We wanted to share a brief update on how ASME is advocating for you and for the future of music education in Australia.
You may have seen the recent national media coverage highlighting the sharp decline in creative arts enrolments and the closure of university arts programs. This public attention reflects what many of you are already experiencing in schools and tertiary settings.
Recent research has also reinforced these concerns. A new paper in the Australian Journal of Education, titled The Polycrisis for Arts and Creative Education in Australia, draws together national data showing interconnected declines across school, university, and vocational arts pathways. The authors warn that without policy change, Australia’s creative education pipeline and cultural workforce are at risk.
This week, on behalf of members, ASME has written to Jason Clare, Minister for Education, Tony Burke, Minister for the Arts, and Susan Templeman, Special Envoy for the Arts, calling for bold and immediate federal action to address these challenges.
We are advocating for reform of the Job-ready Graduates scheme, which has disproportionately increased costs for arts and creative degrees, contributing to enrolment declines. We are also supporting the call from National Advocates for Arts Education for a national parliamentary inquiry into arts education and training, and for parity of recognition and investment for Arts education alongside STEM in schools, universities, and teacher education.
Collective advocacy can shape policy, particularly when it reflects the lived experience of educators across the country. Your voice matters. We encourage you to consider supporting this work by taking action.
- Sign the change.org petition
- Share the social media posts from ASME on Facebook and LinkedIn
- Write your own letter:
- Your local MP (find them here)
- The Hon. Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education: clare@education.gov.au
- The Hon. Tony Burke MP, Minister for the Arts: Burke.MP@aph.gov.au
- Ms Susan Templeman MP, Special Envoy for the Arts: Templeman.MP@aph.gov.au
You can use this guide to help you, but personalised letters are the most powerful. Even a short email makes a difference.
Our advocacy is grounded in your daily work. Music education supports student engagement, wellbeing, creativity, cultural identity, and connection. We are making that case clearly and consistently at the national level.
Warm regards,
Rachael
National President
Australian Society for Music Education
