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National Performing Arts Partnership Framework (Partnership Framework)
About the partnership framework
The National Performing Arts Partnership Framework provides significant investment in Australian performing arts for the benefit of Australian audiences.
The Partnership Framework is administered by Creative Australia, in partnership with all states and the Northern Territory.
The Partnership Framework was launched by the Australian and all state and territory governments in October 2019. It provides a cohesive and collaborative national approach to sustainable arts funding into the future and to guide effective decision making for the sector.
Organisations under the Partnership Framework will benefit from the stability of up to eight years investment from Creative Australia and respective state and territory arts agencies. The Partnership Framework provides:
- a clear approach to prioritising outcomes for the Australian performing arts sector, audiences and communities, such as growing First Nations arts;
- a pathway to expand the number of funded companies through a two-stage invitation and assessment process;
- stability of funding balanced with flexibility so governments can jointly respond to changing priorities;
- increased transparency and accountability through enhanced reporting; and
- a new approach to rewarding artistic and organisational excellence.
For the 2021-24 period of investment, eight new entrants were invited to the Partnership Framework including the first organisation from the Northern Territory and the first regional organisations from Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria.
For the 2025-28 investment period, two new entrants with an exciting track record of creating and presenting new Australian stories will join the existing 37 Partnership Organisations. The new entrants are:
- La Boite Theatre (QLD)
- Performing Lines (NSW)
Read the media release from Creative Australia announcing the investment outcomes for the Partnership Framework for 2025-28.
Read more about the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework PDF | RTF | DOCX
2025 Creative Australia annual investment amounts
| Company | Artform | Creative Australia Investment | State |
| Adelaide Symphony Orchestra | Orchestra | $8,216,111 | SA |
| Artback NT | Multi-Arts | $763,127 | NT |
| Australian Brandenburg Orchestra | Music | $884,188 | NSW |
| Australian Chamber Orchestra | Music | $2,262,311 | NSW |
| Back to Back Theatre | Theatre | $753,930 | VIC |
| Bangarra Dance Theatre | Dance | $2,917,792 | NSW |
| Belvoir | Theatre | $1,669,579 | NSW |
| Black Swan State Theatre Company | Theatre | $1,022,816 | WA |
| Circa | Theatre | $1,067,910 | QLD |
| Dancenorth | Dance | $ 733,930 | QLD |
| Griffin Theatre Company | Theatre | $703,930 | NSW |
| Ilbijerri Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Theatre | Theatre | $1,042,256 | VIC |
| La Boite Theatre | Theatre | $650,000 | QLD |
| Malthouse Theatre | Theatre | $1,601,682 | VIC |
| Marrugeku | Dance | $ 753,930 | WA |
| Melbourne Symphony Orchestra | Orchestra | $12,786,904 | VIC |
| Melbourne Theatre Company | Theatre | $3,062,927 | VIC |
| Musica Viva Australia | Music | $2,028,954 | NSW |
| Opera Australia | Opera | $24,358,646 | NSW |
| Opera Queensland | Opera | $776,967 | QLD |
| Orchestra Victoria | Orchestra | $7,063,281 | VIC |
| Performing Lines | Theatre | $965,150 | NSW |
| Queensland Ballet | Dance | $873,440 | QLD |
| Queensland Symphony Orchestra | Orchestra | $9,139,012 | QLD |
| Queensland Theatre | Theatre | $976,564 | QLD |
| State Opera of South Australia | Opera | $1,795,083 | SA |
| State Theatre Company of South Australia | Theatre | $1,116,310 | SA |
| Sydney Dance Company | Dance | $3,122,095 | NSW |
| Sydney Symphony Orchestra | Orchestra | $13,223,370 | NSW |
| Sydney Theatre Company | Theatre | $2,655,410 | NSW |
| Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra | Orchestra | $7,742,874 | TAS |
| Terrapin Puppet Theatre | Theatre | $703,930 | TAS |
| The Australian Ballet | Dance | $7,021,065 | VIC |
| The Bell Shakespeare Company | Theatre | $800,574 | NSW |
| Victorian Opera | Opera | $738,797 | VIC |
| West Australian Ballet | Dance | $910,469 | WA |
| West Australian Opera | Opera | $562,479 | WA |
| West Australian Symphony Orchestra | Orchestra | $8,442,439 | WA |
| Windmill Theatre Co | Theatre | $553,930 | SA |
Media releases
- Broadening the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework, The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – 11 June 2021
- Meeting of Cultural Ministers Communique – 11 October 2019
- National agreement on new framework to support the performing arts sector, The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – 11 October 2019
