Arts and culture play an important role in Australian society. According to the 2019 National Arts Participation survey, 98% of Australians surveyed engaged with arts and culture.91
They also drive substantial economic benefits by employing people and attracting tourism income. Australia Council research found that domestic arts tourism spending in 2018 was $16 billion92 and, in 2017, international arts tourism spending was $17 billion.93
Cultural and creative activity contributed more than $115.2 billion to the economy in 2017-18 and employed 6% of the national workforce.94 During the same year, governments allocated $6.86 billion overall to the arts.95
During 2020-2021, the COVID-19 pandemic has decimated this sector. Without a collaborative and coordinated effort to reboot it across all levels of government, Australia risks diminishing its cultural fabric and the benefits realised.96
Green, blue and recreational infrastructure such as waterways, national parks and sporting and community facilities also attract tourism and generate substantial economic returns.
Community sport infrastructure alone has an estimated annual value of more than $16.2 billion, including $6.3 billion of economic benefits.97
Now and over the coming years, the Australian Government must fill the gap created by losing international visitors and capitalise on domestic tourism opportunities, in parallel with strengthening community sporting clubs and facilities.
This will involve reigniting the creative industries and promoting recreational infrastructure.