New Generation Runway Designer Miimi & Jiinda Image Lucas Dawson
Funding and Support for the NSW Fashion Industry
NSW has long been the home of the Australian fashion industry, with well-established precincts in Surry Hills, Alexandria, Rosebery, Redfern, Marrickville, and Cabramatta.
The NSW fashion industry is a complex ecosystem of design, textile, manufacturing, retail and education and training. It is heavily interlinked with the broader national fashion and retail economy contributing a high-value component of Australia’s trade and export portfolio.
Quick Response Fashion Grants Program
Grants up to $10,000 for emerging designers and creatives in fashion to access professional development opportunities and purchase of equipment.
Applications for 2026 have now closed. Click here for the recipients
Read assessor feedback for your Quick Response Fashion Grant application
Quick Response Fashion Grants FAQs
Helpful resources for Quick Response Fashion Grants - including eligibility, key dates.
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Key dates - Quick Response Fashion Grants
Quick Response Grant Applications are assessed monthly on a rolling basis until funds are expended after each tranche (before 29 May 2026).
Grant programs open for applications
Tranche 1 - January Quick Response cut-off date
Tranche 2 - February Quick Response cut-off date
Tranch 3 - March Quick Response cut-off date
Tranche 4 - April Quick Response cut-off date
Tranche 5 - May Quick Response cut-off date
NSW Fashion Sector Strategy 2025-2028
The NSW Fashion Sector Strategy is the first of its kind, aligning with Creative Communities and developed in collaboration with industry.
It sets out a vision for the fashion industry in NSW with six strategic priorities to support and develop industry, to grow markets and profile nationally and internationally, and establish and extend pathways for new designers into the industry.
Credit: Yousef Akbar, Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023, Carriageworks, Sydney. Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images for AAFW.
News
5 June 2026
Global Gateways: Australian designers elevated to an international stage
From homegrown studios to global showrooms in Paris, the next generation of fashion talent will soon have an opportunity to step onto the world stage. AFC’s Global Gateways: Paris 2026 will support Australian designers to reach new markets and build sustainable pathways to long-term international success. This new collaborative initiative has been established in response to industry’s key feedback in the development of the country’s first ever fashion sector strategy.
Ngali, Courtesy Australian Fashion Council. Image Lucas Dawson
21 August 2025
NSW puts best foot forward with first ever fashion strategy
The NSW Fashion Sector Strategy sets out a plan to develop the industry in NSW, to grow international profile and markets, and establish pathways for new designers.
Australian Fashion Week Frontier designers (L-R) Hannah Kim, Jackie Galleghan, Verity van Ermel Scherer, Kellie Hush and Marianne Perkovic
7 May 2026
New wave of talent at Australian Fashion Week as spotlight shines on First Nations and Emerging designers
The new wave of fashion designers will springboard onto the global stage this coming May, with two new runway shows celebrating First Nations designers, alongside a group runway spotlighting fashion’s cult favourites and rising creative forces.