The Beths performing at the Factory Theatre. Photo by Gladys Smith @sunflower_sessions_photography.
The Young Promoter Fund supports music promoters aged 18-30 to deliver contemporary live music events, build professional skills, grow community connections, and strengthen pathways into the live music industry.
The Young Promoter Fund opens Friday 2 October 2026, closes 2pm Wednesday 11 November 2026, for projects delivered between 1 February 2027 to 28 February 2028.
You will need to present a minimum of 3 live music events to be eligible.
You can request up to $5,000 per event, to a maximum of $25,000.
Additional funding is available for young promoters to engage a mentor to support the development and delivery of their live music series. There are two types of mentorship opportunities:
- applicant identified mentorship – if you already have an experienced industry professional you want to be mentored by you can request an extra $5,000 to support their involvement. You just need to allocate this additional request into your grant request and justify it with eligible costs in the expenditure table of your budget.
- Sound NSW facilitated mentorship – if successful, we can find an experienced industry professional to act as your mentor. We will pay the mentor directly.
A mentor will provide guidance and support for your live music series, knowledge and career development advice.
Mentors could include, but are not limited to established music promoters, venue operators, festival producers, booking agents, tour managers, artist managers, production professionals, or label and publishing staff.
While a mentor is not mandatory for this grant, selecting an appropriate mentor and recognising the benefit in learning from experienced professionals is encouraged.
If you do include a mentor, your application will need to outline the mentorship activity and how it will support your career development.
For the purpose of this program an industry professional refers to an individual working in contemporary music who plans, promotes, and manages live music events.
To be eligible for this program you need to have an active ABN (that’s your Australian Business Number).
For the purpose of this program a music business refers to a business that operates within the contemporary music ecosystem to plan, promote, and manage live music events.
To be eligible for this program businesses and organisations must be owned by someone aged 18-30 and have an active ABN (that’s your Australian Business Number).
No. The Young Promoter Fund is designed for emerging promoters who have already delivered live music events. Applicants presenting their first live music event are not eligible to apply.
Yes, we advise utilising The Push’s Good Practice Guidelines when planning your events.
Yes. The fund can support both new and existing event series, provided the proposed activities align with the program objectives and demonstrate benefits for artists, audiences, and your professional development as a promoter.
Yes. Promoter fees are an eligible expense and can be included in your project budget where they represent fair and reasonable costs associated with delivering the activity.
No, you cannot purchase equipment with funding from the Young Promoter Fund.
No. You do not need to have every detail locked in before applying. However, you should demonstrate that your event series is well planned and achievable, including proposed venues, artists, timelines, partnerships, and audience development strategies where possible.
At a minimum you need to demonstrate an understanding of the compliance obligations required for the delivery of the live music event series. You will also need to outline how you will deliver a safe and accessible event including specific actions, protocols, and responsibilities that will be in place to ensure crowd safety.
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.
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.
The NSW Government is committed to ensuring artists are paid fairly for live performance. If you are employing artists to perform live as any part of your grant, Sound NSW expects all artists to receive a $250 minimum payment (plus superannuation) for each artist. You can read more about this minimum fee for government funded shows at Musicians Australia.
Superannuation is a Commonwealth legislative requirement administered by the Australian Taxation Office.
More information related to the obligations of the new superannuation requirements can be found at About Payday Super - Superannuation Changes | Australian Taxation Office.
MusicNSW is the peak body for contemporary music in New South Wales. Their website has some great advice about Payday Super, including FAQs and a flow chart.
You can only receive two Sound NSW grants in competitive programs per financial year (based on closing date).
No, the Young Promoter Fund doesn’t support artist touring activity. See the Touring and Travel Fund for support for artists and acts to tour.