The Sharp Decline in Creative Arts Enrolments Across Australian Universities

Australia's higher education landscape is witnessing a profound shift as domestic commencing undergraduate enrolments in creative arts fields plummet. From a high of 32,489 students in 2015, numbers have fallen to 25,405 in 2024, marking a staggering 21.8 percent decrease. This trend persisted into 2023 with 25,372 enrolments, showing only marginal recovery despite overall domestic undergraduate commencements rising 3 percent to 270,283.

Total undergraduate enrolments in creative arts degrees stood at 75,595 in 2018 but dropped to 72,174 by 2023, a 4.5 percent decline. This contraction affects 30 out of 46 higher education providers, with some universities experiencing drops exceeding 50 percent over five years. Regional institutions bear the brunt, exemplified by Charles Sturt University seeing an 78.9 percent plunge and the University of Tasmania a 53 percent fall.

These figures, drawn from the Australian Department of Education's Selected Higher Education Statistics, underscore a crisis specific to creative arts—defined here as fields including performing arts, visual arts, graphic design, film, television, and media production—while broader domestic enrolments stabilize.

Government Policies at the Heart of the Enrolment Drop

The Job-ready Graduates (JRG) policy, introduced by the Morrison government in 2021, has been pinpointed as a primary catalyst. Aimed at aligning higher education funding with job market priorities, it dramatically hiked student contributions for non-STEM fields. Creative arts degrees saw fees rise 19 percent initially, escalating further to an annual $9,537 for performing or visual arts by 2026. In contrast, mathematics students pay just $4,738 yearly.

Arts, society, and culture degrees faced even steeper increases—116 percent short-term and up to 160 percent projected. This pricing structure, intended to subsidize priority areas like STEM with $75.6 million in dedicated initiatives, created disincentives for prospective creative arts students. Critics argue it devalues disciplines vital for innovation and cultural vitality, accelerating enrolment declines post-2021.

Funding models tied to student numbers exacerbate the issue: low enrolments trigger course viability thresholds, leading to cuts. Without parallel support for arts, unlike STEM's bolstered ecosystem, universities face revenue pressures unique to creative fields.

Disproportionate Impacts on Regional and Metropolitan Universities

Not all institutions fare equally. While regional universities like Charles Sturt and the University of Tasmania suffer severe losses, metropolitan powerhouses such as Macquarie University (+123 percent) and Curtin University (+224.3 percent) buck the trend through targeted programs or mergers. This polarization concentrates creative arts education in fewer urban centers, eroding access for rural students.

State breakdowns reveal Victoria leading course discontinuations with 21 closures since 2018, followed by Queensland (14) and New South Wales (12). Such uneven distribution risks widening educational inequities, particularly for low socioeconomic status and Indigenous students more reliant on local options.

A Wave of Course and Program Discontinuations

Between 2018 and 2025, 48 creative arts degrees were axed nationwide, alongside eight majors reduced. These closures often eliminate entire disciplinary pipelines in regions, severing school-to-university pathways. Universities like the Australian National University, University of Technology Sydney, and Macquarie are restructuring creative departments amid broader efficiencies.

The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) and National Arts and Education tertiary snapshot highlight photography, drama, and dance among hardest hit. Drama and dance saw the largest national drops in secondary feeders, compounding university pressures. Without intervention, this pruning threatens specialized expertise and infrastructure investments.

Why Students Are Steering Clear of Creative Arts Degrees

Prospective students cite multiple deterrents:

• Higher fees under JRG, perceived poor return on investment amid cost-of-living pressures.
• Job market misconceptions: despite creative industries contributing $67.4 billion to GDP (2.5 percent) and employing more than mining, arts grads face employability stigma.
• Secondary school declines: Year 12 arts participation fell 21 percent (2015-2023), with drama (-39 percent) and dance (-38 percent) plummeting due to scaling penalties lowering ATAR scores.
• Shift to 'job-ready' narratives favoring STEM, sidelining creativity's role in 21st-century skills like the 4Cs (creativity, communication, critical thinking, collaboration).

Women, comprising most arts students, prove particularly price-sensitive, amplifying gender imbalances in enrolment losses.

Ripple Effects on Australia's Creative Industries and Economy

The polycrisis—from school drops to university closures—threatens a cultural workforce shortage. Arts sectors employ 193,600, with 75 percent of artists applying skills beyond traditional roles (42 percent in education, 41 percent consulting). High public engagement (97 percent Australians interact with arts) underscores demand unmet by dwindling graduates.

Losses imperil the National Cultural Policy 'Revive,' targeting sector diversification. Reduced creative output risks positioning Australia as an 'artless country,' diminishing soft power, innovation, and GDP contributions. Universities lose diverse revenue streams, straining operations reliant on balanced portfolios.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Warnings from Experts and Leaders

Prof Sandra Gattenhof warns of an 'enormous decline in creative activity' within five years without leadership akin to STEM's. Co-author Dr John Nicholas Saunders laments risks to access, echoing 'artless country' fears. Universities Australia's Luke Sheehy deems JRG reform 'urgent,' hurting students and nation alike.

Sector bodies like NAAE urge action, highlighting contradictions with Alice Springs Declaration prioritizing creative individuals. For those eyeing academia, lecturer jobs in surviving programs offer stability amid flux. Guardian Analysis

Contradictions with National Priorities and Future Outlook

While Revive promises arts revival, JRG undermines it. OECD data shows Australian youth lagging in arts participation, forecasting pipeline droughts. Projections: sustained declines could halve creative graduates by 2030 absent reforms, clashing with workforce needs for adaptable creatives.

Positive notes: gainers like Curtin integrate arts with tech, hinting at hybrid models. Explore academic career advice for navigating this terrain.

Potential Solutions and Pathways Forward

Reversing decline demands multifaceted action:

• Fee reductions or lifetime earnings-based models per Australian Universities Accord.
• Targeted arts funding mirroring STEM's $75.6 million.
• Promote STEAM (STEM+Arts) curricula, showcasing employability—arts grads boast high innovation rates.
• Reform school scaling to value arts ATAR contributions.
• Industry-university partnerships for apprenticeships and micro-credentials.

Government must champion arts as Revive envisions. Aspiring professionals can browse Australian higher ed jobs or faculty positions in resilient programs. Dept of Education Statistics

Real-World Career Opportunities in Creative Arts

Beyond perceptions, creative arts open doors: film production, digital media, cultural policy, education. Grads thrive in consulting (41 percent), with transferable skills fueling sectors like advertising ($15 billion) and gaming. Platforms like higher-ed-jobs list roles from adjunct professors to creative directors.

Success stories: Macquarie's growth via industry ties. Future-proof by blending arts with AI ethics or sustainable design.

Photo by Nicholas Doherty on Unsplash

Looking Ahead: Rebuilding Australia's Creative Higher Education

The creative arts enrolment collapse signals urgency, but solutions abound. Reforms could restore balance, nurturing talent for a culturally rich Australia. Stakeholders must act to avert 'artless' fate. Check Rate My Professor, higher ed jobs, and career advice to engage today. For recruiters, post a job to attract top arts talent.