What’s New for the Arts?

In the 2025-26 Federal Budget delivered by the Government on Tuesday night, $8.6 million in new funding was announced for 2025–26 to continue implementation of the National Cultural Policy – Revive, including support for the Revive Live program.

Revive Live was established to provide essential support to established live music venues and music festivals to assist them to continue to operate in the current operating climate, limiting venue closures and event cancellations, and stimulating long-term sustainability.

The 2025-26 Budget also includes new funding of $11 million to support a three-year extension of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Policy Partnership. This investment will support First Nations peoples to express, preserve and maintain their culture through languages and art.

This is the only new arts-specific funding initiative included in this year’s budget.

Creative Australia’s core funding has increased to $318 million, up from $306.6 million in 2024–25. This increase will be for pre-existing Revive initiatives beginning or scaling up in 2025–26, including Writing Australia, the Creative Futures Fund, and others. The budget does not include any new investments for Creative Australia.

While not arts-specific, many new budget initiatives may provide indirect benefits to our sector — especially for low-income, freelance, and not-for-profit workers.

💸 Cost-of-Living Relief

✅ Income Tax Cuts

From 1 July 2024, income tax cuts will take effect, providing savings for many Australians, including artists and arts workers. Those with low to middle incomes will pay less tax from next year, with further cuts coming in 2026–27. For example, if you earn $40,000, you’ll pay $600 less in tax each year. This will help ease the financial pressure for many in the creative sector.

✅ Energy Bill Relief

All households and 1 million small businesses will receive two $75 electricity rebates between now and the end of 2025.

🎓 Education and Student Debt

✅ HELP Debt Reduction and Repayment Reform

From 1 June 2025, anyone with a HELP (HECS) debt will automatically receive a 20% reduction to their outstanding balance. The repayment system is being reformed to be fairer and more gradual:
– The income threshold before you start repaying your loan will rise to $51,550
– Repayment rates will increase more smoothly with income
This will directly benefit many in the creative sector who hold student debt but earn under or just above the threshold.

🏘️ Housing and Rent Support

The Government is delivering A Better Deal for Renters, including:
– Stronger national protections for renters (developed with states and territories)
– A new National Housing and Homelessness Plan
– Support for Build-to-Rent housing, including 8,000 affordable rental homes
Renters will also benefit from the already legislated increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance (up to 45%).

💊 Health: Cheaper Medicines and Access to Care

✅ Cheaper Medicines

From 1 January 2026, the maximum price of a prescription for medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) will be slashed from $31.60 to $25.

✅ Bulk Billed GP Visits

The Government is investing further to meet its goal of having 9 out of 10 GP visits bulk billed by 2030. This supports easier access to affordable healthcare, particularly for low-income earners and people without private health insurance.

TNA’s Response: A Missed Opportunity for the Arts

TNA is disappointed that the 2025–26 Federal Budget did not include more substantial investment in the arts, especially in response to critical issues the sector is dealing with.

TNA continues to emphasise the need for measures to support independent artists, small-to-medium arts organisations, and access to the arts and culture. Specifically we are calling for much-needed investment to create fair pay and sustainable careers, strengthen regional touring and development, and improve children and young people’s access to the arts.

While we welcome the $8.6 million for Revive Live, which supports live music venues and touring artists, we believe the lack of additional funding for other critical initiatives is a missed opportunity to address the ongoing challenges faced by the sector. These include workforce shortages, financial instability for arts workers, and the need for more accessible arts experiences for communities across the country.

More information:
Joshua Lowe
josh@tna.org.au
0408 660 748