Have your say: current inquiries and consultations
NAVA will be making submissions to several upcoming inquiries and consultations and encourages artists, arts workers and organisations to add their voices.
Individual submissions are important. They give decision-makers direct evidence about how proposed laws, policies and reforms affect people working across the visual arts, craft and design sector.
Tips for writing a submission
A submission does not need to be long or address every question. When preparing a submission:
- begin with a short introduction about yourself, your practice or the organisation you represent
- focus on the questions or terms of reference that are most relevant to you — you do not need to address them all
- explain where and why you agree or disagree, and suggest alternatives where you have them
- draw on your own experience and perspective
- make your key points clear and specific
- keep it concise - three to four pages is generally enough
- only include information you would be comfortable having published online, unless you request that your submission be kept private.
Artificial intelligence and data centres
Submissions close 1 September 2026
The Senate Environment and Communications References Committee is examining the growth of AI and data centres in Australia, including the effectiveness of existing regulation and impacts on communities, industries, energy, water and the environment.
For the visual arts sector, the inquiry provides an opportunity to consider the environmental and infrastructure costs associated with generative AI alongside its impacts on artists' intellectual property rights, including copyright and moral rights.
Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence
Submissions close 14 September 2026
The new Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence is conducting a broad inquiry into the opportunities, impacts and regulation of AI in Australia.
Of particular relevance to artists, arts workers and organisations are questions about:
- the adequacy of Australia's existing laws and regulatory frameworks
- copyright and intellectual property, including the use of Australian creative, cultural and media content to train AI models
- data sovereignty and the use of Australian data
- workforce impacts, including job creation, displacement, job quality and security
- Australian sovereign AI capability
- transparency and accountability in government use of AI
- risks arising from deepfakes and other AI-generated material.
The inquiry is an important opportunity for artists to provide direct evidence about the use of creative work in AI training, consent and transparency, attribution and remuneration, the impact of generative AI on artists' work and practice, and the protections needed for Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP).
Fair Work Commission: modern award coverage for arts workers
Submissions close 4 September 2026
Following NAVA's recent advocacy, the Fair Work Commission has issued a provisional decision proposing significant changes to the Amusement, Events and Recreation Award 2020, including renaming it the Amusement, Recreation, Events and Arts Award 2020 and adding arts-specific duties to its classification structure.
The proposed changes would make it clearer that many arts workers are covered by the modern award and entitled to minimum wages and employment conditions.
The Commission has invited comments addressing the provisional views at paragraphs [29], [35], [39], [42], [45], [47], [49], [50], [51], [54] and [56] of the decision.
Comments should be emailed to awards@fwc.gov.au and identify the matter as:
Variation on the Commission’s own initiative—Amusement, Events and Recreation Award 2020 (AM2024/37)
Amusement, events and recreation industry
When commenting, identify the particular paragraph or provisional view you are responding to and explain whether you support it, oppose it or think it should be amended, including your reasons and any relevant experience from working in the visual arts.
NDIS framework planning and support rules
Consultation closes 14 October 2026
The Australian Government is consulting on new rules that will determine how framework planning works under the NDIS, including how support needs are assessed and how funding is allocated.
These rules will affect how recent changes to the NDIS operate in practice. NAVA is particularly concerned about the implications for Disabled artists and arts workers, including access to the flexible supports that enable people to work, train, maintain a professional practice, participate in and or attend exhibitions and events.
Disabled artists, arts workers, carers and support workers can provide important evidence about how the proposed rules may operate in practice and what is needed to ensure people can continue to work, maintain an artistic practice and participate in the arts.
Image credit
Illustration by Emily Johnson
ID: Drawing of two hands holding pencils against a bright green background.
