Every creative freelancer needs the help and support of an organisation sometimes, even if it's just to answer questions or encourage us to leave
the house. The following is a list of organisations dedicated to helping creative people, and includes everything from Australia's leading creative
union to a handful of fabulous websites. We've included some great international links as well, so have a scroll!
the house. The following is a list of organisations dedicated to helping creative people, and includes everything from Australia's leading creative
union to a handful of fabulous websites. We've included some great international links as well, so have a scroll!
| "Just want to again pass on to you my gratitude for a great course last week. You made me excited to be in control over my own destiny, rather than afraid and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your positive attitude. It’s wonderful!" - Erin White, writer. |
All text, images and information is © 1994 - 2010
Freelance Success is a registered trademark #1241679.
Freelance Success is another business adventure owned by...
Freelance Success is a registered trademark #1241679.
Freelance Success is another business adventure owned by...
Arts Hub wonderful resource for all arts workers. Become a member and receive a
number of benefits including a weekly Jobs e-bulletin. You'll also get notice of
events, volunteer positions, arts news and more. Professional membership costs
$99 per year, while mini-membership is free. Why not try before you buy!
number of benefits including a weekly Jobs e-bulletin. You'll also get notice of
events, volunteer positions, arts news and more. Professional membership costs
$99 per year, while mini-membership is free. Why not try before you buy!
For information about the screen biz, events, unpaid gigs and of course paid work,
Screen Hub is the place. If you become a member you'll be sent weekly alerts,
including job e-bulletins, industry news and invites to fabulous events.
Membership is just $89 a year, or you can trial it for free.
Screen Hub is the place. If you become a member you'll be sent weekly alerts,
including job e-bulletins, industry news and invites to fabulous events.
Membership is just $89 a year, or you can trial it for free.
The Australia Council for the Arts is the Australian Government’s arts funding and advisory body.
They help to develop the arts sector and provide funding for various artistic endeavours (not just fine
art). You can access information about the arts in general, news, upcoming events, and funding
rounds. They also house a lot of research about the arts, very useful for creative business plans!
Click here for link to booklet containing loads more arts organisations from OzCo!
They help to develop the arts sector and provide funding for various artistic endeavours (not just fine
art). You can access information about the arts in general, news, upcoming events, and funding
rounds. They also house a lot of research about the arts, very useful for creative business plans!
Click here for link to booklet containing loads more arts organisations from OzCo!
What is now the Department of Arts (and a lot of
other things). Not happy Jan! Still, they have links to
support services for artists, as well sad tax
information. Not great, but have a look anyway.
other things). Not happy Jan! Still, they have links to
support services for artists, as well sad tax
information. Not great, but have a look anyway.
The fabulous Culture Portal which is
closing in July. A gateway to organisations,
events, resources, and activities. Have a
look while you can!
closing in July. A gateway to organisations,
events, resources, and activities. Have a
look while you can!
Business information and advice for visual art, craft and design practitioners. Very fabulous
website from NAVA (National Association of Visual Arts). There's tons of info about your
creative business, marketing, courses and events. There's also news, profiles and more!
website from NAVA (National Association of Visual Arts). There's tons of info about your
creative business, marketing, courses and events. There's also news, profiles and more!
Generally Helpful and a bit Fabulous Organisations (in no particular order)
Industry Specific Organisations (also in no particular order)
Helpful Business Organisations - some creative, some not so much.
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) is a union for lots
of art workers in Australia, including performers, journalists, film and
TV technicians and more. There info about rates of pay, OH&S,
contracts, super, tax and more. You don't need to join to explore!
of art workers in Australia, including performers, journalists, film and
TV technicians and more. There info about rates of pay, OH&S,
contracts, super, tax and more. You don't need to join to explore!
The place for Dancers. Ausdance services include advocacy for dance, the Ausdance Aon Insurance
Scheme, industry journals and publications, workshops and forums, networking and communication
facilities, information resources and infrastructure support.
Scheme, industry journals and publications, workshops and forums, networking and communication
facilities, information resources and infrastructure support.
The Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) is the national organisation for professional
graphic designers. They have a program of awards, exhibitions, seminars and professional
development activities for members (prices range from $49 for student membership to $242). The
Professional Practice section is particularly useful and should be a great help if you're starting out.
graphic designers. They have a program of awards, exhibitions, seminars and professional
development activities for members (prices range from $49 for student membership to $242). The
Professional Practice section is particularly useful and should be a great help if you're starting out.
The Australian Guild of Screen Composers represents the interests of Australian screen
composers by developing and promoting employment opportunities, undertaking
educational initiatives and increasing their profile amongst the industry.
composers by developing and promoting employment opportunities, undertaking
educational initiatives and increasing their profile amongst the industry.
The Australian Institute of Professional Photogaphy is Australia's leading
membership body for the photographic community. They are dedicated (apparently) to
improving the photographic skills, business acumen, moral and ethical standards of
members. They have events, online resources including info about contracts, insurance
and more.
membership body for the photographic community. They are dedicated (apparently) to
improving the photographic skills, business acumen, moral and ethical standards of
members. They have events, online resources including info about contracts, insurance
and more.
The Arts Law Centre of Australia is the national community legal centre for the arts. They offer
legal advice and services for members, events, resources (including sample contracts), a referral
service for lawyers, publications and much, much more. Individual memberships cost $120 which
is a very small price to pay for such a range of great services. Support Arts Law today!
legal advice and services for members, events, resources (including sample contracts), a referral
service for lawyers, publications and much, much more. Individual memberships cost $120 which
is a very small price to pay for such a range of great services. Support Arts Law today!
| Can't see your industry here? Email us and let us know your industry body so we can include it. |
The Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA) is interested in promoting the
growth and success of our interactive media. They have meetings, events, resources, tender
and grant opportunities, a job centre and much more. Sole trader membership is $165 + GST
so well worth it.
growth and success of our interactive media. They have meetings, events, resources, tender
and grant opportunities, a job centre and much more. Sole trader membership is $165 + GST
so well worth it.
Illustrators Australia has been promoting illustration throughout Australia and internationally since
1989. Their aim is to facilitate the exchange of ideas within the illustration community while giving
members the tools they need to develop fair and fulfilling relationships with their clients. Their resources
include info about owning and using artwork, pricing, sample agreement forms and more. They also
have a member forum.
1989. Their aim is to facilitate the exchange of ideas within the illustration community while giving
members the tools they need to develop fair and fulfilling relationships with their clients. Their resources
include info about owning and using artwork, pricing, sample agreement forms and more. They also
have a member forum.
The Australian Society of Authors is the peak professional association for Australia's
literary creators. ASA memberships includes a subsidised contract advisory service,
regular newsletters, a magazine, free contracts and discounted publications, a
mentorship program for emerging writers, information sessions, seminars and more.
literary creators. ASA memberships includes a subsidised contract advisory service,
regular newsletters, a magazine, free contracts and discounted publications, a
mentorship program for emerging writers, information sessions, seminars and more.
The Australian Writers Guild represents screen writers and helps them out by offering industry
handbooks, model agreements and contracts, script registration and assessment services for
members, seminars and intensive workshops, mentorships, meetings and so much more.
handbooks, model agreements and contracts, script registration and assessment services for
members, seminars and intensive workshops, mentorships, meetings and so much more.
The Musicians Union of Australia was formed to protect the interests of musicians. MUA has negotiated
awards governing conditions and rates of pay, represented musicians at all levels of government and
industry and acted for musicians whenever their interests were threatened. Membership offers you a
support network , protection, advice on all aspects of the music industry and more.
awards governing conditions and rates of pay, represented musicians at all levels of government and
industry and acted for musicians whenever their interests were threatened. Membership offers you a
support network , protection, advice on all aspects of the music industry and more.
The Australian Web Industry Association (AWIA) was formed originally as a social network for
web professionals. It is a not-for-profit association which aims to further the advancement of the
web industry within Australia, educate the general public about the role of professionals in the
web industry, and foster greater ties with like-minded organisations. It offers meetings, guides,
podscasts and more.
web professionals. It is a not-for-profit association which aims to further the advancement of the
web industry within Australia, educate the general public about the role of professionals in the
web industry, and foster greater ties with like-minded organisations. It offers meetings, guides,
podscasts and more.
The Design Institute of Australia (DIA) is Australia's professional membership body for
designers and design businesses. Membership provides support, networking, services and
information to improve your professional practice, plus contacts with colleagues from many
industry areas.
designers and design businesses. Membership provides support, networking, services and
information to improve your professional practice, plus contacts with colleagues from many
industry areas.
business.gov.au offers a convenient access to all the federal
government information, transactions and services you need. It
includes state and territory governments, and provides essential
information on planning, starting and running your business.
government information, transactions and services you need. It
includes state and territory governments, and provides essential
information on planning, starting and running your business.
BEC Australia is a not-for-profit organisation whose primary role is to support and grow the national
network of Business Enterprise Centres. You can access services including -
network of Business Enterprise Centres. You can access services including -
- training programs, workshops and seminars;
- business referrals for accountants, solicitors, marketing consultants, financial planners and more;
- business networks and mentoring support;
- business analysis, such as research, quality management,and more.
If you are an eligible job seeker and are interested in starting and running a small business, you
may be able to access assistance through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS). NEIS
can provide you with accredited small business training, business advice and mentoring, as well
as ongoing income support for up to 52 weeks. NEIS is one of the Australian Government’s
longest running employment activities, and has helped more than 100 000 people develop new,
viable small businesses around Australia.
may be able to access assistance through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS). NEIS
can provide you with accredited small business training, business advice and mentoring, as well
as ongoing income support for up to 52 weeks. NEIS is one of the Australian Government’s
longest running employment activities, and has helped more than 100 000 people develop new,
viable small businesses around Australia.
Creative Business Benchmarker is a business
tool that allows you to compare your performance to
similar firms. An initiative of the Centre of
Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation.
tool that allows you to compare your performance to
similar firms. An initiative of the Centre of
Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation.
QUT Creative Enterprise Australia (CEA) equips emerging businesses with
the skills required to make and manage their success; provides access to
leading technology and office spaces; and connects clients with the right
networks and opportunities. They offer a wide range of business development
programs, networking and training opportunities, research, workspaces,
production facilities, and financial support.
the skills required to make and manage their success; provides access to
leading technology and office spaces; and connects clients with the right
networks and opportunities. They offer a wide range of business development
programs, networking and training opportunities, research, workspaces,
production facilities, and financial support.
The ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation (CCI) was established in 2005 to
focus research and development on the contribution that the creative industries and their contributing
disciplines can make to a more dynamic and inclusive innovation system. Subscribe to their nifty
newsletter for weekly information about conferences, seminars, policy and more.
focus research and development on the contribution that the creative industries and their contributing
disciplines can make to a more dynamic and inclusive innovation system. Subscribe to their nifty
newsletter for weekly information about conferences, seminars, policy and more.
The Australia Council for the Arts also offer CreateBIZ, a resource to help artists to access
government support programs. It provides state-by-state and national lists of business, research,
innovation and export programs that may assist artists to access new sources of income. Whether
you are a creative seeking government funding for an export program, or to commercialise a product,
CreateBiz may be a useful first point in your research.
government support programs. It provides state-by-state and national lists of business, research,
innovation and export programs that may assist artists to access new sources of income. Whether
you are a creative seeking government funding for an export program, or to commercialise a product,
CreateBiz may be a useful first point in your research.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Very cool Hourly Rate Calculator from the Freelance Switch website
(which is also very cool). It helps you calculate an hourly rate using
information about your business costs, personal costs, realistic
billable hours and how much savings or profit you want in a year. Give
it a burl and find out what you should be charging!
(which is also very cool). It helps you calculate an hourly rate using
information about your business costs, personal costs, realistic
billable hours and how much savings or profit you want in a year. Give
it a burl and find out what you should be charging!