Access all areas: Createability expands and invites more organisations to champion inclusive employment – Building on the success of the breakthrough Createability Internship Program, Create NSW, Screen NSW and Sound NSW are increasing the investment and inviting organisations across NSW to become 2026 Createability host organisations.
Host organisations are supported to play a leadership role in breaking down employment barriers through paid internships for creative practitioners with disability or who are d/Deaf to provide accessible pathways to employment, training and professional development and gain invaluable industry experience. A total of $150,000 in funding will support an expanded range of host organisations from the Arts, screen industry, music industry, First Nations-led organisations and the creative industries.
Dedicated support aims to encourage applications from First Nations-led organisations, as well as those based in Western Sydney and regional NSW to join as arts and cultural hosts and offer meaningful, career-enhancing internship opportunities. This year organisations from the broader creative industries are invited to apply to host an intern in 2026. With more industry host organisations and new roles on offer, the 2026 program will expand the opportunities for Createability interns wishing to develop a broader range of skills and employment pathways across NSW.
In 2026, the program will offer the option of four longer internships of up to 8-weeks’ equivalent with select organisations (grants of $12,160), in addition to twelve 4-week equivalent roles (with grants of $6,080).
Following the selection of the 2026 host organisations, up to 16 interns with suitable skills, interests and experience will be carefully matched to each role through an application process, opening in late 2025.
The 2026 Createability Internship Program is delivered by Create NSW, Screen NSW and Sound NSW in partnership with disability advocacy organisation Accessible Arts NSW. In addition to grants, host organisations receive training from Accessible Arts to improve access and inclusion to remove the barriers that people with disability often face in the workplace.
In previous years, Createability host organisations have offered exciting roles varying from production and behind-the-scenes roles in the performing arts, to costume design and maker roles, marketing, event planning and community engagement and many more. These have been rewarding and life-changing opportunities, often leading to ongoing employment and other long-term positive outcomes.
Createability has proven to be a great opportunity for host organisations to learn from their interns and gain insights around access and inclusion, to deliver positive outcomes for their whole workforce. Leading creative industry organisations across regional NSW, Western Sydney and metropolitan Sydney which have benefited from the program include Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC – Compass and ABC Children and Family), Australian Music Airplay Project (Amrap), Cementa, Endemol Shine Australia, Erth Visual and Physical Inc, Outloud, Performance Space, SBS, Sydney Theatre Company, and Tantrum Youth Arts.
Kerri Glasscock, Executive Director Create NSW said:
“The Createability Internship Program clearly demonstrates that organisations can remove barriers to access and inclusion for creatives with disability by making small adjustments, which benefit everyone. We’re thrilled to be expanding our support to a wider range of organisations and increasing the investment.
“Over the years, Createability host organisations have found the program to be rewarding and many return year after year. I encourage all arts, cultural and creative industries organisations, especially those in regional NSW, Western Sydney, First Nations organisations and new creative industries organisations to get involved in supporting increased inclusivity across the sector.”
Kyas Hepworth, Head of Screen NSW said:
“Expanding Createability in 2026 is a positive step forward for access and inclusion across the creative industries. This program has delivered many great outcomes over the years by introducing passionate practitioners to screen industry hosts, who have benefitted immensely from the participants valuable talents, and created pathways and further opportunities within the screen sector.”
Jana Gibson, Acting Head of Sound NSW said:
“Sound NSW is excited to support this initiative again in 2026. It’s a great opportunity for both interns and organisations to build professional skills and safe spaces in workplaces, moving us closer to a more diverse and accessible music industry.”
Liz Martin, Accessible Arts CEO said:
“This ground-breaking internship program is delivering profound outcomes for organisations and interns alike, bringing us a step closer to a more diverse and dynamic creative industries sector. Accessible Arts is delighted to partner with Create NSW to deliver a bigger and more impactful Createability program in 2026. Increasing access and inclusion across the creative industries workforce is vital as it leads to greater access and inclusivity in the stories we tell for future generations.”
Vanessa Lloyd, CEO Performance Space said:
“The Createability Internship Program has been so positive for Performance Space – we have connected with some amazing people who we have then gone onto employ!”
Jennifer Collins – ABC Director, Screen said:
“ABC has hosted several interns through the Createability Internship Program since it began. Our interns have consistently been great contributors to our Screen team, including Play School, Kids Listen, Compass and more. Through Production Assistant and Researcher roles, they’ve brought passion, creativity, and the unique perspectives of their lived experience to our work.”
Applications for 2026 Createability Host Organisations are open until 20 October 2025.
For more information or to apply, visit create.nsw.gov.au
Media Release – Screen Australia
Link to Screen NSW HERE
TV Central Screen Australia content HERE
Access all areas: Createability expands and invites more organisations to champion inclusive employment
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