Victorian Sector Census

ABOUT THE CENSUS

Victoria is home to more than 1,300 museums, galleries, heritage organisations, Cultural Centres and community collecting organisations. Collectively, they care for more than 44 million objects, preserve cultural heritage, support tourism and local economies, create opportunities for learning and creativity, and strengthen communities across the state.

Parts of our sector are well documented. Others are nearly invisible.

AMaGA Victoria is thrilled to launch its inaugural Sector Census. Open for submissions from 15 July 2026, it will provide the first comprehensive picture of Victoria's collecting sector: who we are, what we contribute, the challenges we face, and what we need to thrive into the future. All collecting and presenting organisations are invited to participate.

Conducted every four years, the Sector Census will establish a benchmark for measuring change over time and provide the evidence needed to strengthen advocacy, inform policy, support funding decisions, and guide future planning. The findings will be published in a freely available report, giving AMaGA Victoria the data to advocate more effectively for the sector while equipping organisations with evidence to support their own funding, planning, and advocacy.

Together, we will bring the full breadth of the sector into view.

Sector Census | Opening 15 July

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Eligibility

The Census is open to all collecting and presenting organisations across Victoria, regardless of size, staffing model or resources.

Preparation

  • Prior to completing, please take a moment to review the Census template (available from 15 July). This is a great tool to help you gather the information required, as well as to collaborate and prepare your responses in advance of entering them into the digital form.

  • We encourage a collaborative approach to completing this census. Different sections may be best suited to different people within your organisation, and you'll find respondent recommendations at the start of each section.

Ways to Complete

Confidentiality

We understand that some of the information requested in this census is sensitive. All responses are treated as strictly confidential. Data is held securely by AMaGA Victoria and will never be attributed to individual organisations. All published findings will present data in aggregate form only.

Anticipated Timeline

  • Opens: Wednesday 15 July

  • Closes: Sunday 30 August

  • Sector Briefing Webinar: Wednesday 30 September

  • Final Report Published: Thursday 15 October

CENSUS STRUCTURE

  • This section covers your organisation’s identity, type, operating hours, and visitation.

    Responses will be used to segment findings across all subsequent sections and to build a profile of the Victorian museum, gallery, and community collecting sector for advocacy and planning purposes.

  • This section captures governance structures, policy frameworks, and organisational sustainability.

    Responses will be used to assess sector-wide governance capacity and identify where support is most needed.

  • This section captures paid workforce size, composition, and remuneration, as well as volunteer engagement and training needs.

    Responses will be used to quantify the sector’s workforce contribution, benchmark pay against comparable professional roles, and identify workforce pressures and support needs.

  • Victoria’s museums, galleries, and community collecting organisations hold an extraordinary breadth of cultural, artistic, scientific, and historical material, much of it undocumented at a sector-wide level.

    Responses will help build a clearer picture of what is held across the state, and strengthen the case for the investment and support collections deserve.

  • This section captures revenue, funding stability, and economic contribution.

  • This section captures the tenure, condition, accessibility, and infrastructure needs of your organisation’s facilities.

    Responses will be used to quantify the sector’s capital works needs and to support advocacy for building and infrastructure investment.

  • This section captures your organisation’s current digital systems, capability, and challenges.

    Responses will be used to identify sector-wide digital capacity gaps and inform capability-building programs.

  • This section captures your organisation’s public engagement activities, audience access practices, and engagement of visual artists/creatives.

    Responses will be used to demonstrate the sector’s community reach and contribution.

  • This section captures your organisation’s environmental sustainability practices, climate risk exposure, and support needs.

    Responses will be used to advocate for sector-wide sustainability support and to identify where guidance and resources are most needed.

  • This section captures your perspective on the future of the sector.

    Responses will be aggregated and used for advocacy and planning.

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