The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Creative Practice is Australia's highest research degree for creative arts practitioners. It combines a substantial portfolio of original creative work with a written research thesis or exegesis, together making an original contribution to knowledge in the field. Students engage in innovative, creative research that expands understanding of the cultural and social world, applying the knowledge, skills and methodologies developed as a practitioner within a broader framework of critical enquiry and scholarly analysis. The degree typically takes three to four years full-time and spans disciplines such as visual art, design, architecture, creative writing, drama, screen and digital media, music, performance, and interdisciplinary arts practice.

This degree is designed for experienced creative practitioners, emerging researchers, and artists who wish to push the boundaries of their discipline through rigorous academic inquiry. Candidates are expected to generate a new body of ideas-based or creative work (the Project) alongside a written component (the Dissertation or Exegesis) that together form an original contribution to knowledge. Unlike a conventional PhD, the creative practice doctorate recognises creative output itself as a form of research, allowing practitioners to investigate complex questions through making, performing, designing, and writing. Students work closely with expert supervisors and are immersed in dynamic research cultures within creative arts faculties.

Graduates of a PhD in Creative Practice are sought by a wide range of employers including universities and TAFE institutions (as academics, lecturers, and researchers), government arts agencies such as the Australia Council for the Arts and state arts bodies, galleries, museums, cultural institutions, broadcasters, publishing houses, design firms, think tanks, and the broader creative industries. The qualification also supports graduates who wish to build independent careers as professional artists, writers, directors, curators, or consultants, with the doctoral credential enhancing credibility, grant eligibility, and industry standing.

Entry into a PhD in Creative Practice in Australia typically requires an honours degree (first class or second class upper, equivalent to a weighted average mark of around 70% or above) in a relevant creative arts discipline, or a completed Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Creative Arts, or Master of Philosophy with a substantial research or creative practice component. Some institutions also consider applicants who have a strong portfolio of published or professionally exhibited creative work alongside a bachelor's degree, recognising that professional experience and creative achievement can demonstrate research readiness. A research proposal outlining the intended creative project, its theoretical framework, and its contribution to the field is generally required, as is identification of a suitable academic supervisor prior to application.

For applicants entering through a creative practice pathway, a portfolio of published or exhibited creative work — such as books, films, art exhibitions, performances, or design projects — is typically required alongside a critical discussion demonstrating a scholarly approach to investigating creative works. Some programs also require substantial industry or work experience in which the applicant has planned and executed projects with a high level of independence. International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements, typically an IELTS overall score of 6.5 to 7.0 (with no band below 6.0), or equivalent in TOEFL, PTE, or Cambridge qualifications, and must arrange an appropriate student visa and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Domestic applicants may also be eligible for Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships to support their studies.