A new report from Western Sydney University's Centre for Western Sydney reveals that, with the right investment, Western Sydney's creative industries could quadruple in size, contributing an additional $6.4 billion per annum in economic output, creating over 24,000 new jobs and further enhancing the region's position as a leading creative hub.
In collaboration with Western Sydney Creative and the City of Parramatta, the study highlights the economic and cultural value of Western Sydney's creative sector, outlining strategic opportunities to strengthen these assets and foster sustainable growth in the region's creative economy.
Drawing on economic analysis, the report identifies several emerging specialisations in Western Sydney, with the Creative and Performing Arts contributing $124 million to the region's economy, followed by Motion Picture and Sound Recording at $99 million, and Internet Publishing at $50 million, which could be further advanced.
Co-author of Unleashing Creativity: Strategies for Growing Western Sydney's Creative Industries, Dr Angela Smith from the Centre for Western Sydney said that as one of Australia's most culturally diverse and rapidly growing regions, Western Sydney boasts a rich array of creative talent, innovative enterprises and a vibrant cultural scene.
"Western Sydney's creative sector is growing and incredibly diverse, yet it faces significant barriers to realising its full potential," said Dr Smith.
"The region has not received the same level of investment in its creative and cultural sectors as Eastern Sydney, leading to significant inequities in opportunities, infrastructure, and creative spaces that have restricted the success of Western Sydney's creative industries sector.
"There's a growing appetite to feature Western Sydney's creatives on the Eastern and Central Sydney stages, but this report shows that Western Sydney is not just a feeder to other areas—it's a cultural destination in its own right.
"Western Sydney is a vibrant creative centre, deserving of recognition and investment on its own terms."
This new research follows on from the State of the Arts in Western Sydney report released in 2023, which found that the region only received 3.4 per cent of federal funds between 2015-2023, while Eastern Sydney received 23 per cent comparatively, despite having similar population sizes.
The report identifies critical challenges facing Western Sydney's creatives, including escalating housing costs that are pricing many artists out of the city. The lack of affordable housing and dedicated creative spaces in the region limits opportunities for local creatives to work, collaborate, and thrive within their own communities.
"Converting existing underutilised spaces, investing in co-location and integrating creative spaces into new developments could help address the challenge of creative space" added Dr Smith.
Unleashing Creativity makes five key recommendations to support the region's creative economy, highlighting roles that various stakeholders, including state and local governments, could play:
- Develop a skilled and diverse creative workforce – Invest in training, mentorship, and pathways to retain and cultivate local talent.
- Expand and improve creative spaces and infrastructure – Address the shortage of affordable, accessible spaces to foster community growth and industry collaboration.
- Leverage regional expertise and specialisations – Build on local strengths in fast-growing sectors like Creative and Performing Arts.
- Support industry ecosystems and growth – Strengthen local supply chains and reduce reliance on imported services.
- Maximise positive impact through data and research – Use comprehensive data collection to guide strategic decisions and showcase the sector's economic impact.
The report also highlights an increase in the number of Western Sydney residents holding creative qualifications, with over 35,000 qualified in creative industries in 2021—an increase of 6,500 since 2016. Despite this, Western Sydney's creative workforce represents just 1.3 per cent of local employment compared to 3.4 per cent in other parts of Sydney, with many workers commuting to higher-paying roles in the city's east.
Director of the University's Western Sydney Creative and co-author of the report, Dolla Merrillees, highlights that meaningful support and investment will result in substantial economic and cultural development.
"Creative careers require more than just artistic skill—they also demand business, marketing, and management expertise," said Ms Merrillees.
"Tailored training and mentorship are crucial for bridging skill gaps and supporting entrepreneurial success. With strategic support, Western Sydney's creative industries can drive economic development, generate jobs, and enrich the cultural fabric of not just Sydney, but Australia."
