Peer assessors

A peer assessor is anyone who has sufficient knowledge or experience of the arts sector to make a fair and informed assessment of applications for funding. This knowledge and experience may come from being a practising artist, creative worker, or industry expert in one or more art forms.

Peer assessors serve for a three-year term. Our current pool of assessors runs from the start of 2025 until the end of 2027.

We expect to open applications for the next Pool of Peers 2028-2030 in 2027. To register your interest before then or to find out about becoming an industry advisor, please email assessment@creative.gov.au or call (02) 9215 9000. 
 

Peer Handbook

The Peer Handbook outlines the roles and responsibilities of a Creative Australia peer assessor.

View Peer Handbook

Assessment panels

Creative Australia has ten peer assessment panels: First Nations, arts and disability, community arts and cultural development, dance, experimental and emerging arts, literature, multi-arts, music, theatre, and visual arts.

Read more about our assessment panels. 

You may nominate up to three panels in your application that best match your expertise. You can only submit one application.

Government touring initiatives

Creative Australia also administers government initiatives that support touring to regional and remote areas, including the Contemporary Music Touring Program and Playing Australia.

If you believe your experience is suitable you can nominate to assess for these panels in your application.

How are peer assessors chosen?

Creative Australia receives many more highly suitable applications to each 3-year term of the pool of peers than there are opportunities.

Some art form areas and locations attract a particularly high volume of applications to the pool of peers assessors.

Creative Australia staff review applications and shortlist a pool of peers with the skills and knowledge to assess applications to our grant programs.

We consider the balance of representation across all areas, including location and art form, when shortlisting peers.

Creative Australia staff will:

• review applications
• shortlist a pool of peers with skills and knowledge best suited to assess our investment programs
• recommend that the Creative Australia Nominations and Appointments Committee and Board appoint the shortlist.

Creative Australia is overseen by the Australia Council Board, which formally approves each pool of peers to their 3-year term.

Industry advisors

Industry advice is another assessment model we use at Creative Australia. Industry advisors assess targeted opportunities and awards, advising Creative Australia staff on the most competitive applications based on a deep, practical understanding of their field. Creative Australia staff, and in some cases the Australia Council Board (which overseas Creative Australia) or a co-investment partner determine which applications will be supported based on this advice.

Eligibility

The opportunity to become a peer assessor or industry advisor is open to:

• Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents
• people who are practising artists, creative workers, or advisors to the arts industry
• people with an in-depth understanding of the arts sector and current art form practice, including international trends and markets, or with specialist knowledge of an area of arts development or capability building.

Diversity

Creative Australia is committed to increasing the diversity of our pool of peer assessors and industry advisors. Applications from First Nations people, d/Deaf and disabled people and people based in regional and remote Australia are greatly needed on all our panels. We also strongly encourage applications from younger people, older people, as well as people who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse.

Apply to become a peer assessor or industry advisor

Become a peer assessor

Applications to become a peer assessor are currently closed.

We expect to open applications for the next Pool of Peers 2028-2030 in 2027. To register your interest before then, please email assessment@creative.gov.au or call (02) 9215 9000.

Become an industry advisor

There are several ways to become an industry advisor. You can indicate your interest through the peer assessor application process or you can register your interest in becoming and industry advisor by emailing assessment@creative.gov.au or calling (02) 9215 9000.

Accessibility

Our Assessment team is committed to supporting our peer assessors and industry advisors to enable everyone to participate.

Every situation is different. Please see our resources for assessors on accessibility and our general advice on accessibility.

We encourage peer assessors and industry advisors to discuss specific needs with our team by emailing assessment@creative.gov.au or calling (02) 9215 9000. If you need help to speak or listen use the National Relay Service.

FAQ for assessors

What is the time commitment if my application is successful?

The term for a peer assessor is three years. The current term began at the start of 2025 until the end of 2027, applications for the next term will open in 2027. It’s up to you to decide whether you’re available to take part each time you’re called upon.

While peers are in the pool, peers can expect to be invited to participate in one to six assessment meetings.

Depending on the panel, peers will assess between 20–130 applications.

We aim to allow peers 3–6 weeks to read and score the applications.

One application can take 15–30 minutes to read and score. Please note this will vary depending on your reading pace and working style. Peers become more adept the more meetings they participate in, as you grow more familiar with the criteria, guidelines and process.

All meetings are held online using Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

Our interviews with previous peers describe the time commitment required to be a peer assessor.

For more information on workload, please refer to the Peer Handbook.

How are peer assessors paid?

Peer fees are determined based on the number of applications assessed plus the length of the meeting.

We pay superannuation in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992.

Will I receive any training?

We don’t provide formal training. However, peers are offered a technical induction to help navigate our online application management system and the Microsoft Teams program, which is where the online assessment meeting will take place. Peers also attend a pre-meeting group induction with their fellow peers and Creative Australia staff. You will be paid to attend this meeting.

We will provide a scoring guide for the category you are assessing, a step-by-step guide for using our application management system, as well as guidance around protocols and other supporting information as required.

Your Assessment Officer will be in contact with you to talk through your role, these resources, and support you through the process.

Can I apply if I live overseas?

If you’re based overseas, you need to be an Australian citizen or resident and have a current understanding of the Australian creative sector. You need to be able to attend meetings in Australian Eastern Time (AET). We encourage you to chat with us before applying.

Can I apply if I am under 30?

Absolutely. We welcome applications from younger people with an in-depth understanding of an art form. Your perspective is vital to a balanced panel.

What happens after I apply?

Once you submit your application, we will send you an email confirming we have received your application.

We will notify you of the outcome of your application by email within twelve weeks.

Does being a peer assessor or industry advisor prevent me from applying for any Creative Australia grant programs?

No, however you will not be able to sit on the panel you have submitted an application to.

Where are assessment meetings held?

Assessment meetings are held online using Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

What if my application is unsuccessful?

Creative Australia receives many more highly suitable applications to the Pool of Peers than there are opportunities.

Some art form areas and locations attract a particularly high volume of applications to the pool of peers.

We consider the balance of representation across all areas, including location and art form, when shortlisting peers.

If you are not selected as a peer in the next pool, there may be an opportunity for you to assess as an industry advisor.