In 2012-13, the estimate of total expenditure funded by the three tiers of government was $7,050.5m for cultural activities. This comprised:
- $2,361.2m (33% of total) from the Australian Government
- $3,291.6m (47%) from state and territory governments
- $1,397.6m (20%) from local government.
Total expenditure funded by government for cultural activities rose by 1% in 2012-13, following a rise of 5% in 2011-12.
Recurrent expenditure
In 2012-13 recurrent expenditure was $6,010.8m, a rise of 2% from 2011-12 ($5,894.8m). Recurrent expenditure as a proportion of total cultural expenditure (85%) remained at a similar level to 2011-12 (84%).
The estimate of recurrent expenditure by state and territory governments was $2,634.6m in 2012-13. In dollar terms this was the largest amount of the three levels of government although it represented only 80% of total cultural expenditure by state and territory governments. In contrast, the proportion of expenditure by the Australian Government and local government was higher for recurrent activities: 94% and 83% respectively.
Capital expenditure
The estimate of capital expenditure by all levels of government was $1,039.7m in 2012-13, a decrease of 4% from 2011-12 ($1,082.7m). In general, capital expenditure fluctuates more than recurrent expenditure due to its project based nature.
The majority of capital expenditure was by the state and territory governments at $657.1m (63% of total capital expenditure) while the Australian Government spent $147.4m and local government outlaid $235.2m in 2012-13 (14% and 23% of total capital expenditure respectively).
Expenditure by category
Data on cultural expenditure are aligned, where possible, with the categories specified in the Industry Classification of the Australian Culture and Leisure Classifications, Australia, 2008 (Second Edition) (ACLC), (cat. no. 4902.0). This allows for division into Heritage and Arts with a further detailed division into 19 major categories.
The two categories with the highest expenditure funded by the Australian Government in 2012-13 were:
- Radio and television services ($1,281.1m)
- Other museums and cultural heritage ($285.9m).
The two categories with the highest expenditure funded by state and territory governments in 2012-13 were:
- Environmental heritage ($1,281.8m)
- Other museums and cultural heritage ($550.6m).
Expenditure per person
In 2012-13, the estimate of expenditure by the three tiers of government averaged $307.60 per person in Australia, a fall from $309.90 per person in 2011-12.
Cultural expenditure funded by the Australian Government in 2012-13 was $103.00 per person which was similar to expenditure of $104.60 per person in 2011-12. Expenditure in 2012-13 for Heritage activities was $26.40 per person, while for Arts it was $76.60 per person.
The estimate of expenditure by state and territory governments was $143.60 per person in 2012-13, comprising $106.80 per person for Heritage and $36.80 per person for Arts. This was a 1% decrease on the 2011-12 figure of $145.70 per person, however, it still represented a 4% increase over the $138.20 per person reported in 2010-11.
The estimate of expenditure on cultural activities by local government was $61.00 per person in 2012-13, a 2% increase from $59.60 per person in 2011-12. South Australia ($78.40), Victoria ($66.50) and Western Australia ($62.50) had the highest local government per person expenditure in 2012-13.