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.

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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: Thursday 11 September 2025
Closes: Tuesday 21 October 2025
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://australianmusic.asn.au/maicc/

AUSTRALASIAN MUSIC PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION (AMPAL)

Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Publishers

Amount: Up to AU$5,000
Opens: Monday 13 October 2025
Closes: Monday 27 October 2025 (3pm AEDT)
Activity: For international music conferences occurring anytime between 1 January – 30 June 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/

APRA AMCOS

Professional Development Awards

Amount: AU$10,000
Opens: Tuesday 12 August 2025
Closes: Tuesday 23 September 2025
Activity: For 13 emerging songwriters and composers to invest in their creative growth
Apply: https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about/supporting-the-industry/awards/professional-development-awards-2026

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/

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/

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

Artsbridge

Amount: Up to AU$10,000
Opens: Monday 26 May 2025
Closes: Monday 8 September 2025
Activity: For activities commencing after 1 January 2026
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

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

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: Thursday 11 September 2025, 4pm AWST
Activity: For projects beginning after 19 January 2026
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

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/