Creative Australia Impact Investment Readiness 2027: Free Programme for Design and Media Arts Organisations
Creative Australia seeks twenty arts and creative-industry organisations
Creative Australia and social enterprise finance organisation Sefa are jointly delivering the 2027 Impact Investment Readiness Program. Expressions of interest (EOIs) are open from 12 October to Friday 30 October 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Australian Eastern Daylight Time. Up to twenty Australian creative and cultural organisations will be selected for the programme, scheduled to start on 15 February and conclude on 15 May 2027.
This is a fee-free professional development and organisational capacity-building programme, not a direct cash grant or guaranteed loan. Its purpose is to help established creative organisations prepare stronger governance, financial planning, evidence of cultural and social impact, and realistic long-term growth strategies.
Who may apply and why visual/digital creative organisations qualify
The programme welcomes Australian organisations working in the creative industries that conduct business in Australia and have central management and control in Australia. Eligible broad sectors include design, museums, visual arts, crafts, fashion, music, performing arts, literature, cultural services and other creative activities. For Aion readers, this includes relevant arts organisations, media-art presenters, design studios and creative enterprises able to demonstrate an appropriate organisational structure.
Both for-profit and not-for-profit organisations may be eligible. An overseas organisation with only a tentative Australian project should not infer that it qualifies. At least two representatives, ideally in leadership roles, must participate on behalf of each selected organisation.
Two pathways with different commitments
Stream 1 is for organisations with established operational foundations and a defined growth opportunity. It combines the core online training with individual coaching and requires approximately four to five hours per week during the 14-week programme. Up to ten organisations may enter this pathway.
Stream 2 is for organisations strengthening their current business foundations. It provides core teaching without the individual coaching component, and typically takes three to four hours weekly over eight weeks. The organisation is assigned to the pathway according to the programme's assessment; it is not necessarily given an unrestricted choice of which stream it wants.
What participants actually learn
Practical modules address business planning, diversifying income, documenting impact, governance, financial sustainability, leadership and assessing whether impact investment would fit an organisation's mission. Participants work with templates, online group sessions and, in Stream 1, specialist coaching. The goal is to develop a credible plan for growth or sustainability rather than merely to produce marketing materials.
Importantly, there is no fee for participating in either stream, but leadership time is required. Completing the programme does not guarantee an investment, a loan, a government grant or another form of future financing. Prospective applicants should assess whether their organisation can commit the time alongside ongoing exhibition or design work.
Applications are staged: the first deadline is in October
The first-step EOI closes on 30 October 2026 at 3:00 p.m. AEDT. Initial outcomes and invitations to submit a second-stage full application are expected by 13 November. Invited applicants must complete that second stage by 20 November 2026. Successful applicants are expected to be informed in December.
Applicants should outline the organisation's mission, business and governance model, financial position, strategic objectives and the impact they hope to deliver. The organiser may request further details when assigning the programme pathway. The official Microsoft-hosted EOI link is available directly on Creative Australia's programme page.
Public organiser history and safe application
Creative Australia is Australia's national arts investment and development agency, with established programmes supporting artistic practice, grants, industry capabilities and professional development. Sefa is its delivery partner for this particular investment-readiness programme and is identified by name and contact address on the official page. The accessible scheme documentation sets out costs, assessment steps, participant numbers, deadlines and eligibility.
Official programme overview, FAQs, EOI and contact: https://www.creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/impact-investment-readiness-program
Enquiries: irp@sefa.com.au. EOI deadline: 30 October 2026 at 3:00 p.m. AEDT. Source verified 19 October 2026.