Michael's Rule

Sound NSW supports ‘Michael’s Rule’ with a new policy to incentivise international touring artists to add Australian support acts to their line-ups 

What is Michael’s Rule? 

Michael’s Rule, named after the late artist manager Michael McMartin, is an industry initiative aimed at increasing Australian artist representation on international tours that visit Australia.  

What is the NSW Government policy? 

To support Michael’s Rule, the NSW Government has launched an Australian-first policy through Sound NSW, Venues NSW and Sydney Opera House that will offer reduced venue hire fees for international touring acts that include home-grown artists and performers on their concert line-up. 

NSW is the first jurisdiction in Australia to officially back Michael’s Rule through this venue-based incentive that will see a $20,000 fee reduction apply for each eligible show across the Venues NSW network, and a $5,000 reduction per eligible show at Sydney Opera House. 

Venues covered by the Venues NSW network include Accor Stadium, Allianz Stadium, CommBank Stadium, McDonald Jones Stadium, and Sydney Cricket Ground. The Sydney Opera House is also participating in the scheme.  

What will Michael’s Rule achieve? 

There is a pressing need to get our best acts onto the biggest stages to ensure Australia continues building its reputation as an exporter of top-tier global talent.  Being a support act for the biggest international artists’ tours is an important and proven pathway to success for Australian artists, providing valuable high-profile performance experience as well as diversifying and building new audiences. 

Some recent success stories include NSW Northern Rivers-based artist Kita Alexander gaining valuable exposure as support act for mega-star Dua Lipa’s 2025 tour of Australia and New Zealand, as well as local favourites The Preatures building momentum to book a 40-date regional tour after supporting Harry Styles in 2018 at the likes of Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena. 

Having witnessed the positive impact that these opportunities have had on Australian artists, the NSW Government is offering support to ensure this happens more and more.  

How does it work? 

To be eligible, at least one Australian artist must be included as a support act on an international artist’s headline tour at Sydney Opera House or a Venues NSW venue, the Australian artist must appear on the same stage as the international artist, and the Australian artist must be announced at the same time as the tour.  

The incentive will be available for an initial two-year period, commencing in May 2025. 

Promoters looking to access the incentive will apply through Venues NSW and Sydney Opera House when booking in concerts and tours. Concerts and tours that are assessed as eligible by Venues NSW, Sydney Opera House and Sound NSW will receive the fee reduction.  

For Venues NSW, the fee reduction is $20,000 per concert. 

For Sydney Opera House, the fee reduction is $5,000 per concert.  

What about concerts that have already been announced?

Given the long lead time of concerts and tours of scale, the opportunity to access the incentive will be made available for a limited time for concerts that have already been announced but have not yet taken place. Applications will be accepted for these concerts that already have an Australian support act or subsequently add one to their line-up. 

Applications for the interim support incentive must be received by Venues NSW or Sydney Opera House no later than 5pm AEST on 1 August 2025. 

How do I get involved? 

If you’re a tour promoter that would like to take advantage of this new incentive at a Venues NSW venue or Sydney Opera House, reach out to the venues directly to discuss your situation and the next steps.