The Doctor of Philosophy (Creative Arts) is Australia's highest academic qualification in the creative arts disciplines, sitting at Level 10 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. It is a research-intensive higher degree by research (HDR) that allows candidates to pursue an advanced, original project within areas such as visual art, creative writing, drama, screen production, digital media, music composition, performance, or design. Unlike traditional coursework doctorates, the PhD (Creative Arts) is largely self-directed: candidates develop, implement, and communicate an independent research project under the guidance of an academic supervisor, culminating in either a conventional thesis of approximately 80,000–100,000 words, or — uniquely to creative arts — a combination of creative work (exhibition, performance, screenplay, manuscript, or digital artefact) paired with a written exegesis of 25,000–50,000 words that contextualises and critically analyses the creative output. Central to the program is a sustained balance between studio or creative practice and the conceptual and theoretical concerns that underpin artistic research.

The course is designed for practising artists, writers, performers, designers, and arts professionals who wish to deepen their creative practice, contribute original knowledge to their field, and develop the analytical and research skills required for leadership in academia or industry. Candidates explore research areas such as practice-led inquiry, contemporary aesthetics, cultural theory, digital arts, socially engaged practice, and interdisciplinary methodologies. Employers and partners of graduates span a wide spectrum: universities and research institutions, government arts bodies such as Creative Australia (formerly Australia Council for the Arts), national and state galleries and museums, screen and media production companies, public libraries and cultural institutions, arts councils, publishing houses, theatre and performing arts companies, and the broader creative economy. The qualification is recognised nationally and internationally as the benchmark credential for academic appointments and senior research roles in the creative sector.

Admission to a PhD (Creative Arts) in Australia typically requires completion of an approved prior degree with a strong research component. The most common pathway is a Bachelor's degree with First Class or Upper Second Class Honours (Class IIA or above) in a relevant creative arts discipline, where the honours program included a substantial supervised research or creative project — generally equivalent to at least 25% of a full-time academic year. Alternatively, applicants may hold a Research Master's degree (Master of Philosophy or equivalent) where at least two-thirds of the program comprised a supervised research thesis or creative work. In some cases, a high-achieving coursework Master's degree with evidence of research at Distinction level or above may satisfy entry requirements, at the discretion of the relevant school or faculty. A combination of qualifications and professional creative arts experience may also be considered as equivalent to minimum academic requirements by certain institutions.

All applicants are required to identify a suitable academic supervisor before applying, and most institutions expect candidates to submit a research proposal or statement of creative intent outlining the proposed project, its scholarly significance, and its methodology. For creative arts PhDs, applicants may also be required to submit a portfolio of creative work demonstrating the quality and scope of their practice, accompanied by a critical discussion of that work. English language proficiency is mandatory for all applicants: international students typically require an IELTS overall score of 6.5–7.0 (with no band below 6.0), or equivalent qualifications such as TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic. Domestic applicants whose primary education was in English are generally exempt from English language testing. Australian citizens, permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens may be eligible for a full tuition fee exemption under the Australian Government's Research Training Program (RTP), covering up to four years of full-time equivalent doctoral study.