000 over the four-year investment period, 2025-28. 

Aligning with pillars 2, 3, 4 & 5 of the National Cultural Policy – A Place for Every Story; Centrality of the Artist; Strong Cultural Infrastructure; Engaging the Audience.  

Deliver the following national services in support of the national dance sector:  

1. Presentation Opportunities for Existing Work  

• develop a national network for the presentation of existing Australian dance work

• proposals could explore a range of programming opportunities, which might include: the presentation of works within existing dance programming, panel discussions, workshops, forums – and can include diverse partners (e.g., presentation partners, festivals, tertiary institutions)  

• presenting a variety of dance styles is encouraged (e.g., street dance, contemporary, participatory)  

• investment could be used annually or biannually depending on the proposed programs.

 2. Audience Development  

• develop and implement a strategic audience development and/or diversification plan

• strategies for the development of audiences may be integrated into plans for the presentation of existing works.

 3. Ability to leverage additional investment and partnerships  

• proposals must detail any additional investment to deliver these services from the organisations’ core budgets, local, state or federal funding agencies, private or philanthropic sources and partnerships. It should include projected income from ticket sales.

 4. Evaluation  

• this Delivery Partner will be expected to contribute to Creative Australia’s evaluation of the initiative over the period of investment.  Additional evaluation, within the allocated investment, is also desirable. 

Who can submit a proposal 

Only organisations may submit proposals for this opportunity.  

A consortium of organisations may submit a proposal in certain circumstances, but the proposal must be funded and contracted through one member of the consortium acting as ‘lead organisation’. 

Creative Australia requires that organisations be registered under Australian law (for example, incorporated association or company limited by guarantee) or created by law (for example, a government statutory authority). 

• organisations that are not legally constituted are not eligible to apply

• organisations that are registered as Trusts are not eligible to apply. 

Organisations may be required to provide a certificate of incorporation or evidence of their current legal status. 

Who can’t submit a proposal 

You can’t submit a proposal if: 

• you have an overdue grant report 

• you owe money to Creative Australia 

• your organisation is not registered in Australia 

• you are an individual or group.

What you can submit a proposal for 

• activities that respond to the scope of the Delivery Partner service statement for the opportunity for which we are seeking proposals.

What you can’t submit a proposal for 

You can’t submit a proposal for the following activities: 

• activities outside of the scope of the Delivery Partner service statement

• activities that do not involve or benefit Australian practicing artists, arts professionals, audiences or communities 

• activities that have already taken place 

• activities engaging with First Nations content, artists and communities that do not adhere to the Creative Australia  First Nations Cultural & Intellectual Property Protocols. 

Your application must comply with the following Protocols. We may contact you to request further information during the review process, or if approved, as a condition of our investment. 

Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts 

All proposals involving First Nations artists, communities or subject matter must adhere to these Protocols, provide evidence of this in their proposal and any supporting material. More information on the First Nations Protocols is available here. 

Commonwealth Child Safe Framework 

All approved proposals must comply with Australian law relating to employing or engaging people who work or volunteer with children, including working with children checks and mandatory reporting. Delivery Partners who provide services directly to children, or whose funded activities involve contact with children, will additionally be required to implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. 

Proposals are reviewed by expert industry representatives called Industry Advisors. 

Industry Advisors are experts in their field with relevant experience and knowledge of an arts practice or sector. Industry Advisors will make recommendations for Creative Australia to consider when making the final decisions on which proposals to approve.  

• proposals will be reviewed by Industry Advisors who will make recommendations for us to consider when making the final investment decisions for organisations

• the Industry Advisors will review proposals under arts practice areas relevant to their knowledge and experience

• Industry Advisors will be published on our website following notification. Further detail on Industry Advice can be found  here. 

We will review your proposal against three selection criteria listed below. 

Under each criterion are bullet points indicating what may be considered when reviewing your proposal. You do not need to respond to every bullet point listed. 

First Criterion 

Quality 

We will review the quality of your organisation’s services, program and business plan. We may consider your organisation’s track record and vision to support: 

• the potential quality of the services to be delivered as demonstrated in your response to the Delivery Partner Service Statement 

• the appropriateness of the submitted business plan as it relates to delivery of the services outlined in the Delivery Partner Service Statement 

• the diversity of stakeholders that may be involved in the delivery of services 

• the diversity of stakeholders that may be beneficiaries of the services to be provided.

Second Criterion 

Viability 

We will review your organisation’s track record of delivery, and capacity to deliver its vision. We may consider: 

• value for money as evidenced in your proposed business plan and budget to deliver the services outlined in the Delivery Partner Service Statement 

• the experience of the people leading and governing your organisation 

• the financial health of your organisation, including the effective use of resources 

• the diversity and scale of income and co-funding you generate and receive 

• whether your work is supported by meaningful evaluation 

• how you demonstrate cultural competencies and adherence to relevant cultural protocols, particularly if your organisation works with diverse artists, audiences or communities. Where relevant, evidence that the  Protocols for First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts  have been adhered to

• factors that have impacted your organisation’s financial health, planning and priorities. 

You may wish to refer to our guide on  Essential Governance Practices. 

Third Criterion 

Alignment 

We will review how your organisation’s vision and business plan align with one or more of the strategic objectives in the current Creative Australia  Corporate Plan  2024-2028. The objectives are: 

• First Nations creativity is central to Australian arts and culture, supported by self-determined decision-making 

• a dynamic creative sector tells the many stories of contemporary Australia 

• our creative workforce have sustainable careers and control of their creative assets 

• arts and culture are valued and of value to all Australians 

• local and global audiences can engage in meaningful Australian creative experiences. 

Delivery Partner proposals must be submitted through our application management system by the advertised closing date: Tuesday 1 April 2025 at 3pm AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) 

To receive access the proposal form in our application management system please contact a member of our Multi-Year Investment Team: myi@creative.gov.au.  

In the proposal form, you will be asked to provide the following information: 

• the annual and total amount of investment as directed by Creative Australia for the Delivery Partner opportunity. 

• a brief summary of your organisation or consortium of organisations, including an outline of your core activity and the role you play in the arts sector (approx. 500 words) 

• a list of key staff in your organisation, with information on their demographic attributes roles and tenure 

• the members of your Board or governing committee (to whom the head of your organisation reports), with information on their demographic attributes, length of service and the structure and composition of the Board 

• whether you report your financial information on a calendar or financial year basis 

• a summary of your audited financial information for each of the previous two years, including assets, liabilities, total income and total expenditure* 

• projected high level income and expenditure for each year of the funding period offered through the Delivery Partner opportunity. 

*Organisations who report on a calendar year basis: 2022 and 2023. Organisations who report on a financial year basis: 2022/23 and 2023/24 

You will be asked to provide the following support material: 

1. Delivery Partner support material  

• Please provide up to 3 URLs (weblinks) that best demonstrate your organisation’s activity as it relates this Delivery Partner proposal. These URLS may include video, audio, images, audio and written material.  

2. Audited accounts or equivalent  

Please upload your latest two years of your audited accounts or equivalent. 

• Audited Accounts 2022 (or equivalent)
• Audited Accounts 2023 (or equivalent).

3. Business Plan 

A business plan that details how you will realise the deliverables related to this Delivery Partner proposal. Please click this link for guidance on a Business Plan. This can be uploaded as a written document (Word, PDF). The plan should be no more than 20 pages. You can find a Business Plan template here. 

Reporting requirements for approved Delivery Partners 

Organisations that are approved as Delivery Partners for Creative Australia should be aware of the reporting requirements associated with this investment. These requirements are not negotiable and will be part of the conditions of the funding agreement, so be sure to include the resources required to do so in your future budget projections. 

Payments to organisations in receipt of a Delivery Partner Investment are dependent on the provision to Creative Australia of financial reporting three times a year, as well as annual reports against Key Performance Indicators and on statistical information relating to the delivery of services. 

You must provide your organisation’s annual financial statements audited in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards by an Approved Auditor, and discloses separately the Delivery Partner funding as both income or unexpended grants. An Approved Auditor means a person who is: (a) registered as a company auditor under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), or a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, or of CPA Australia or the National Institute of Accountants; and (b) not a principal, member, shareholder, officer or employee of the Organisation or of a related body corporate as defined in Section 50 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). 

Data and outcomes reporting provides Creative Australia with valuable information to monitor the performance and activity of each organisation and ensures accountability for the investment of public funds. It also informs research and communication by Creative Australia, allowing us to demonstrate the impact of our funded organisations. 

To respond to this Delivery Partner opportunity please ensure you refer to the service delivery statement below. 

We strongly encourage you to contact us to discuss your proposal in the context of your circumstances. 

We also offer the following additional resources to these guidelines: 

• frequently asked questions (bottom of this page)
• our  guide  to preparing a business plan.

Delivery Partner proposals are reviewed and decided upon through a single stage process. 

Organisations are invited to apply for up to $280,000 per annum for a total of $1,120,000 over the four-year investment period.

Your Business Plan must cover the full four-year investment period of 2025-2028.  

Please note: Only one Delivery Partner investment will be offered for this opportunity. 

Creative Australia is seeking First Nations-led proposals to support specific services to First Nations writers and illustrators.   

This provision of services can be delivered by a single organisation or by a consortium of organisations. If a consortium applies, we will require only one proposal be submitted from a nominated lead agency and that agency would agree to contract expertise to manage, collate or provide key elements (standards, website) and to service the devolvement of funds and manage data, acquittals and liaise with Creative Australia.  

Creative Australia is seeking First Nations-led proposals that respond to the below services evidencing:   

1. how they will provide the services  

2. how the budget will be applied.   

Key information  

Organisations responding to the open proposal request for the following services will need to address the approved Service Delivery Statements in their Business Plan. You can find the template here.  

Organisations are invited to apply for up to $280,000 per annum for a total of $1,120,000 over the four-year investment period, 2025-28. 

Aligning with the first and fourth pillars of the National Cultural Policy – First Nations First; and Centrality of the Artist.  

Deliver First Nations led services to First Nations writers and illustrators and support a strong, connected and vibrant First Nations literature sector:  

• convene a biennial National First Nations writers and illustrators gathering ensuring attendance, accommodation, flights and catering is fully subsidised for attendees

• in alternate years deliver supplementary activities for First Nations writers and illustrators that provide opportunities for networking, connection, capacity building and craft development  

• profile the work of First Nations writers and illustrators nationally and internationally. e.g. International Network of First Nations Writers (Canada, NZ, UK)  

• build and maintain partnerships and provide guidance, advice and leadership within the literature sector.    

In addition to the mandatory deliverables listed above, other possible services and activities that may be considered for inclusion in your proposal, where appropriate, are:  

• connections between storytellers and writers  

• provide services to publishers and writers festivals including advice and referrals for guest speakers, sensitivity readers and contributors  

• collaboration with Australian Publishers Association, Australian Society of Authors and other key literary organisations where relevant.  

Who can submit a proposal 

Only organisations may submit proposals for this opportunity.  

A consortium of organisations may submit a proposal in certain circumstances, but the proposal must be funded and contracted through one member of the consortium acting as ‘lead organisation’. 

Proposals for this opportunity must come from First Nations-led organisations. For an organisation to be eligible for this opportunity, the majority of their governing body and senior management must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. 

Creative Australia requires that organisations be registered under Australian law (for example, incorporated association or company limited by guarantee) or created by law (for example, a government statutory authority). 

• Organisations that are not legally constituted are not eligible to apply. 

• Organisations that are registered as Trusts are not eligible to apply. 

Organisations may be required to provide a certificate of incorporation or evidence of their current legal status. 

Who can’t submit a proposal 

You can’t submit a proposal if: 

• you have an overdue grant report 

• you owe money to Creative Australia 

• your organisation is not registered in Australia 

• you are an individual or group.

What you can submit a proposal for 

• activities that respond to the scope of the Delivery Partner service statement for the opportunity for which we are seeking proposals.  

What you can’t submit a proposal for 

You can’t submit a proposal for the following activities: 

• activities outside of the scope of the Delivery Partner service statement

• activities that do not involve or benefit Australian practicing artists, arts professionals, audiences or communities 

• activities that have already taken place 

• activities engaging with First Nations content, artists and communities that do not adhere to the Creative Australia First Nations Cultural & Intellectual Property Protocols. 

Your application must comply with the following Protocols. We may contact you to request further information during the review process, or if approved, as a condition of our investment. 

Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts 

All proposals involving First Nations artists, communities or subject matter must adhere to these Protocols, provide evidence of this in their proposal and any supporting material.  More information on the First Nations Protocols is available here. 

Commonwealth Child Safe Framework 

All approved proposals must comply with Australian law relating to employing or engaging people who work or volunteer with children, including working with children checks and mandatory reporting. Delivery Partners who provide services directly to children, or whose funded activities involve contact with children, will additionally be required to implement the  National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. 

Proposals are reviewed by expert industry representatives called Industry Advisors. 

Industry Advisors are experts in their field with relevant experience and knowledge of an arts practice or sector. Industry Advisors will make recommendations for Creative Australia to consider when making the final decisions on which proposals to approve.  

• proposals will be reviewed by Industry Advisors who will make recommendations for us to consider when making the final investment decisions for organisations

• the Industry Advisors will review proposals under arts practice areas relevant to their knowledge and experience

• Industry Advisors will be published on our website following notification. Further detail on Industry Advice can be found  here. 

We will review your proposal against three selection criteria listed below. 

Under each criterion are bullet points indicating what may be considered when reviewing your proposal. You do not need to respond to every bullet point listed. 

First Criterion 

Quality 

We will review the quality of your organisation’s services, program and business plan. We may consider your organisation’s track record and vision to support: 

• the potential quality of the services to be delivered as demonstrated in your response to the Delivery Partner Service Statement 

• the appropriateness of the submitted business plan as it relates to delivery of the services outlined in the Delivery Partner Service Statement 

• the diversity of stakeholders that may be involved in the delivery of services 

• the diversity of stakeholders that may be beneficiaries of the services to be provided 

Second Criterion 

Viability 

We will review your organisation’s track record of delivery, and capacity to deliver its vision. We may consider: 

• value for money as evidenced in your proposed business plan and budget to deliver the services outlined in the Delivery Partner Service Statement 

• the experience of the people leading and governing your organisation 

• the financial health of your organisation, including the effective use of resources 

• the diversity and scale of income and co-funding you generate and receive 

• whether your work is supported by meaningful evaluation 

• how you demonstrate cultural competencies and adherence to relevant cultural protocols, particularly if your organisation works with diverse artists, audiences or communities. Where relevant, evidence that the Protocols for First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts have been adhered to 

• factors that have impacted your organisation’s financial health, planning and priorities. 

You may wish to refer to our guide on Essential Governance Practices. 

Third Criterion 

Alignment 

We will review how your organisation’s vision and business plan align with one or more of the strategic objectives in the current Creative Australia  Corporate Plan  2024-2028. The objectives are: 

• First Nations creativity is central to Australian arts and culture, supported by self-determined decision-making 

• A dynamic creative sector tells the many stories of contemporary Australia 

• Our creative workforce have sustainable careers and control of their creative assets 

• Arts and culture are valued and of value to all Australians 

• Local and global audiences can engage in meaningful Australian creative experiences. 

Delivery Partner proposals must be submitted through our application management system by the advertised closing date: Tuesday 1 April 2025 at 3pm AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) 

To receive access the proposal form in our application management system please contact a member of our Multi-Year Investment Team: myi@creative.gov.au.  

In the proposal form, you will be asked to provide the following information: 

• the annual and total amount of investment as directed by Creative Australia for the Delivery Partner opportunity

• a brief summary of your organisation or consortium of organisations, including an outline of your core activity and the role you play in the arts sector (approx. 500 words) 

• a list of key staff in your organisation, with information on their demographic attributes roles and tenure 

• the members of your Board or governing committee (to whom the head of your organisation reports), with information on their demographic attributes, length of service and the structure and composition of the Board 

• whether you report your financial information on a calendar or financial year basis 

• a summary of your audited financial information for each of the previous two years, including assets, liabilities, total income and total expenditure* 

• projected high level income and expenditure for each year of the funding period offered through the Delivery Partner opportunity. 

*Organisations who report on a calendar year basis: 2022 and 2023. Organisations who report on a financial year basis: 2022/23 and 2023/24.

You will be asked to provide the following support material: 

1. Delivery Partner support material  

• Please provide up to 3 URLs (weblinks) that best demonstrate your organisation’s activity as it relates this Delivery Partner proposal. These URLS may include video, audio, images, audio and written material.  

2. Audited accounts or equivalent  

Please upload your latest two years of your audited accounts or equivalent. 

• Audited Accounts 2022 (or equivalent) 

• Audited Accounts 2023 (or equivalent)

 3. Business Plan 

• A business plan that details how you will realise the deliverables related to this Delivery Partner proposal. Please click this link for guidance on a Business Plan. This can be uploaded as a written document (Word, PDF). The plan should be no more than 20 pages. You can find a Business Plan template here. 

Reporting requirements for approved Delivery Partners 

Organisations that are approved as Delivery Partners for Creative Australia should be aware of the reporting requirements associated with this investment. These requirements are not negotiable and will be part of the conditions of the funding agreement, so be sure to include the resources required to do so in your future budget projections. 

Payments to organisations in receipt of a Delivery Partner Investment are dependent on the provision to Creative Australia of financial reporting three times a year, as well as annual reports against Key Performance Indicators and on statistical information relating to the delivery of services. 

You must provide your organisation’s annual financial statements audited in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards by an Approved Auditor, and discloses separately the Delivery Partner funding as both income or unexpended grants. An Approved Auditor means a person who is: (a) registered as a company auditor under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), or a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, or of CPA Australia or the National Institute of Accountants; and (b) not a principal, member, shareholder, officer or employee of the Organisation or of a related body corporate as defined in Section 50 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). 

Data and outcomes reporting provides Creative Australia with valuable information to monitor the performance and activity of each organisation and ensures accountability for the investment of public funds. It also informs research and communication by Creative Australia, allowing us to demonstrate the impact of our funded organisations.