It’s time to have your say on Australia’s next Cultural Policy
Consultation is now open for Australia’s next National Cultural Policy – a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of Australia’s arts and cultural landscape.
Led by the Australian Government’s Office for the Arts, this process is seeking input from across the country to ensure the policy reflects Australia’s diversity and responds to the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The Office for the Arts notes that Australia’s cultural and creative sector is vital to our national identity, social cohesion and economy, underscoring the importance of broad community input at this stage.
The Music Education: Right from the Start initiative will be making a submission, advocating for education to be more strongly embedded within the policy. We believe music education is foundational to a thriving cultural ecosystem.
The evidence is clear. Quality music education supports key national priorities by:
Strengthening literacy and numeracy
Improving student engagement and attendance at school
Reducing stress and anxiety in the classroom
Supporting equity and access for all young Australians
Contributing to engaged future audiences and a sustainable, thriving cultural industry.
This is a critical moment to ensure that music education is recognised not as an optional extra, but as essential national infrastructure.
Federal Special Envoy for the Arts, Ms Susan Templeman MP, recently convened a briefing on behalf of Music Education: Right from the Start for Federal Education Minister, the Hon Jason Clare MP, on how quality music education in Australian primary schools can strengthen the Government’s education priorities. The briefing brought together teachers, academics, principals and music program providers.
The consultation process will directly inform the development of the new National Cultural Policy, building on the foundations of Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place, and shaping a framework to support Australia’s cultural and creative sectors into the future.
Submissions close on 24 May 2026, with town hall consultations scheduled to take place across the country. Learn how you can have your say here.
If you’re interested in learning more about our vision for music education within the next cultural policy, or contributing to our submission, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out via email at musiceducation@alberts.co.
