Labor calls on the government to better help Australia's struggling arts sector through coronavirus

The federal opposition says the arts sector needs a tailored wage subsidy program to ensure the industry can survive the coronavirus pandemic.

Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese speaks to the media during a press conference at the Enmore Theatre. Source: AAP

Labor wants the federal government to reframe the JobKeeper wage scheme for the arts sector so it doesn't fall flat during the coronavirus pandemic.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese on Friday accused the government of having "contempt" for Australia's $111 billion-a-year arts industry and called for the JobKeeper scheme to be extended to creatives currently unable to access support.

"These are people who in the crisis of earlier this year, arising from the bushfires, gave up their talent, gave up their time, donating it back to put back into the community," he told a media conference at Sydney's Enmore Theatre.

Labor's arts spokesperson Tony Burke (left) and Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese. Source: AAP

"We need to make sure the venues can survive, that people will stay in the industry, because otherwise they'll be lost to us."

Labor's arts spokesman Tony Burke said people in the industry aren't eligible for the wage subsidy program because the nature of the sector makes the 12 months with one employer requirement difficult to achieve.

He said the government could instead change the rules for the industry so workers can base the 12 months on forward contracts, how long they've been in the sector, or through their relationship with their agents.

"There are a few different ways they can do it. I'm relaxed about which option they do," Mr Burke told ABC radio on Friday.

"At the moment the option they have chosen is to do nothing."

The government has previously said it has to rule the line somewhere and that the unemployment benefit JobSeeker is available for those who don't qualify for JobKeeper.

But Labor says the wage subsidy program is optimal because it helps workers remain connected with their employers.

Pressure on the government to extend the scheme has increased since it was announced they overcalculated the cost of the program by $60 billion last week. 

Unions and advocacy groups argued there was "no excuse" not to use the leftover funds to extend the payments to groups, such as the arts industry, that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. 

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With AAP.