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about us

The Australian Festival Association (AFA) is the leading voice for Australia's festival industry.

The AFA plays a crucial role in the success and sustainability of festivals nationwide.

​As the only established not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for the festival sector, the AFA drives industry development and works to ensure that festivals remain vibrant cultural events across Australia.​

Championing Festival Rights

Driving policy changes that secure the future of festivals across the nation.
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Guiding the Future of Australian Festivals

board

Meet the leaders behind our advocacy and support for Australia’s festival scene. With deep industry experience, our board drives our mission to strengthen and elevate festivals across the country.

Supporting Festivals Every Step of the Way

staff

From daily operations to long-term strategy, our staff brings passion and expertise to every aspect of our work. Get to know the faces behind our mission.

achievements

01

NSW Music Festivals Act Review

After years of AFA advocacy, the NSW Music Festivals Act was amended, removing the restrictive “Subject Festival” label and granting organisers the right to appeal unreasonable user-pays fees. 

02

New Revive Live Grants by Federal Government

The AFA’s advocacy led to the Revive Live funding being extended for one year in 2024-25 Budget. Offering up to $250,000 per event, this funding provided crucial financial support to festivals and live music organisers as they faced rising costs and economic challenges — directly addressing key issues we have long championed. 

03

First-ever national reserach into Australia's festival sector.

Soundcheck & Soundcheck II are groundbreaking reports delivered by Creative Australia was the AFA’s key ask in our submission to the National Cultural Policy, Revive. This data will serve as a powerful advocacy tool, and is a baseline to shape future government policy, encouraging streamlined regulations across states and territories, ensuring more support for festivals nationwide.

04

NSW Music Festival Roundtable

We co-chair the legislated NSW Music Festival Roundtable with equal Government and Industry representatives, providing a forum for members to engage with regulatory agencies.

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