The Opportunity:
Why Live Performance Matters
From small community halls to our biggest stages, live performance brings Australians together, supporting jobs and the economy.
From the moment the curtain rises to the final bow
- Live performance entertains, educates and inspires through story-telling, movement, music and song.
- It helps us connect, reflect, experience and enjoy.
- It’s human, it’s real and it makes you feel, think, and move.
Live performance is also an essential part of our economy
- It supports jobs and economic activity for artists and creative workers across a wide range of occupations from backstage to the foyer.
- It drives the economic, social and cultural vibrancy of our largest cities, regional centres and country towns.
Did you know?
Record-Breaking Audience Demand
There were almost 31 million tickets sold to live performance events in 2025, generating around $3.3 billion in ticket revenue.
Live Performance Leads the Crowd
More tickets are sold every year to a live performance event than all of our major sporting codes combined.
Powering Jobs Across Australia
Live theatre supports over 30,000 jobs and generates $4 billion turnover across the Australian economy.
Four Times the Economic Impact
Every dollar spent by a theatre organisation has an economy-wide spillover effect of more than four dollars.
Tell your MP
why you love live
Send your personal message of support
Send your personal message of support for live performance, and ask your MP to back a bright future for Australia’s talented artists and creative workers.
You can also write to
The Hon Tony Burke MP
Minister for the Arts
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600