Writing Australia has outlined its first new investment opportunities for 2026, alongside new partnerships and targeted investments to strengthen Australia’s literature sector.
Writing Australia has also confirmed nominations for the inaugural National Poet Laureate will open soon, marking the next step in establishing the new national role to serve as an ambassador for language, imagination and poetry in public life.
Established under Revive, the Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy, Writing Australia will provide strategic investments to boost and strengthen the sector. Its first suite of programs and partnerships supports publishers and literary organisations to build audiences, grow markets, and make careers for writers and illustrators more viable.
“Writing Australia is investing in the infrastructure that supports Australian writing to thrive,” said Director of Writing Australia, Wenona Byrne. “Our investments will help writers publish, promote and tour their work, while also giving readers more opportunities to discover great Australian authors.”
Some of the Writing Australia opportunities set to open in February 2026 include:
- Australian Publishing and Promotion Fund, – a $2 million investment for independent publishers. The Australian Publishing and Promotion Fund will support independent publishers to be competitive and innovative in discovering, developing and promoting Australian writers.
- Literary Journals Capacity Building Fund – supporting journals to build capability, stability and reach.
- Writers’ Festival Author Travel Fund – supporting writers to connect with audiences through festivals and touring in regional areas and capital cities.
Writing Australia has also confirmed new strategic partnerships and targeted investments for 2026, supporting discoverability, market development and stronger connections between Australian writers, publishers and readers.
These include two industry-led strategic grants, administered by the Australian Publishers Association:
- data and analytics projects to strengthen discoverability and market insights
- new delivery partnerships supporting writers, readers and children’s literature.
Writing Australia’s existing opportunities will continue, with increased investment in literature projects through Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups, Arts Projects for Organisations and Fellowships. Applications for the latest arts projects investment are open now until 3 March 2026.
For more information about Writing Australia programs, visit: www.creative.gov.au for details.
Image: white book on brown wooden table – photo by Elisa Calvet B. on Unsplash