Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can only make one application for each funding round. This means you can apply for other Creative Australia funding rounds at the same time if they are open.
You can check what other rounds are currently open via this link: Investment and development.
You will still have time to complete and submit your grant report before the closing date of the round. If you have an overdue grant report at the time of the pre-eligibility check, you will not be eligible to apply for any further grants at Creative Australia.
We do not accept applications submitted via post. Any material received by post will not be assessed and will be returned to the sender. If you think you will have difficulty submitting your application online, please contact the Project Manager, Tammy Close to discuss your project idea and receive support at (02) 9215 9145 or tammy.close@creative.gov.au.
If you are unsure if your project idea fits this funding round, please contact the Project Manager, Tammy Close to discuss your project idea and receive support at (02) 9215 9145 or tammy.close@creative.gov.au.
We define a ‘group’ as two or more individuals who do not form a legally constituted organisation. This can include co-collaborators and collectives.
An ‘organisation’ is a legally constituted organisation that is registered or created by law. For example, incorporated associations, companies limited by guarantee or government statutory authorities are all defined as organisations.
Organisations that are not legally constituted are not eligible to apply for funding in grant categories that are open to organisations only. Organisations may be required to provide a certificate of incorporation or evidence of their current legal status. Funding programs for organisations are not intended for sole traders or partnerships.
Yes. Having your grant ‘auspiced’ or ‘administered’ means that you are nominating another person or entity to receive the grant funds on your behalf.
You must decide when applying whether you want your grant to be administered. If your application is successful and you change your mind, we can only change these arrangements in exceptional circumstances.
Whether or not your grant will be administered is not part of the First Nations Industry Advisors’ considerations. You do not need to provide a letter of confirmation from the entity that will administer your grant.
While we can support screen-based art, we do not generally support activities associated with short and feature films, television, or documentaries. Please contact your state Screen organisation or Screen Australia, the Federal Government’s primary agency for the production of Australian screen activity.
Applications that focus solely on academic studies or are for activities that are part of assessable coursework are unlikely to be successful with our assessment panels. Assessment panels are also unlikely to support applications requesting the costs of academic fees or courses.
If you wish to apply for study costs, explain to the panel how your project extends, or supplements, the course’s standard curriculum requirements. Also, bear in mind that your project will be assessed on the artistic merit of the work.
If you are applying for an art project grant for funding to complete a training program, course, workshop, or diploma, explain how doing so will impact positively on your career or practice.
We do not amend, correct, update, or change any part of your application once it has been submitted. However, if you receive additional confirmations for activities or artists after the closing date you may alert us to these, and we may bring them to the attention of the First Nations Industry Advisors at the assessment meeting. These updates could include confirmation that a proposed activity will take place, a partnership that has been secured, or funding from another source that has been confirmed or received.
Please email the Project Manager, Tammy Close with your name, Application ID, and additional confirmation details at tammy.close@creative.gov.au.
No, you must submit your application on the closing date stated in the Guidelines, 1 April 2025 at 3:00pm AEDT.
Administrative and technical support is only available during office hours (Monday-Friday) 9am to 5 pm AEDT. Late applications will not be accepted.
Please contact the Project Manager, Tammy Close before the closing date and time if you are having difficulty submitting your application at (02) 9215 9145 or tammy.close@creative.gov.au.
First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and Disability Project Fund can commence on or after 1 July 2025 and must be completed within 2 years from your proposed start date.
Creative Australia does not fund activities retrospectively. You may work on your project before then but make it clear in your application that you are not seeking funding support for any stage of the project occurring before 1 July 2025.
It is best to confirm creative artists or collaborations, partnerships, sources of cash or in-kind, or venue at the time that you apply.
If there are too many unconfirmed elements of your proposal, the assessors may question its viability.
The activities timeline and budget are an opportunity to show how well you’ve planned your project. Complete these as thoroughly as you can to show the assessors that your project is organised, well-planned, and viable.
Break your budget down, so that assessors can evaluate how realistic your budgeting is. Present large budget items in multiple lines and talk about the description next to each dollar ($) amount item.
Show each major project stage and milestone in your Project Timetable. This allows assessors to see how you plan to work and evaluate how achievable your objectives are.
Any costs that can be directly related to the project you are proposing are eligible. They may include artist fees, venue hire, consultation fees, childcare costs, travel costs, and costs associated with providing access for people with disability can all be included if they are directly related to your project.
Creative Australia expects to see artists paid for their work. There is no need to cut back on these expenses or forgo your own fees. We can’t tell you what rate of pay to use. You should consult the relevant representative association for guidance on this question. Whatever rate you use, be clear about how you have calculated your figures, and what rate of pay you are using, and refer to any standards or industry rates in your application.
The online application has a Support Material section which allows you to provide us with a URL linking to your support material. Alternatively, you can directly upload files.
You will receive an ‘Acknowledgement of submission’ email from us acknowledging our receipt of your online application. You should keep a copy of this email as proof of your submission.
There will be no further communication from us until a decision has been made on your application. We aim to notify you of the outcome of your application no later than 12 weeks after the published closing date for the grant round.
Yes, you can request that your application be withdrawn at any time up to the start of the assessment meeting. You will need to email us with your request, providing your six-digit application ID number. Please speak to the Project Manager, Tammy Close at (02) 9215 9145 or tammy.close@creative.gov.au.
All applications that are submitted to the First Nations Arts and Culture Strategic Funding will be assessed by a First Nations Panel.
The First Nations Industry Advisors are contacted to participate in the First Nations Panel for First Nations Arts and Culture Strategic Funding Arts. These First Nations Industry Advisors have experience and experience on specific art forms and provide a breadth of knowledge in those art form sectors. Some Industry Advisors can be the previous recipients of past funding rounds.
The First Nations Panel will assess your application on their Assessment Criteria of Project Quality, Project Impact, and Project Viability.
If you would like to express an interest (EOI) in becoming an Industry Advisor, please speak to Project Manager, Tammy Close at (02) 9215 9145 or tammy.close@creative.gov.au.
We aim to notify you of the outcome of your application no later than 12 weeks after the published closing date for the grant round.
You will receive your grant payment within two weeks of accepting your funding agreement.
Grants may be considered part of your income in a financial year and may be subject to tax. You must determine your taxation liabilities. We suggest you consult your financial adviser or contact the Australian Taxation Office.
Yes, if you have been notified that your application was unsuccessful, you can request feedback on your application. Please contact the Project Manager, Tammy Close at (02) 9215 9145 or tammy.close@creative.gov.au.