Creative Australia accepts applications from practising artists and creative workers. Applications can be made by individuals, groups and organisations.

What is the definition of a practising artist or creative worker?

An artist is a person who creates art such as dance works, theatre, music, literature, visual art or experimental art. It is not necessary to regularly earn income from your practice. A creative worker is a person who works in the arts such as a cultural practitioner, editor, producer, curator or arts manager.

Individuals and groups

If you are applying as an individual or group, you must be a practising artist or creative worker and an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident. Some grants and opportunities may allow international individuals and groups to apply for projects that benefit Australian artists or their work. However, the contact person for group applications must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

A ‘group’ is defined as two or more individuals who do not form a legally constituted organisation. This can include co-collaborators and collectives. Groups are not eligible to apply to programs open only to organisations.

For more information, please see our applications FAQ and review the eligibility criteria for individual grants and opportunities.

Organisations

Organisations must be registered under 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 for funding to grants or opportunities open to organisations only.

When included in the eligibility criteria for specific grants, international organisations may apply for projects that benefit Australian artists or their work.

For more information, please see our applications FAQ and review the eligibility criteria for individual grants and opportunities.

Working with organisations in the Partnership Framework

If your project involves partnering with an organisation funded through the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework, please contact us before applying.

For more information, you can read more about the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework.

Trusts

Trusts are eligible to apply to Creative Australia. However, the status of the trustee determines whether the trust should apply as an organisation or individual.

If the trustee is an organisation, then the trust can only apply to categories open to organisations.

If the trustee(s) is an individual or a group of individuals, the trust can apply only to categories open to individuals and groups.

For more information, please see our applications FAQ and review the eligibility criteria for individual grants and opportunities.

First Nations

The First Nations panel will only assess applications for funding from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, groups and organisations.

First Nations organisations must have a governing body that includes a majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, groups and organisations are encouraged to apply to any relevant program delivered by Creative Australia.

Applications from other individuals, groups and organisations for activities that involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities must comply with the protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts.

For more information, please see First Nations Arts and review the eligibility criteria for individual grants and opportunities.

International artists, creative workers and arts organisations

For most grants and opportunities you need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Some grants and opportunities may allow international individuals, groups or organisations to apply for projects that benefit Australian artists or their work.  Please check the eligibility criteria for individual grants and opportunities or contact us to discuss before applying.