Four Year Investment for Organisations operates on four-year cycles of investment – the latest being 2025-2028.

The process for applying to Four Year Investment occurs in two stages.

Stage One

Expression of Interest (EOI)

An open call is made for organisations to submit an EOI to be considered for Four Year Investment for Organisations.

Industry advisors review EOIs against three criteria:

1. Quality of artistic or cultural vision and achievements
2. Organisational capacity
3. Alignment with the strategic objectives of Creative Australia

Industry Advisors are experts in their field with relevant experience and knowledge of an arts practice or sector.

Applicants address the criteria in their responses to set questions. Financial and artistic support material submitted with the EOI is also used as part of the assessment process.

After receiving recommendations from Industry Advisors, Creative Australia staff develop a list of organisations to be invited to submit full applications in Stage 2. This final list of recommendations for Stage 2 is presented to the Board of the Australia Council for final endorsement.

Stage Two

Organisations recommended to apply for Stage 2 are then invited to submit full applications for investment.

Industry advisors review Stage 2 applications against three criteria:

1. Quality of artistic or cultural program and strategic plan
2. Organisational capacity
3. Alignment with the strategic objectives of Creative Australia.

Applicants submit a four-year strategic plan, artistic program, financial projections and their two most recent audits.

Applicants that are invited to apply for Stage 2 are advised of the investment amount they may apply for. This is based on the outcome of the review of their EOI. The investment level offered as an outcome of Stage 2 applications may still be lower than the amount advised.

Final recommendations on Stage 2 investment decisions are made by officials of Creative Australia. These decisions are based on the advice provided by industry advisors in their reviews of the applications.

Assessment process

The approval of EOIs and Stage 2 applications is based on a range of factors, including the spread of organisations across arts practice genres, geography and communities. Only applications that industry advisors considered met the assessment criteria to a high degree were recommended for investment.

Approval of the investment is made by the Australia Council Board of Creative Australia.