Creative Workforce Scoping Study

This groundbreaking report distils knowledge of long-standing workforce issues in the creative sector and includes new data on how contemporary labour, technical and economic challenges are impacting the creative workforce.

Overview

The Creative Workforce Scoping Study builds on the Interim Findings report released in November 2024. The study covers six sectors:

Performing arts
Visual arts, craft and design
Writing and publishing
Digital games
Screen
Music

Drawn from a national sector survey of employers, significant industry consultation, along with mapping of existing datasets, initiatives and literature, the Study provides a rich foundation of evidence and agreed knowledge with which to navigate creative workforce challenges in the coming years. 

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Report Details

Main Findings

Australia’s creative industries are facing critical workforce and skills shortages. These are exacerbated by multiple issues, including the economic climate, precarious work conditions, generational shifts in workplace expectations and a disconnect between formal education and industry needs

There’s a need for new and invigorated initiatives, including filling identifying gaps in formal education and training, bridging gaps between formal education and industry, strengthening support for industry-led on-the-job mentoring and traineeships, and building skills needed across multiple sectors.

The Study highlights opportunities for improved collaboration between governments, agencies, portfolios and jurisdictions; as well as with industry, community organisations, schools, and VET and higher education institutions.

There’s a need for long-term workforce development initiatives that increase the viability and sustainability of creative careers, and which ensure that creative careers are accessible and inclusive for all Australians.

Report Structure

The Full Report contains four parts:

About the Study

This research is a result of the commitment set out within the National Cultural Policy, Revive, a five-year plan by the Australian Government designed to renew and revive the Arts sector within Australia.

The policy aims to address the longstanding challenges faced by artists and arts workers, providing them with the support and resources needed to thrive.

SaCSA engaged Creative Australia, the Australian Government’s principal arts investment and advisory body, as the Subcontractor to deliver the Creative Workforce Scoping Study.

SaCSA is working with key stakeholders to develop our work program of industry-led solutions to the challenges and opportunities identified in the Study. The Study takes a broader view than SaCSA’s remit, examining the root causes of workforce and skills challenges. Its insights may inform future policy development and reform across various portfolios, jurisdictions, programs and sectors.

A Message from Minister Giles