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.
National
MUSIC AUSTRALIA
International Performance And Touring Activity
Amount: AU$5,000 to AU$75,000
Opens: Thursday 31 July 2025
Closes: Tuesday 16 September 2025
Activity: Between 1 January 2026 and 31 March 2026 and be 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: Thursday 31 July 2025
Closes: Tuesday 16 September 2025
Activity: Between 1 January 2026 and 31 March 2026 and be 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: Thursday 31 July 2025
Closes: Tuesday 16 September 2025
Activity: Between 1 January 2026 and 31 March 2026 and be 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: Thursday 11 September 2025
Closes: Tuesday 21 October 2025
Activity: For international music conferences occurring anytime between 1 January – 31 March 2026
Apply: https://www.aam.org.au/maicc-2025-26
AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT RECORD LABELS ASSOCIATION (AIR)
Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Independent Labels & Distributors
Amount: Up to AU$5,000
Opens: Thursday 11 September 2025
Closes: Tuesday 21 October 2025
Activity: For international music conferences occurring anytime between 1 January – 31 March 2026
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: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: For international music conferences occurring anytime between 1 January – 31 March 2026
Apply: https://almbc.org.au/international/
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC ASSOCIATION
Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Music Products
Amount: Up to AU$5,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: For international music conferences occurring anytime between 1 February – 31 October 2026
Apply: https://www.ampal.com.au/maicc-2025
AUSTRALASIAN MUSIC PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION (AMPAL)
Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Publishers
Amount: Up to AU$5,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: For international music conferences occurring anytime between 1 January – 31 March 2026
Apply: https://www.ampal.com.au/maicc-2025
AMERICAN AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION
APRA AMCOS Global Professional Development Award
Amount: Up to US$10,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: For activity in the USA only
Apply: https://americanaustralian.org/scholarships/arts-fund/specialty-field-scholarships/
Arts Fund Grant
Amount: Up to US$5,000
Opens: Friday 1 August 2025
Closes: Tuesday 30 September 2025
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: Wednesday 1 January 2025
Closes: TBA
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: Thursday 31 July 2025
Closes: Tuesday 2 September 2025
Activity: From 8 December 2025 to December 2027
Apply: https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/arts-projects-individuals-and-groups
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE
The Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program
Amount: Up to AU$60,000
Opens: Early 2026
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 25 November 2025
Closes: Tuesday 20 January 2026
Activity: For projects after 8 April 2026
Apply: https://www.ianpotterculturaltrust.org.au/opportunities/emerging-artist-grants/
SIDNEY MYER FUND
Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships
Amount: Up to AU$200,000
Opens: Tuesday 1 July 2025
Closes: Sunday 17 August 2025
Activity: Early mid-career artists, creatives and cultural leaders must be nominated to receive a Creative Fellowship
Apply: https://www.myerfoundation.org.au/grant-opportunities-list/sidney-myer-creative-fellowships
ACT
ARTSACT
Up to $5k Funding
Opens: All year round
Apply: https://www.arts.act.gov.au/funding/arts-activities-funding
Up to $15k Funding
Opens: Sunday 1 June 2025
Closes: Thursday 31 July 2025
Activity: From 1 January 2026
Apply: https://www.arts.act.gov.au/funding/arts-activities-funding
NSW
CREATE NSW
Touring And Travel Fund – International
Amount: Up to AU$5,000
Opens: Friday 1 November 2024
Closes: Friday 28 November 2025
Apply: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/touring-and-travel-fund
Contemporary Music Development Grants – First Nations Industry Development
Amount: Up to AU$150,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/contemporary-music-development-grants-first-nations-industry-development
Contemporary Music Development Grants – Industry Development
Amount: Up to AU$150,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/contemporary-music-development-grants-industry-development
REGIONAL ARTS NSW
Quick Response Grants
Amount: Up to AU$3,000 (individuals) or AU$5,000 (organisations)
Opens: 1 February 2025
Closes: 30 November 2025
Activity: Quick response
Apply: https://regionalartsnsw.com.au/quick-response-grants/
NT
ARTS NT
Arts Projects Grants
Amount: Up to AU$15,000 (individuals) or AU$30000 (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
Amount: Up to AU$3,000 (individuals) or AU$5,000 (organisations)
Opens: Saturday 1 February 2025
Closes: Sunday 30 November 2025
Activity: Quick response
Apply: https://darwincommunityarts.org.au/qrg/
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
QMUSIC
Grant McLennan Fellowship
Amount: AU$15,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: Travel to New York, London or Berlin
Apply: https://www.qmusic.com.au/programs/qmusic-connect/grant-mclennan-fellowship
BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL
Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowships
Amount: Up to AU$10,000
Opens: Monday 29 September 2025
Closes: Monday 17 November 2025
Activity: For activity after 21 March 2026
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 – Development
Amount: Up to AU$2,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: Quick response
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$5000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: Quick response
Apply: https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/About-our-city/Arts-culture/Arts-culture-funding/Arts-Development-Fund
Arts Projects – Major Round
Amount: Up to AU$15000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Apply: https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/About-our-city/Arts-culture/Arts-culture-funding/Arts-Development-Fund
Arts Partnerships – Stream 1
Amount: Up to AU$80000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: Four year funding
Apply: https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/About-our-city/Arts-culture/Arts-culture-funding/Arts-Development-Fund
Arts Partnerships – Stream 2
Amount: Up to AU$40000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: Four year funding
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: Saturday 1 February 2025
Closes: Sunday 30 November 2025
Activity: Quick response
Apply: https://flyingarts.org.au/raf/quick-response-grants/
SA
MUSIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
Project Support Grants
Amount: Up to AU$15,000
Opens: TBA October 2025
Closes: TBA
Activity: For activity from 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2026
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 AMERICANAFEST, CMA Fest, Folk Alliance International, The Great Escape Festival, International Indigenous Music Summit, SXSW and the Reeperbahn Festival, and for South Australian managers attending one of these events (with or without an artist).
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: Tuesday 1 July 2025
Closes: Monday 18 August 2025
Activity: For activity after Thursday 1 January 2026
Apply: https://www.countryarts.org.au/for-artists/grants/
Quick Response Grants
Amount: Up to AU$3,000 (individuals) or AU$5,000 (organisations)
Opens: Tuesday 1 July 2025
Closes: Sunday 30 November 2025
Activity: Quick response
Apply: https://www.countryarts.org.au/for-artists/grants/
TAS
ARTS TASMANIA
Individuals and Groups
Amount: Up to $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: Saturday 1 February 2025
Closes: Sunday 30 November 2025
Activity: Quick response
Apply: https://www.rantarts.com/quick-response-grants
VIC
CREATIVE VICTORIA
Music Works
Amount: Between AU$10,000 – $20,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://creative.vic.gov.au/funding-opportunities/find-a-funding-opportunity/music-works
MELBOURNE PRIZE TRUST
Melbourne Prize For Music
Amount: AU$60,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://www.melbourneprize.org/awards/
Professional Development Award
Amount: AU$10,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://www.melbourneprize.org/awards/
The Beleura John Tallis Award for Emerging Composers
Amount: AU$20,000
Opens: TBA
Closes: TBA
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://www.melbourneprize.org/awards/
REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA
Quick Response Grants
Amount: Up to AU$3,000 (individuals) or AU$5,000 (organisations)
Opens: Saturday 1 February 2025
Closes: Sunday 30 November 2025
Activity: Quick response
Apply: https://www.rav.net.au/grants/quick-response-grants/
WA
DEPARTMENT OF CREATIVE INDUSTRIES, TOURISM AND SPORT
Contemporary Music Fund Development Program
Amount: Up to AU$20,000
Opens: Tuesday 8 July 2025
Closes: Thursday 4 December 2025
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: Wednesday 6 August 2025
Closes: TBA
Activity: TBA
Apply: https://www.cits.wa.gov.au/funding/creative-industries-funding/arts-projects-for-individuals-and-groups/arts-projects-for-individuals-and-groups-guidelines
REGIONAL ARTS WA
Quick Response Grants
Amount: Up to AU$3,000 (individuals) or AU$5,000 (organisations)
Opens: Saturday 1 February 2025
Closes: Sunday 30 November 2025
Activity: Quick response
Apply: https://regionalartswa.org.au/funding/quick-response-grant/
Project Grants
Amount: Up to AU$30,000
Opens: Monday 7 July 2025
Closes: Monday 18 August 2025
Activity: From Thursday 1 January 2026
Apply: https://regionalartswa.org.au/funding/raf-project-grants/