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06/05/2026
The Australian Government is consulting on Australia’s next National Cultural Policy — and APA members have an important opportunity to make the case for Australian books publishing. Join us by making a submission by 24 May.
As part of a whole-of-sector call for a National Plan for Books and Reading, the APA is asking the next National Cultural Policy to engage with publishing as a core cultural industry.
Publishers invest in the development, production, marketing, distribution, licensing and discovery of Australian books. This investment helps Australian stories, knowledge and ideas reach readers, schools, libraries, bookshops and international markets.
But publishers face growing barriers to investing in new Australian content and ensuring Australian books are discovered. Rising costs, a small domestic market, changing discovery channels, copyright and AI issues, and accessibility requirements all affect the capacity of publishers to invest and innovate.
introduce regional communities to the benefits of reading through live literature events with Australian authors.
What the APA is asking for
APA’s submission recommends that the next National Cultural Policy include targeted measures to strengthen Australian publishing, including:
- an Australian Book Fund to support new Australian works, First Nations publishing, culturally significant books, literary journals, promotion, discoverability and accessibility;
- increased support for Public Lending Right and Educational Lending Right;
- creative industries tax offsets or equivalent incentives for book publishing;
- investment in national book data, metadata, rights and supply-chain infrastructure;
- a dedicated Books Australia export and rights program;
- funding for accessible publishing and inclusive discoverability; copyright and AI settings based on consent, licensing, fair payment, transparency and enforcement;
- a stronger role for Writing Australia, with major books-and-reading measures funded separately and at the scale required.
Together, these measures would support investment in Australian books, author and illustrator income, publisher reinvestment, lawful licensing, accessibility, exports, education, democratic life and public debate.
Read APA's submission
Download APA’s submission summary to the 2026 National Cultural Policy consultation.
Make a submission
APA members can make a submission through the National Cultural Policy consultation website.
Your submission does not need to be long. It can speak from your own experience as a publisher: the risks you take, the costs you face, the value of Australian books, and the practical policy measures that would help your business invest in Australian authors and reach more readers.
To help you prepare your submission, APA has provided:
Every submission helps demonstrate the breadth, value and urgency of Australian publishing.
Submissions are open until 11:59PM (AEST) Sunday 24 May 2026.