The Big Picture: Public Expenditure on Artistic, Cultural and Creative Activity in Australia 

Key Findings 

Finding 1

Australian public expenditure on arts and culture reached its highest point in 2017–18, while fluctuating during the previous decade (using adjusted figures). Cultural expenditure is not matching population growth. Per capita public expenditure on culture has dropped by 4.9% over the decade 2007–08 to 2017–18, and expenditure as a percentage of GDP remains below the OECD average.

Finding 2

The ABS and MCMO-SWG dataset shows, local governments and state and territory governments have increased their per capita expenditure on culture. Local governments have increased per capita expenditure by 11% while state and territory governments have increased per capita expenditure by 3.9%. The federal government is committing 18.9% less expenditure per capita to culture than it did a decade ago.

Finding 3

Responsibility for cultural expenditure is split more evenly between the levels of government than it was a decade ago. As a proportion of the total, the federal government now contributes 39.0%, down from 45.7%. State and territory governments contribute 34.8%, up from 31.9%. Local governments contribute 26.2%, up from 22.4%.

Finding 4

Capital expenditure is typically a minor part of the total cultural budget, significantly outweighed by expenditure on recurrent activities. However, it is increasing as a proportion of the total. Between 2007–08 and 2017–18 capital expenditure per capita increased by 47.6%, while recurrent expenditure per capita decreased by 11.7%.

Finding 5

Federal, state and territory government expenditure on culture is split fairly evenly between three overarching categories: Film, Radio and Television (32.5%); Museums, Art Museums, Archives, Libraries and Cultural Heritage (37.7%); and Arts (29.7%).

Opportunities for governments 

Opportunity 1

Introduce greater strategic collaboration between all tiers of government with clear recognition of the increasingly significant contribution of local governments to cultural funding.

Opportunity 2

Identify steps to maintain a commitment to meeting the long-term per capita average of the last decade as a minimum.

Opportunity 3

Consider measures and incentives needed to boost cultural expenditure to average OECD country levels within the next decade.

Opportunity 4

Provide clearer policy leadership to ensure outcomes of cultural expenditure are better communicated.

Opportunity 5

Ensure current and accurate data about cultural spending by government is freely available.

Opportunity 6

Given that significant capital expenditure on cultural assets may come through government programs without a specific cultural focus, identify opportunities to ensure investment decisions are made using relevant cultural expertise and that these opportunities are made more visible across the sector.