Victorian Sector Census
ABOUT THE CENSUS
The inaugural Victorian Sector Census is now open!
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.
We’ve never had the whole picture. Now is our chance to build it.
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. Every public collecting and presenting organisation is 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, guide future planning, and help AMaGA Victoria shape future programs, services and professional development.
Together, we will bring the full breadth of the sector into view.
PGAV PARTNERSHIP & CENSUS REPORT
AMaGA Victoria is partnering with the Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) to capture evidence and support advocacy for the Victorian GLAM sector. While the Sector Census aims to capture a statewide picture of presenting and collecting organisations in their diversity, PGAV's Benchmarking Survey provides detailed analysis of the public gallery sector. The information gathered through both processes will inform a joint report to be co-authored by AMaGA Victoria and PGAV.
The PGAV National Benchmarking Survey for Public Galleries 2026 captures the impact, diversity and value of Australia’s public gallery sector. Managed by PGAV, in addition to the Victorian Census Report, the data will inform the 2026 Australian Public Galleries Snapshot and support local and national advocacy, including the Australian Government’s new National Cultural Policy. Your participation helps ensure public galleries are visible, valued and represented in policy, funding and decision-making. All responses are confidential and presented in the aggregate.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Eligibility
The Census is open to all non-commercial collecting and presenting organisations across Victoria, regardless of size, staffing model or resources.
Example organisations include public museums and galleries, archives, zoos, botanical gardens, heritage organisations, historical societies, libraries, Cultural Centres, science centres, RSLs, and any other organisations that acquire, conserve and exhibit arts and cultural material.
Ways to Complete
Complete the online census form
Complete the PDF census form and return to enquiries@amagavic.org.au
Book an appointment for assistance with completing the census by calling (03) 7042 4094 or emailing enquiries@amagavic.org.au
Anticipated Timeline
Opens: Wednesday 15 July
Closes: Sunday 30 August
Sector Briefing Webinar: Wednesday 30 September
Final Report Published: Thursday 15 October
Preparation
Prior to completing, please take a moment to review the Census template. 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 the census. Each section is available as a separate template, making it easy to divide responses among the people in your organisation best placed to answer. Guidance on who might complete each section is included at the start of each template.
Completion time varies with your organisation's size, complexity, and data availability. The average is approximately 45-60 minutes.
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.
INFORMATION SESSION
Delivered on Monday 20 July, this information session covers everything you need to know about the inaugural Sector Census.
Presenters: AMaGA Victoria’s Vice President Monica Cronin and Executive Director Ash Robertson,