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April 1, 2026

Consultation opens for the next National Cultural Policy

The consultation for the next National Cultural Policy has opened, inviting submissions from creatives and cultural sector workers before 24 May 2026. The new policy aims to build on the achievements of the existing National Cultural Policy, Revive, while addressing emerging priorities and opportunities, such as audience engagement and new technologies.

It was thanks to the wave of submissions from authors and illustrators to the last National Cultural Policy consultation that we were able to achieve significant wins for creators, including the expansion of the lending rights schemes to include ebooks and audiobooks, and the establishment of a body for literature, Writing Australia. However, there is more work to be done, particularly in the face of new threats to the sustainability of author careers in Australia, including the development and adoption of generative AI.

Read more about the ASA’s AI advocacy and asks

We strongly encourage writers and illustrators to make a submission and to share this news with your networks – the consultation for this policy represents an opportunity to have the author and illustrator voice heard by Government. Whether you’re emerging, mid-career, or an established author, your voice will count. We are stronger together – authors and illustrators were successful in the previous consultation because we represented a unified front.

To support you to write your submissions, in the coming weeks, the ASA will:

  1. Publish our key policy asks
  2. Host an information session for authors and illustrators on what the ASA is calling for and how to make a submission
  3. Make a submission

Stay tuned to our newsletter and other communication channels for more information. 

The Office for the Arts has published a Public Consultation Paper setting out the five pillars of the policy, and inviting views on:

  • The challenges and opportunities you see in the pillar or pillars most relevant to you
  • why the five pillars matter to you and your practice, and/or
  • what you would like to see reflected in the next National Cultural Policy.

If you have any questions about making a submission, please do not hesitate to contact the ASA at [email protected] or 02 9211 1004.

Read more about author/illustrator submissions made to the last National Cultural Policy, and the ASA’s summary of Revive.

Download the ASA’s submission to the previous National Cultural Policy.

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