Cultural Data Online is the website of the Statistics Working Group. Established in 1985, the Statistics Working Group supports a national program of cultural data collection, research and analysis. It aims to inform policy, advocacy and decision making by enhancing the quality, range and availability of relevant cultural statistics.

The Statistics Working Group commissions a range of statistical research work and produces publications that can be viewed, downloaded or ordered in hard copy from the Cultural Data Online website.

The group promotes the collection of high quality data within the cultural industry, supporting the development of national standards for data collection.

It provides advice to the Cultural Ministers Council, the forum of Australian Government, and Australian state government and New Zealand ministers responsible for the arts and culture.

The Statistics Working Group works closely with the Australian Bureau of Statistics, funding research by the Bureau’s National Centre for Culture and Recreation Statistics.