Arts and Culture in Australia: A Statistical Overview was originally released in hard copy and as a pdf file in November 2004. It was subsequently re-issued in both an on-line format and PDF format on 6 September 2006.

Total government funding for cultural activities in 2002-03 was $4,933.1m. The Commonwealth Government contributed $1,670.5m (34%) to cultural funding while state and territory governments contributed $2,238.1m (45%) and local governments provided $1,024.5m (21%).

This presentation considers: culture as the domain of ‘traditions’ emphasising continuities; rapid contemporary change with culture in a dynamic state of flux; innovation in culture, not just in the arts; diversity as an engine of productive change; cultural development as asset orientation; and sustainability with the need for ‘cultural futures’ thinking and research.

Total government funding for cultural activities in 2001-02 was $4,676.8m. The Commonwealth Government contributed $1,619.6m (35%) to cultural funding while state and territory governments contributed $2,215.2m (47%) and local governments provided $841.9m (18%).

Funding for cultural activities at all levels of government increased to $4.5 billion in 2000-01, up 10% from the previous financial year, according to tis report.