About the CMC programme
Aims
Funding
Selection process
Copyright funding
Review of CMC Programme
Further funding announced
CMC Guidelines 
(122.36 KB)
CMC Contact Details
Cooperative Multimedia Centres (CMCs) were established to answer the challenge of creating a dynamic Australian multimedia industry through research, education and provision of specialist services to the industry. The Australian Government initiative instigated the development of six CMCs, which are collaborative enterprises between organisations in the education and training sectors and other public and private sector organisations involved in design, production, technology, publishing or promotion in Australia’s multimedia industry.
The six CMCs are:
The CMC Programme aims to support the development of a competitive, internationally successful multimedia (especially interactive multimedia) industry, by supporting collaborative approaches to meeting its skill needs and acting as a resource for the industry at large.
CMCs are incorporated bodies formed by consortia of organisations drawn from the education sectors, industry and the arts/cultural communities. The role of CMCs is to promote the development of collaborative links between education and training, business and creative communities. The Centres support skill formation and bring other benefits to those involved in producing and distributing multimedia.
The ultimate aim of the Programme is to ensure the strong presence of Australian content in the multimedia industry.
Under the CMC Programme, six CMCs were established over 1995–96 with the Australian Government's funding of $1.375 million being provided to each of the CMCs for the 1996-1998 period. A review of the operations of the CMCs was conducted during 1998. The findings of the review indicated that the CMCs were making a significant contribution to the Australian multimedia industry. On the basis of the review, the Government approved further funding at the same level for the 1999-2002 period. The CMC Programme is managed by DEST Higher Education Group and funded under section 23 BA of the Higher Education Funding Act 1988.
CMCs are also receiving substantial cash and in-kind support from their consortium members and from other sources such as State Governments. Typically, CMCs are receiving about three times as much support from non-CMC Programme sources as they are receiving from the CMC Programme.
Selection process
Two competitive assessment rounds were conducted in 1995 to identify the consortia to be invited to establish CMCs. Consortia were asked to prepare their submissions after careful consideration of the CMC Programme Guidelines.
Submissions were assessed by an independent assessment panel chaired by Professor Ralph Slatyer. Acting on the panel’s advice, the previous Minister offered funding to six consortia, providing $1.375 million per annum over three years to each of the CMCs.
Copyright funding
In November 1996 in a speech to open the new premises of Access Australia CMC, the then Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Senator Amanda Vanstone, announced further funding for the CMCs in recognition of the need for a strategic and coordinated approach to multimedia copyright issues.
Review of CMC programme
In October 1997 DEST sought expressions of interest to conduct a review of the six Cooperative Multimedia Centres.
Further funding announced
In July 1998 the then Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Dr David Kemp, after considering the recommendations of the Review, announced further funding of up to $33 million over four years for the CMC Programme.
CMC guidelines (122.4 KB)
CMC CEO contact details
Access OnLine Pty Ltd
Managing Director
Ph: 02 9467 5000
Fax: 02 9467 5020
Address: 112 Alexander St
Crows Nest NSW 2065
WWW Address: http://www.accessonline.com.au 
eMERGE
Chief Executive Officer
Ph: 03 9605 5000
Fax: 03 9605 5001
Address:
Level 2, 455 Bourke St
Melbourne Vic 3000
WWW Address: http://www.emerge.edu.au
IMAGO Multimedia Centre Ltd
Chief Executive Officer
Ph: 08 9321 2228
Fax: 08 9321 4458
Address:
98 Colin St
WEST PERTH WA 6005
PO Box 1307
West Perth Business Centre
WEST PERTH WA 6872
Impart Corporation
Chief Executive Officer
Ph: 07 3321 2957
Fax: 07 3221 7986
Address:
Level 14, Hall Chadwick Centre
Cnr Edward & Margaret Streets
GPO Box 1015
BRISBANE QLD 4001
WWW Address: http://www.impart.com.au
Ngapartji Multimedia Centre
Chief Executive Officer
Ph: 08 8235 4001
Fax: 08 8235 4002
Address:
211 Rundle Street
ADELAIDE SA 5000
QANTM Australia CMC Pty Ltd
Chief Executive Officer
Ph: 07 3017 4333
Fax: 07 3003 0953
Address:
PO Box 477
Brisbane Albert Street 4002
WWW Address: http://www.qantm.com.au
Administering area: Information, Innovation and Infrastructure Policy Unit
Phone: 02 6240 7639