For Creative Australia grants and opportunities, please check each individual program page for more detailed information: Find investments & opportunities | Creative Australia
Creative Australia also has an applications FAQ and an assessment FAQ .
Music Australia
What is the purpose of Music Australia?
Music Australia is a dedicated new body within Creative Australia, which exists to support and invest in the Australian contemporary music industry. We empower artists, foster industry growth and enhance cultural impact through strategic investment programs and advocacy. Music Australia has been deliberately designed to reach into the commercial sectors, where traditional grants funding models have been limited.
Music Australia is responsible for supporting and promoting Australian contemporary music practice; and supporting and promoting the development of markets and audiences for Australian contemporary music practice.
As per Revive (the National Cultural Policy), Music Australia has been established to:
- grow the market for contemporary Australian music
- increase development of original music through investment in artistic creation
- deliver song writing and recording initiatives in schools
- develop new strategic partnerships within and beyond the music sector, including to undertake research and data collection around key issues, including festivals and venues
- provide ongoing support for Sounds Australia – Australia’s export music market development initiative
- support industry professionals to learn business and management skills
- provide central coordination around access to live music venues for bands and solo artists
- develop new co-investment agreements with states, territories and industry to deliver national sector-wide priorities, and
- create Community Music Hubs in high density living areas.
How do you support Australian music and the contemporary music industry?
Music Australia’s remit includes the broad ecosystem of contemporary Australian music, from creation and recording to live performance and market development, increasing the discoverability of Australian contemporary music and developing audiences.
In line with the aims of the Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy Revive, Music Australia provides support through a range of initiatives, including investment in projects, professional development, and strategic investment and partnerships.
Does Music Australia distribute grants and funding?
We surely do. View Music Australia’s current grants and opportunities.
You can also view grants and opportunities for all types of music.
What counts as Australian contemporary music?
On 22 November 2023, the Music Australia Council endorsed the following working definition of Australian contemporary music:
‘Australian contemporary music is any genre or subgenre of music currently composed, written, produced by Australians and licensed, recorded, presented, and distributed through commercial and non-commercial activity. For the purposes of Music Australia’s initial investments, the focus will be on musical works that are new, original and relevant to contemporary Australia.’
In other words, any Australian citizen or permanent resident currently composing, writing or producing music of any genre (this could be baroque-style balalaika music, as long as you are writing it now!) would fall under the scope of Australian contemporary music.
What is Music Australia's strategy?
We are taking a targeted investment approach (adaptive strategy), which will scale overtime in line with the budget for Music Australia.
We are ensuring that we do this in an informed and evidence-based way by taking the best advice we can from the Music Australia Council, reviewing and commissioning the latest research and data on the music industry, and through our many and diverse industry convenings.
Guided by our key areas of focus, the advice of the Music Australia Council, the five pillars of the National Cultural Policy: Revive, and Creative Australia’s establishing legislation, our strategic aim is clear – to support and promote Australian contemporary music and the development of markets and audiences.
Five Pillars of Revive
- First Nations First – recognising and respecting the crucial place of First Nations stories at the centre of Australia's arts and culture.
- A Place for Every Story – reflecting the breadth of our stories and the contribution of all Australians as the creators of culture.
- Centrality of the Artist – supporting the artist as worker and celebrating artists as creators.
- Strong Cultural Infrastructure – providing support across the spectrum of institutions which sustain our arts, culture and heritage.
- Engaging the Audience – making sure our stories connect with people at home and abroad.
Creative Australia’s Strategic Goals
- First Nations creativity is central to Australian arts and culture, supported by self-determined decision-making.
- A dynamic creative sector tells the many stories of contemporary Australia.
- Our creative workforce have sustainable careers and control of their creative assets.
- Arts and culture are valued and of value to all Australians.
- Local and global audiences can engage in meaningful Australian creative experiences.
Are you part of Creative Australia?
Yes! Music Australia was established in August 2023, within Creative Australia, as a new dedicated body to support and invest in Australian contemporary music. Whilst we have our own grant programs and investment initiatives, we also regularly uplift funding towards Creative Australia’s existing music programs, such as Arts Projects for Individuals and groups and the Contemporary Music Touring Program.
Who we are not part of: Sounds Australia, MusicNSW, Office for the Arts, APRA AMCOS, or any of the other wonderful arts and music bodies spread across this country. You can, however, find links to these good people in our music industry directory.
How do you support Australian contemporary music overseas?
Music Australia’s key tactics to export Australian music are:
- Support and investment – continue to support and invest in Australian artists and the creation of worldclass quality sound recordings. Breaking Australian acts in developed countries with established music markets (United Kingdom, European Union and North America), will also optimise their success in the growing emerging markets of Asia, Latin America and the Middle East and North Africa.
- Songwriting – invest in songwriting development and strategic initiatives that focus on co-writing and collaborations with artists from both established and emerging markets.
- Partnerships – develop tailored partnerships to co-design programs for the export of diaspora, migrant and first-generation Australian artists.
- International markets – maintain adequate levels of funding in the national export program – Sounds Australia – to ensure premier on-ground in-market support for Australian artists and industry at international showcase conference events.
- Global industry events – invest in educational trade missions and provide opportunities for industry professionals to participate at global industry events.
- Inbound export development – support domestic activity that provides inbound export development for Australian artists and industry by delivering targeted buyers programs.
- Export Development Fund – create and manage an Export Development Fund to provide direct funding to artists.
Are you conducting any research into music?
We believe credible research is a powerful tool to listen, understand and pro-actively respond to the issues facing the Australian contemporary music industry.
Music Australia has commissioned and is involved in research to survey the views of the Australian public on the music industry (perceptions, belief, values, importance), that also includes targeted questions on their participation and consumption habits, to develop evidence-based investment strategies.
Keep up to date with our most current research projects.
Does Music Australia have a Board?
The work of Music Australia is guided by the expertise of the Music Australia Council.
My application was not funded - do you offer any feedback services?
Unfortunately due to limited resourcing we are unable to offer individual feedback on grant applications.
However, we note that grants are highly competitive, and we encourage those who have applied and been unsuccessful to use the summarised feedback we have collated on the Export Development Fund – International Market and Audience Development to strengthen their application and re-apply for future rounds where possible.
Do you take music submissions?
Although we love to hear Australian music, we aren’t able to support individual artists outside of our grant programs. Please take a look at our current grants and opportunities to see what you might be eligible for!
Export Development Fund
General
How often does the Export Development Fund run?
The Export Development Fund runs four times per year. Please note that opening and closing dates are provisional and may change, so we highly recommend that you sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates.
Do I need an ABN to apply for a grant?
All individual or organisation grant applicants based in Australia must have an active Australian Business Number (ABN). Individual applicants without an ABN may have their grant administered by an individual or organisation with an ABN. Organisations operating outside of Australia do not need an ABN to apply. Individuals based outside of Australia may not need an ABN to apply, depending on their circumstances (please check with your accountant or tax advisor).
The name of the applicant must match the name of the ABN and the name of the bank account we pay the grant into. There are no exceptions to this rule. If you cannot provide an ABN and bank account that are in the same name as the applicant, you will need to nominate an administrator for your grant.
For more information about this, please contact Artist Services.
Can I provide audio or video answers to the application questions?
Yes – please contact our Artist Services team to discuss your accessibility requirements. More information on accessibility is available on our website: Accessibility.
Do you accept applications in languages other than English?
Yes, we do. More information is available on Creative Australia's website: Languages other than English.
If I am successful, I want to be paid via a partnership or trust – how should I set up my account?
Please contact Artist Services or Music Australia to discuss how best to apply.
If I receive a grant, will my tax be affected?
Grants may be considered part of your income in a financial year and may be subject to tax. You must determine your own taxation liabilities. We suggest you consult your financial adviser or contact the Australian Taxation Office on 13 28 66.
I’m an artist manager/music publisher/label representative/venue booker/industry professional wanting to travel overseas. Can I apply for a grant?
The Export Development Fund is only open to current practising solo artists, instrumentalists, bands, ensembles, DJ/producers, producers, songwriters and/or composers.
We do however run the Music Australia International Conference Contribution for industry professionals wishing to attend events overseas – for more information on these grants, please visit the relevant website below:
Having thought about it, I’m probably not ready to apply for a Music Australia grant yet. Are there other ways to develop my practice?
Each state and territory Government has its own funding available for artists and there are often specific programs available to assist you to develop your work through each state and territory peak body which are part of AMIN: http://www.amin.org.au/.
APRA AMCOS also hosts a comprehensive list of funding, opportunities and grants on their website here: APRA AMCOS.
Application
I am an artist working with a manager or producer. Should I or my manager be the applicant for my application?
The strongest applications are those where the voice of the artist comes through. Where possible, you, as the artist, should write your application. Your manager or producer may administer the grant on your behalf to undertake the financial and reporting requirements.
I am a label or manager and would like to apply on behalf of several of my artists for different activities – is this possible?
As you can only make one application per category using your Fluxx account, we strongly recommend your artist(s) set up an account in their name to apply.
Does my application for a group/band need an administrator?
If you are applying as an unincorporated entity, unincorporated association, or partnership you do not need to have an administrator for your grant. However, you must be able to provide an ABN and bank account that are in the group’s name. If you cannot do this, you must nominate an administrator. For more information about this, please contact Artist Services or Music Australia.
How much of my activity needs to be confirmed?
Technically none of your activity needs to be confirmed, however the more evidence/supporting material you have from involved venues/industry professionals/partners, the more competitive your grant will be.
I have more than 5 letters of confirmation/2 letters of support. What should I prioritise?
Think about which letters would make the most impact to your application – if you feel that it’s absolutely essential, you can squeeze multiple letters onto the same A4 page. However, it’s recommended to stick to the outlined number where possible.
Who should I get to provide my letters of support?
Success in music is quite often linked to professional relationships, so providing evidence of a support team can be very helpful. Letters of support from industry professionals, including managers, label representatives, agents, publishers, publicists, promoters, venue bookers and mentors etc. can add significant weight to an application. Letters of support should not be from individuals or organisations financially involved in the activity (this should only be for letters of confirmation).
Budgeting
I have applied to more than one category and my export activity requires flights and accommodation. Do I include that expense in the budget for each application or divide it across all three?
You should include the full cost of flights and accommodation in each application in case you are only successful in one. If successful in more than one category, your granted amount may be revised to avoid duplication of expenses.
Please indicate whether expenses have been duplicated across multiple applications by answering yes or no to the question: ‘Expenses included in other Music Australia applications’.
Does the matched funding need to match my expenses?
No. Your matched funding needs to match your grant request (which needs to be equal to or lower than your total eligible expenses). Please contact Music Australia if you need any further clarification on matched funding.
Can I include childcare costs in my budget?
Yes. Childcare is a legitimate expense to include in your budget.
Can I include administration costs in my budget?
Yes. Organisational administrative costs should be reasonable and directly related to project delivery. They should generally not exceed 10% of the total budget, although this will depend on the nature of the project. Providing an explanation can help the assessors to understand how you calculate your fee.
Can I include artist fees and per diems in my budget?
Yes, we strongly encourage you to pay yourself an artist fee and per diems. It is important to reflect reasonable, market appropriate pay rates in your budget. Providing an explanation can help the assessors to understand how you calculate your fee, and sometimes pay scales and conditions may be prescribed by legally binding industrial awards and agreements. Applicants can check with Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and/or the Musicians Union. For more information, see our Payment of Artists page.
Per Diems or ‘daily living away from home allowances’ are intended to cover food and other necessities on the road. They are generally between $50-$100 a day and should be reflected in your application budget.
Do I need evidence of expenses such as flight quotations, rehearsal studio costs etc.?
Evidence is not required to be eligible, however the more evidence/supporting material you can provide, the more competitive your grant will be.
Do I only put in the expenses which I am requesting money for in the budget, or do I put in all the expenses of the activity?
This is up to your discretion – only the expenses which you are requesting money for are required to be listed in the budget in your application. However, you may feel that showing all the expenses of your activity, including ones not part of your grant request, would make the application more well-rounded. Just make sure to note in the budget description which expenses will be part of the grant request, and which ones are not.
What is the difference between ‘in-kind’ and ‘other cash contribution’?
‘In-kind’ means ‘non-financial’ – for example, a friend or family member offering you free accommodation or the use of their vehicle without payment, a collaborator offering a discount on services, or shared backline.
What is the difference between ‘matched funding’ and ‘additional income’?
‘Matched funding’ is income line items which you are intending to use towards your matched funding (please review the ‘Budget & Matched funding’ section for more information). ‘Additional income’ is other income which you will be receiving from the activity which you will not be using towards matched funding.
If I’ve already partially paid for my activity, can I use this as part of my matched funding?
If the cost is directly related to the activity you are applying for and falls within the eligibility period (i.e., flights or accommodation), then yes. Please review the ‘Budet & Matched funding’ section for more information or contact Music Australia if you have further questions around this.
Discover more
Resources
Resources for Music Australia, including a music industry directory, glossary of investments and FAQs.
Research (Music Australia)
At Music Australia, we believe credible research is a powerful tool to listen, understand and pro-actively respond to the issues facing the Australian contemporary music industry.
