4183.0 - Cultural Funding by Government, Australia, 2002-03  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 28/07/2004   
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CULTURAL FUNDING

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%).

In 2002-03, funding of over $1 billion was allocated to both the Broadcasting and film ($1,065.6m or 22% of total cultural funding) and Nature parks and reserves ($1,071.5m or 22%) categories by the Commonwealth and state and territory governments. The other major recipients of Commonwealth and state and territory government funding were Other museums (which consists of museums other than art museums) ($490.9m); and Libraries and archives ($471.2m).


CHANGES OVER TIME

Compared with the previous year (2001-02), total government funding increased by $250.1m (5%) in 2002-03. Total cultural funding from the Commonwealth Government and local government increased by 3% and 22% respectively, while the state and territory governments' contribution stayed relatively constant. By comparison, from 2000-01 to 2002-03 there was an overall increase in government funding of $487.2m (11%) with increases reported for all levels of government.

CULTURAL FUNDING, By level of Government 2000-01 to 2002-03

Graph - Cultural funding, by level of government 2000-01 to 2002-03


Funding from the Commonwealth Government rose $50.1m in 2002-03, mainly due to an increase in funding for Broadcasting and film (up $65.6m or 7%). Partly offsetting this was a decrease in funding for Other museums (down $22.8m or 10%).

The state and territory governments' contribution to total cultural funding increased by $17.4m in 2002-03 to $2,238.1m. The majority of the funding provided by state and territory governments in 2002-03 was directed towards Nature parks and reserves ($987.8m) followed by Libraries and archives ($358.4m). Funding for Performing arts venues fell in 2002-03 to $91.3m largely due to the completion of major capital works in New South Wales.

For local governments, funding for cultural activities in 2002-03 increased $182.6m to $1,024.5m (22%), whereas between 2000-01 and 2001-02 it had decreased by $30.5m (4%) to $841.9m.


FUNDING PER PERSON

Total government funding per person for 2002-03 increased $9.89, from $239.79 in 2001-02 to $249.68 in 2002-03. The Commonwealth Government's contribution rose slightly to $84.55 in 2002-03 from $82.97 per person in 2001-02, as did the local governments' contribution which recorded an increase of $8.74, from $43.11 in 2001-02 to $51.85 in 2002-03.


RECURRENT AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

The amount of funding for cultural activities in any one year can be affected by high levels of one-off capital expenditure. Capital expenditure refers to expenditure on the creation of fixed assets and on the acquisition of land, buildings and intangible assets. In contrast, recurrent expenditure refers mainly to expenditure on wages and salaries, purchases of goods and services, and current grants and subsidies.

Recurrent expenditure accounts for the largest portion of total government funding for cultural activities across all levels of government. In 2002-03, recurrent expenditure was $4,346.9m or 88% of total cultural funding. In particular, the Commonwealth Government allocated $1,583.4m (95%) for recurrent activity, state and territory governments provided $1,948.8m (87%) and local governments contributed $814.7m (80%).


FUNDING BY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT


COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT

In 2002-03, the majority of Commonwealth Government cultural funding supported Arts activities ($1,209.4m or 72% of total Commonwealth funding), while Heritage activities received $461.1m (28%). Broadcasting and film was the main recipient receiving over half of the total funding provided ($979.6m or 59%) with Radio and television services in particular receiving $887.7m (53%). Other museums were allocated $204.6m (12%).


STATE AND TERRITORY GOVERNMENT

In contrast, state and territory governments directed the majority of funding to Heritage activities ($1,891.3m or 85%) in 2002-03, while Arts activities received $346.9m (15%). Nature parks and reserves received $987.8m representing 44% of the total state and territory government funding for cultural activities. The remaining funds included amounts for Art museums ($144.2m), Other museums ($286.3m), Libraries and archives ($358.4m) and Zoological parks, aquaria and botanic gardens ($114.6m).

In 2002-03, cultural funding per person remained close to the average of $113.28 for most state and territory governments. Exceptions to this were the Northern Territory Government, with expenditure per person of $381.73, more than three times the
average. For Tasmania, per person expenditure ($143.75) was also above the average while for Victoria, per person expenditure ($92.64) was below.

STATE AND TERRITORY GOVERNMENT CULTURAL FUNDING, By Value of Funding 2002-03

Graph - State and territory government cultural funding, by value of funding 2002-03


STATE AND TERRITORY GOVERNMENT CULTURAL FUNDING, By $ Per Person - 2002-03

Graph - State and territory government cultural funding, by $ per person 2002-03



The Northern Territory Government spent $44.2m or $223.01 per person on Nature parks and reserves when the average expenditure was $49.99 per person. Other state and territory governments to exceed this average were Tasmania ($73.22 or $34.7m), New South Wales ($58.47 or $389.5m) and Queensland ($57.89 or $217.3m).


LOCAL GOVERNMENT

In 2002-03, local government funding for cultural activities rose 22% to $1,024.5m. The only state or territory to record a decrease was Western Australia with funding levels falling by $16.7m to $104.2m. The largest increases for the other states and territories were in New South Wales ($108.2m), Queensland ($33.4m) and South Australia ($29.6m).

On a per person basis, local governments in South Australia contributed the largest amount of cultural funding per person ($63.66) which was $11.81 above the average of $51.85 per person. The lowest amount of $27.43 per person was allocated by Northern Territory local governments and was $24.42 below the average.


ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION

This publication contains estimates of Australian public funding for arts and cultural activities, facilities and services for the three years from 2000-2001 to 2002-03. Estimates for the three levels of government have been compiled from administrative by-product data obtained by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) from annual reports and budget papers, and from information provided by selected Commonwealth authorities (including the Australia Council), state and territory governments and local government authorities. Detailed estimates of local government funding of arts and cultural activities
are not available for this edition of this publication but are expected to be available for the 2005-06 edition, when the ABS begins to classify local government data by a more detailed Local Government Purpose Classification.

Funding data in this publication are aligned, where possible, with the categories specified in the Industry Classification of the Australian Culture and Leisure Classifications (cat.no.4902.0), which were released in 2001. Cultural activities have been classified into two major groups: Heritage; and the Arts.