The Victorian Government has cut all state funding to Writers Victoria, stripping the 37-year-old organisation of the $150,000 it received annually.
The Victorian Government has cut all state funding to Writers Victoria, stripping the 37-year-old organisation of the $150,000 it received annually.
Through Creative Victoria, the government announced that Writers Victoria's annual funding would be reduced by 100 per cent. Victoria and Tasmania are now the only two states in Australia that do not fund a local writers' centre. They are also the only two home to Australian UNESCO Cities of Literature, Melbourne and Hobart.
Writers Victoria, which serves about 3,000 members, was given emergency funding until June 2026. Unless other financial backers are found, the organisation will not be able to pay wages, cover rent, honour contracts with tutors, or provide professional assistance, and will shut down.
Patrick, a young Melbourne writer working on his debut novel, said the decision had left him disheartened. “Writers Victoria has been a genuine support network for emerging writers—losing that funding sends a pretty clear message about where literature sits on this government's list of priorities.”
The cuts are part of a broader contraction of arts funding in Victoria. The Creative Enterprise Program funding pool has been reduced from $21.2 million in the 2022–25 period to $17.9 million for 2026–29, and the number of organisations receiving grants has dropped from 93 to 81.
Every other mainland state and territory funds their peak writers' body. Queensland Writers Centre receives $800,000 from their government. Meanwhile, Writers Victoria was asking for just $147,500 per annum.
Writers Victoria chair Janice Gobey launched a petition to the Victorian Parliament calling on the government to reverse the decision. It garnered over 10,000 signatures.
While the petition was heard, no action has been taken. Writers Victoria is now pivoting to philanthropy and donations to survive.
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