Creative industries associations

You can find suppliers, make contacts, and generate new business by attending events, seminars and networking opportunities run by your industry association. They can help you to connect with other businesses in the creative industries.

Industry organisations usually provide members with key information and updates (i.e. how a change to legislation affects your business), run training and education programs, and lobby on behalf of your industry to influence government policy.

Contact your industry association to find out how they can help you to run your business.

Architecture

• Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) – peak body for architecture in Australia. Members receive information on the latest ideas, technology and trends, detailed advice and a range of industry publications. The institute offers professional development opportunities online and through a program of state and national events.
• Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) – peak organisation for Australian landscape architects, overseeing professional recognition of registered landscape architects. Members receive networking opportunities, invitations to industry events, professional advice and industry publications.

Dance

• Ausdance QLD - the peak body for all dance in Queensland. They serve dance students, teachers, studio owners, companies and community organisations of all ages, styles and traditions.They provide resources and training for safe dance practice and human resources activities. Ausdance QLD respects First Nations’ cultures and is guided by First Nations’ membership in resources for this community.

Design

• Design Institute of Australia (DIA) – Australia's professional membership body for designers and design businesses. When you become a member you receive support, networking, services and information, as well as connections with colleagues from many industry areas.

Digital media

• Digital + Technology Collective (formerly Australian Interactive Media Industry Association) – network of Australia's digital experts: agencies, organisations and individuals that provide services and solutions in the digital and technology space.

Fashion

• Australian Fashion Council – not-for-profit organisation representing the fashion design industry at a national level. It provides resources for design businesses, industry data and statistics, and maintains professional standards.

Fashion – jewellery

• Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA) – educates and updates members of the gem and jewellery industry, and the general public, about all aspects of gemstones and their substitutes.

Film

• Australian Film Institute (AFI)/Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) – plays a central role in connecting the Australian film and television industry with audiences. AFI members receive exclusive access to AFI events, services and discounts throughout the year.
• Screen Producers Australia (SPA) – represents Australian independent film and television producers on all issues affecting the business and creative aspects of screen production. Members include television, feature film, animation, documentary, TV commercial and interactive media production companies as well post-production, finance, distribution and legal companies.

Graphic design

• Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) – peak national organisation for professional graphic designers, AGDA promotes the value of the profession to the wider community. AGDA offers members a program of awards, exhibitions, seminars and professional development activities.

Landscape architecture

• Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) – peak organisation for Australian landscape architects, overseeing professional recognition of registered landscape architects. Members receive networking opportunities, invitations to industry events, professional advice and industry publications.

Marketing

• Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) – professional association for marketers, AMI offers members an extensive professional development, event and networking program as well as access to preferential rates and discounts. AMI is the voice of the marketing profession.

Performing arts

• Stage Queensland – peak body for performing arts centres in Queensland, supporting members to provide quality arts and cultural experiences to their communities. It provides members with industry information, networking opportunities, professional development activities, facility promotion, research, and best-practice venue resources.

Photography

• Photographic Society of Queensland (PSQ) – represents over 50 affiliated photography clubs in Queensland.
• Professional Photographers Association Queensland (PPAQ) – representing and supporting professional photographers for nearly 100 years.

Publishing

• Australian Publishers Association (APA) – peak industry body for Australian book, journal and electronic publishers. APA protects and promotes the interests of Australian publishers and provides members with advice, publications, networking opportunities and invitations to industry events.

Urban design

• Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) – national body representing planning and the planning profession. It serves and guides planning professionals, and promotes excellence in planning through education, communication and professional development. Members receive networking opportunities, industry publications, invitations to industry events and access to professional development programs.
• Urban Design Alliance of Australia (Queensland) – represents the peak built environment bodies and stakeholders in urban design. It is a member-based organisation which provides a range of benefits and support to industry professionals including industry publications, monthly forums, specific design workshops and annual symposiums.
• Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) – peak body for Australia's urban development industry. Members receive updates and publications on industry news and trends and benefit from networking opportunities and professional support.

Visual arts

• National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) – national peak body for the visual arts, craft and design sector. Members benefit from expert advice, referrals, resources, professional representation and development, grant programs and other services.

Web design

• Australian Web Industry Association (AWIA) – peak industry body for web design professionals, businesses and students. Members enjoy industry discounts and are invited to attend industry events and contribute to networking forums.

Writing

• Australian Society of Authors (ASA) – professional association for Australia's literary creators. The ASA supports authors' professional interests through setting minimum rates of pay and conditions for writers and illustrators; publishing books, contracts, papers and free information sheets for emerging and established authors as well as working with policy makers in areas such as copyright, moral rights and taxation.
• Australian Writers' Guild (AWG) – professional association for Australian performance writers including film, television, theatre, radio and digital media. The guild works to improve professional standards, conditions and remuneration for Australian performance writers, protect and advance the creative rights of members, and to promote the Australian cultural voice.

Also consider...

• Visit Screen Australia and Screen Queensland for information about film development funding.
• Use our market research kit to find key economic, demographic and statistical information about your industry.