FUNDING

Please note that Sounds Australia is not a funding body. In the interest of staying neutral and fair, Sounds Australia also does not provide letters of support to funding bodies on behalf of any artist or industry professional. Check this page regularly, or subscribe to our newsletter, to find out which funding programs are currently open.

RETURN TO RESOURCES

National

MUSIC AUSTRALIA

International Performance And Touring Activity

Amount: AU$5,000 to AU$75,000
Opens: Late August 2026
Closes: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Activity: For activity starting between 1 January 2027 and 31 March 2027 and completed within 12 months
Apply: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/international-performance-and-touring-activity/

International Professional And Artistic Development

Amount: AU$3,000 to AU$15,000
Opens: Late August 2026
Closes: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Activity: For activity starting between 1 January 2027 and 31 March 2027 and completed within 12 months
Apply: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/international-professional-and-artistic-development/

International Market And Audience Development

Amount: AU$2,000 to AU$10,000
Opens: Late August 2026
Closes: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Activity: For activity starting between 1 January 2027 and 31 March 2027 and completed within 12 months
Apply: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/international-market-and-audience-development/

ASSOCIATION OF ARTIST MANAGERS (AAM)

Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Managers

Amount: Up to AU$5,000
Opens: Monday 7 September 2026
Closes: Thursday 15 October 2026, 3pm AEDT
Activity: For conferences occurring in January, February and March 2027
Apply: https://www.aam.org.au/maicc-2026-27

AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT RECORD LABELS ASSOCIATION (AIR)

Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Independent Labels & Distributors

Amount: Up to AU$5,000
Opens: Monday 7 September 2026
Closes: Thursday 15 October 2026, 5pm AEDT
Activity: For conferences occurring in January, February and March 2027
Apply: https://air.org.au/maicc/

AUSTRALIAN LIVE MUSIC BUSINESS COUNCIL (ALMBC)

Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Agents, Programmers, Bookers & Publicists

Amount: Up to AU$5,000
Opens: Monday 7 September 2026
Closes: Thursday 15 October 2026
Activity: For conferences occurring in January, February and March 2027
Apply: https://almbc.org.au/international/

AUSTRALIAN MUSIC ASSOCIATION

Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Music Products

Amount: Up to AU$5,000
Opens: Thursday 9 July 2026
Closes: Thursday 9 September 2026, 3pm AEST
Activity: For conferences occurring between October 2026 – May 2027
Apply: https://australianmusic.asn.au/maicc/

AUSTRALASIAN MUSIC PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION (AMPAL)

Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Publishers

Amount: Up to AU$5,000
Opens: Friday 10 July 2026
Closes: Monday 27 July 2026, 3pm AEST
Activity: For conferences occurring between 1 August – 31 December 2026
Apply: https://www.ampal.com.au/maicc-2026

AMERICAN AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION

APRA AMCOS Global Professional Development Award

Amount: Up to US$10,000
Opens: Friday 1 January 2027
Closes: Wednesday 31 March 2027
Activity: Awarded to one emerging or mid-career Australian artist, songwriter, or producer to undertake career development in the United States. This award is only open to APRA AMCOS members
Apply: https://americanaustralian.org/scholarships/arts-fund/specialty-field-scholarships/

Arts Fund Grant

Amount: Up to US$5,000
Opens: TBA August 2026
Closes: TBA
Activity: For activity in the USA only
Apply: https://americanaustralian.org/scholarships/arts-fund/all-artistic-discipline/

Indigenous Scholarships

Amount: Up to US$10,000
Opens: Saturday 1 August 2026
Closes: Wednesday 30 September 2026
Activity: For activity in the USA only
Apply: https://americanaustralian.org/scholarships/arts-fund/indigenous-applicants/

AUSTRADE

Export Market Development Grants (EMDG)

Amount: Based on tiers and demand
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: Assists Australian small and medium businesses to export. Grants support marketing and promotional activities that increase exports and bring broader benefits for Australia
Apply: https://www.austrade.gov.au/en/how-we-can-help-you/grants/export-market-development-grants

CREATIVE AUSTRALIA

Arts Projects For Individuals and Groups

Amount: AU$10,000 to AU$50,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: Tuesday 1 September 2026, 3pm AEST
Activity: From 9 June 2026 to June 2028
Apply: https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/arts-projects-individuals-and-groups

The Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarships

Amount: AU$50,000 (paid in quarterly instalments over two years)
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: Offers young, instrumental music creators the chance to explore, study and develop their artistic gifts through travelling either interstate and/or overseas
Apply: https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/marten-bequest-travelling-scholarships

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE

The Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program

Amount: Up to AU$60,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: Supports international projects that tell Australian stories, amplify First Nations voices, deepen bilateral partnerships and build cultural understanding and connections overseas
Apply: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/public-diplomacy/acdgp/australian-cultural-diplomacy-grants-program

International Relations Grants Program

More information: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/foundations-councils-institutes/Pages/foundations-councils-and-institutes

IAN POTTER CULTURAL TRUST

Emerging Artist Grants

Amount: Up to AU$15,000
Opens: Tuesday 24 November 2026
Closes: Tuesday 19 January 2027, 5pm AEDT
Activity: For projects after 1 April 2027
Apply: https://www.ianpotterculturaltrust.org.au/opportunities/emerging-artist-grants/

SIDNEY MYER FUND

Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships

Amount: Up to AU$200,000
Opens: Wednesday 1 July 2026
Closes: Sunday 9 August 2026, 12am AEST
Activity: Early mid-career artists, creatives and cultural leaders must be nominated to receive a Creative Fellowship. Applicants to the program may not self-nominate.
Apply: https://www.myerfoundation.org.au/grant-opportunities-list/sidney-myer-creative-fellowships

ACT

ARTSACT

Up to $5k Funding

Opens: All year round
Activity: Must be submitted at least six weeks before the activity start date
Apply: https://www.arts.act.gov.au/funding/arts-activities-funding

Up to $50k Funding

Opens: Monday 1 June 2026
Closes: Friday 31 July 2026
Activity: From 1 January 2027
Apply: https://www.arts.act.gov.au/funding/arts-activities-funding

NSW

SOUND NSW

Touring And Travel Fund – International

Amount: Up to AU$30,000 in matched funding
Opens: Friday 29 May 2026
Closes: Friday 31 July 2026, 12pm AEST
Activity: For activity starting after Wednesday 26 August 2026
Apply: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8Btouring-and-travel-fund-international-touring

REGIONAL ARTS NSW

Quick Response Grants

Amount: Up to AU$3,000 (individuals) or AU$5,000 (organisations)
Opens: Sunday 1 February 2026
Closes: Monday 30 November 2026
Activity: Quick response
Apply: https://regionalartsnsw.com.au/quick-response-grants/

ARTS NT

Arts Projects Grants

Amount: Up to AU$15,000 (individuals) or AU$30,000 (organisations)
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://nt.gov.au/leisure/arts-culture-heritage/grants/arts-projects-grant

DARWIN COMMUNITY ARTS

Quick Response Grants

MUSICNT

Trade Missions Program

Amount: Up to AU$5,000
Activity: Designed to support the Northern Territory (NT) music industry in expanding their reach to international and national markets. This initiative provides financial assistance to selected participants, enabling them to attend major international and national music conferences and events that align with their career goals and the strategic development of NT’s music industry.
Apply: https://musicnt.com.au/program/musicnt-trade-missions-program/

QLD

ARTS QUEENSLAND

Queensland Arts Project Fund

Amount: Up to AU$70,000 (general stream) or AU$20,000 (individuals) for projects up to one year, up to AU$150,000 for large-scale two-year projects with matched funding (at least 30% cash investment)
Opens: Monday 27 July 2026
Closes: Monday 7 September 2026
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/funding-opportunities/funding/queensland-arts-project-fund

BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL

Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowships

Amount: Up to AU$10,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/community-and-safety/grants-awards-and-sponsorships/creative-and-history-grants/lord-mayors-creative-fellowships

CITY OF GOLD COAST

Arts Projects – Professional Development

Amount: Up to AU$2,000
Opens: Wednesday 1 July 2026
Closes: Wednesday 30 September 2026
Activity: No earlier than 4 weeks from date of submission
Apply: https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/About-our-city/Arts-culture/Arts-culture-funding/Arts-Development-Fund

Arts Projects – Small Grants

Amount: Up to AU$5,000
Opens: Friday 3 July 2026
Closes: Wednesday 30 September 2026
Activity: For activity starting after Thursday 24 December 2026
Apply: https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/About-our-city/Arts-culture/Arts-culture-funding/Arts-Development-Fund

FLYING ARTS ALLIANCE

Quick Response Grants

Amount: Up to AU$3000 (individuals) or AU$5000 (organisations)
Opens: Sunday 1 February 2026
Closes: Monday 30 November 2026
Activity: Quick response
Apply: https://flyingarts.org.au/raf/quick-response-grants/

MUSIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Project Support Grants

Amount: Up to AU$15,000
Opens: TBA October 2026
Closes: TBA
Activity: For activity from 1 January 2027 – 31 December 2027
Apply: https://www.create.sa.gov.au/funding-and-grants/Music-Development-Office-Funding/project-support-grants

Export Contribution Fund

Amount: AU$3,000 (artist/group) or AU$1,000 (managers)
Activity: For South Australian acts officially selected for events where Sounds Australia is producing showcases, and for South Australian managers attending events (with or without an artist) where Sounds Australia is producing activity.
Apply: Email info@soundsaustralia.com.au if you are officially selected for one of these events, or you are a manager who is attending.

COUNTRY ARTS SA

Project Grants

Amount: Up to AU$30,000
Opens: Monday 6 July 2026
Closes: Monday 17 August 2026, 11:29pm ACST
Activity: For activities after Friday 1 January 2027
Apply: https://www.countryarts.org.au/for-artists/grants/

Quick Response Grants

TAS

ARTS TASMANIA

Artsbridge

Amount: Up to AU$10,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://www.arts.tas.gov.au/grants_and_funding/artsbridge

Individuals and Groups

Amount: Up to AU$30,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://www.arts.tas.gov.au/grants_and_funding/individuals_and_groups

RANT ARTS

Quick Response Grants

Amount: Up to AU$3,000 (individuals) or AU$5,000 (organisations)
Opens: Sunday 1 February 2026
Closes: Tuesday 30 June 2026
Activity: Quick response
Apply: https://www.rantarts.com/quick-response-grants

VIC

MUSIC VICTORIA

Music Works

Amount: AU$5000 (Activation Grants), AU$10,000 – $40,000 (Project Grants)
Opens: Wednesday 8 July 2026
Closes: Wednesday 5 August 2026, 2pm AEST
Activity: For activity between 1 November 2026 – 31 October 2027
Apply: https://www.musicvictoria.com.au/initiatives/music-works/

CREATIVE VICTORIA

Creative Projects Fund

Amount: Between AU$10,000 – $30,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://creative.vic.gov.au/funding-opportunities/find-a-funding-opportunity/creative-projects-fund

MELBOURNE PRIZE TRUST

Melbourne Prize For Music

Amount: AU$60,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://melbourneprizetrust.org/

REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA

Quick Response Grants

DEPARTMENT OF CREATIVE INDUSTRIES, TOURISM AND SPORT

Contemporary Music Fund Development Program

Amount: Up to AU$20,000
Opens: Tuesday 7 July 2026
Closes: Thursday 3 December 2026, 4:00pm AWST
Activity: At least 28 days after application submission
Apply: https://www.cits.wa.gov.au/funding/creative-industries-funding/cmf-development-program

Arts Projects For Individuals and Groups

Amount: Up to AU$80,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://www.cits.wa.gov.au/funding/creative-industries-funding/arts-projects-for-individuals-and-groups

REGIONAL ARTS WA

Quick Response Grants

Project Grants

Amount: Up to AU$30,000
Opens: Monday 6 July 2026
Closes: Monday 17 August 2026
Activity: Projects starting from 1 January 2027
Apply: https://regionalartswa.org.au/funding/raf-project-grants/