Touring and Travel - FAQs

We encourage you to apply as soon as your activity is booked, confirmed and you have all the required information ready for an application.

Applications for the Domestic Travel and International Professional Development program close 12pm (midday) on the last Friday of each month (excluding December) through to Friday 24 April. The table below shows the latest date we can accept applications, and the corresponding activity start date.

Applications for the International Touring program close 12pm (midday) Friday 30 January and Friday 24 April. The table below shows the latest date we can accept applications, and the corresponding activity start date.

Applicants will be notified of the decision within approximately 4 weeks of the closing date.

The quick response nature of the program finishes at notification, with contracting, invoicing and payment following standard process and timelines, outside of Sound NSW. It can take at least 4 weeks from notification to payment.

You can receive a maximum of one grant through the Domestic Travel and International Professional Development program and one grant through the International Touring program per financial year (based on closing date).

If you have received the maximum number of grants during this timeframe, you won't be eligible again until the following financial year (1 July to 30 June).

Artist refers to any musician, performer or producer who is recording or performing new and original contemporary music.

Act refers to two or more artists working together to record or perform new and original contemporary music (eg a band or group). 

Industry professional refers to an individual that works with artists and acts performing new and original contemporary music. Applications from industry professionals should demonstrate how the opportunity benefits their career and long term business outcomes. 

Music business refers to a business that works with artists and acts performing new and original contemporary music.

Artists, acts, industry professionals and organisations with a primary focus in the below artforms are not supported through Sound NSW:

• experimental music and sound art
• contemporary classical, opera, choral and ensembles
• music theatre
• working in and with community music groups.

These applicants should refer to Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP) guidelines.

Yes. As long as you are performing your own new and original contemporary music that you can evidence in your application.

We can't fund performance fees as part of this program. We can only fund travel and accommodation costs, which does include per diems, but not artist fees. 

While you are eligible to apply, budgets that demonstrate a profit may not be considered a priority for funding.

Grants may be considered part of your income and may be subject to tax. You must determine your own taxation responsibilities.

We suggest you consult your financial adviser or contact the Australian Taxation Office on 13 28 66.

Any conflicts of interest will be managed in accordance with NSW Government Grants Administration Guide.  A conflict of interest, or perceived conflict of interest, may be identified if staff, any member of a committee or advisor and/or you or any of your personnel:

• has a professional, commercial, or personal relationship with a party who can influence the application selection process, or
• has a relationship with or interest in, an organisation, which is likely to interfere with or restrict the applicants from carrying out the proposed activities fairly and independently, or
• has a relationship with, or interest in, an organisation from which they will receive personal gain because the organisation received a grant under the grant program. 

If you identify an actual, apparent, or perceived conflict of interest at any time, you must inform Sound NSW immediately. Staff can be contacted 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday via info@sound.nsw.gov.au or 02 9372 8662. 

NSW Government staff, committee members and other officials including the decision maker must declare any conflicts of interest and ensure they are managed as per the DCITHS Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Grants Administration Guide.

Visit our Privacy, information access, funding feedback, complaints - Create NSW page for more information. 

A music market event provides showcasing opportunities to artists, acts and industry professionals, networking events to engage in business activity and conference sessions to build knowledge.

Domestic music market events include, but are not limited to, BIGSOUND, Regional and Remote Music Summit and SXSW.

International music market events include, but are not limited to, Jazzahead!, SXSW, The Great Escape, CMA Fest and Amsterdam Dance Event. Sounds Australia has a list of current and past events here.

Please contact Sound NSW at info@sound.nsw.gov.au if you are unsure whether your event would be considered a music market event.

No, we won't be able to support a stand alone festival appearance. But if there are other dates around the festival performance it could count towards a tour.

If you are from regional and remote NSW you can request an extra $500 per eligible touring party member, to help support additional travel costs. You just need to allocate this additional request into your grant request, and justify it with eligible travel costs in the expenditure table of your budget.

Regional NSW is defined as the areas outside Greater Sydney. Sound NSW defines Greater Sydney as including the local government areas of the Northern Beaches and Hornsby Shire to the North, Hawkesbury City to the North-West,  City of Blue Mountains to the West, Wollondilly Shire to the South-West and Sutherland Shire to the South. 

This could include an itinerary from a booking agent or direct invitation to perform from a festival, venue or promoter. Emails or screenshots of conversations confirming this are fine.

This could include an invitation to attend a music market event or business meetings. Emails or screenshots of conversations confirming this are fine. Applications should demonstrate how the opportunity benefits your career and the long term outcomes of the artists or sector you represent.

An established artist or act can demonstrate a solid fan base in Australia and internationally, have an expansive track record of previous national and/or international touring and be working with a dedicated team to deliver export outcomes within the artist or act’s career development strategy. 

Applicants to International Touring must match the funding request with their own cash contribution. This can include other grants from government (local, state or federal), industry bodies, philanthropic contributions, personal income and projected income from guaranteed fees, tickets and merch sales. It does not include in-kind support.

The matched funding requirement is not required for Domestic Travel and International Professional Development.

No. Performances at music market events will count as a single event. But if there are other dates around the showcase performance it could count towards a tour. 

No. If returning to NSW in between we would consider this as two separate tours, and you can only receive one grant for international activity.

This could include an itinerary from a booking agent or direct invitation to perform from a festival, venue or promoter. Emails or screenshots of conversations confirming this are fine.

Sounds Australia is a national organisation dedicated to music export. Their website has some great advice about getting prepared for an international tour, as well as resources to help you with visas, insurance, carnets and tax.  

Smartraveller is a service offered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) with advice and resources to help you travel safely overseas, understand risks and avoid problems.