Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Up to $30,000 matched funding
- Application opened: 28 November 2025
- Application closes: 24 April 2026, 12:00 pm
Program objective
Funding can support travel and accommodation costs for established artists and acts who identify a career-defining international touring opportunity.
Costs to support the artist and acts will be prioritised but costs relating to support roles will also be considered.
Applicants must match the funding request with their own cash contribution.
Applications will close:
- Friday 30 January at 12pm (midday) – for activity starting after Wednesday 25 February
- Friday 24 April at 12pm (midday) - for activity starting after Wednesday 20 May
Applicants will be notified of the decision within 4 weeks of the closing date.
Please see the frequently asked questions for additional details here.
This funding aims to:
- support established NSW artists and acts to tour internationally
- champion NSW music
- grow international music audiences for NSW artists.
This program does not support domestic touring or professional development opportunities. Please see the Domestic Touring and Professional Development program.
This program is administered by Sound NSW (Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport).
Eligibility
Who can apply
The fund is open to established artists and acts as well as music businesses applying on behalf of an artist or act.
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.
Funding recipients must be:
- 18 years or older
- currently living in NSW (minimum 12 months)
- performing or working in contemporary music.
Applicants will need:
- an active ABN (that’s your Australian Business Number)
- a bank account with the same name as your ABN
- or a funds administrator to help you out.
Applicants must match the funding request with their own cash contribution.
For the purpose of this program contemporary music refers to artists and acts performing new and original music.
- Artforms not supported through this program are:
- 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 | NSW Government (ACFP) guidelines.
Sound NSW is committed to a diverse contemporary music sector in NSW and encourages applications from First Nations people, people who identify as women and non-binary, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people from Western Sydney and regional and remote communities.
Number of applications
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).
Types of projects funded under this grant
Funding can support travel and accommodation costs for artists and acts identifying a career-defining international touring opportunity, with up to $30,000 in matched funding.
What costs you can apply for
Funding supports travel and accommodation costs only, up to $30,000 in matched funding.
Travel and accommodation costs can include flights, trains, buses, car hire, petrol, tolls, airport transfers, travel insurance, visas, per diems and accommodation.
Who can’t apply
- applicants who do not live in NSW, or who have lived in NSW less than 12 months
- applicants not performing new and original contemporary music (eg cover bands)
- applicants who are unable to provide matched funding
- applicants who have outstanding acquittals from previous NSW Government funding.
What costs you can't apply for
- domestic tours, performance/attendance at music market events and professional development opportunities - this activity can be supported through the Domestic Touring and Professional Development program.
- artist fees, rehearsals, equipment purchase, marketing and promotion costs, industry event fees or passes
- international tours that don’t include at least five performances in different cities
- travel and accommodation costs incurred before the advertised activity start date
- activity that has received other NSW Government funding.
Please see the frequently asked questions for a list of submission dates and activity start dates.
What co-contributions are required
Applicants must match the funding request with their own cash contribution. This can include grants from government (local, state or federal), industry bodies, philanthropic contributions, personal income and projected income from guaranteed fees, tickets and merch sales.
Additional eligibility requirements
- applications for an international tour require confirmation of at least five performances, in different cities.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
All applicants must submit the following as part of their application. These materials will all form part of the assessment.
- an artist’s bio
- evidence of previous domestic and international touring activity
- evidence of international audience engagement including key contacts, established networks and links to social media platforms
- an outline of your tour, including promotional plans and how the proposed activity will benefit this stage of your career and identify the importance of undertaking the activity now
- an outline of your career development plan, including specific goals
- a budget detailing income, expenditure and matched funding
- quotes of costs and confirmed contributions to demonstrate matched funding
- links to examples of your music - up to 5 mins of audio or video that highlight your previous work
- confirmation of at least five performances, in different cities.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
Applications (including written responses, supporting documentation) will be assessed against the following weighted criteria.
1. Artist Experience (40%)
Evidence of previous touring activity, established industry networks and audience engagement.
Tell us in detail about:
- your career to date
- the key achievements of previous touring, including details of venue capacity and ticket sales
- the key artists, industry and support people involved in the establishment and delivery of the tour
- audience engagement in domestic and/or international territories, including details of growth in engagement across online/social media platforms.
2. Impact on career (30%)
Outline the significant impact this international touring opportunity will have on your career and identify the importance of undertaking the activity now.
Tell us in detail about:
- the key objectives of this tour and how it will significantly impact your career
- existing networks in the international market to demonstrate audience growth
- the rationale behind the timing and expected outcomes of this tour on career sustainability evidenced by a career development plan
- how it will develop international audiences and profile NSW music.
3. Viability of the activity (30%)
Your capacity to undertake this activity, the itinerary and how the budget will be managed.
Tell us in detail about:
- an itinerary, including evidence of confirmed shows
- your promotional plans including any key partners
- your budget, including a breakdown of your total costs and details of matched funding to the project.
- evidence of costs and confirmed contributions to demonstrate matched funding.
Minimum fees for musicians
The NSW Government requires that all musicians involved in publicly funded events receive a minimum performance fee of $250. All applicants must demonstrate they meet this requirement in their proposed budget.
Start the application
Sound NSW uses the secure online grants system, SmartyGrants, to manage all its grant programs. All Touring & Travel Fund applications must be submitted via the online portal. You will receive an email confirmation of your application from SmartyGrants when your application has been accepted.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Late Submissions
Late submissions will generally not be accepted. However, consideration may be given to requests where the applicant can demonstrate significant issues outside of their control.
Where these issues prevent an application being made on time, you must make a request in writing to the Sound NSW team at info@sound.nsw.gov.au on or before the application closing date with supporting evidence.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Head of Sound NSW
Eligibility
Applications will be initially reviewed by Sound NSW staff to ensure they meet eligibility requirements, and all application materials are acceptable. If your application is deemed ineligible you will be notified by email within 14 days.
Application review
If eligibility is confirmed, the application will be evaluated by an assessment panel of industry assessors against the weighted assessment criteria and consistent with these guidelines.
Assessment panel members will be provided with the application(s) and each Assessment panel member will score the applicants responses against each criterion using the scoring methodology provided, prior to a formal panel meeting.
Assessment panel scores will be collated and discussed at an assessment panel meeting. Panel members will agree on final consensus scores for each applicant and each criterion. Applications must rate Claims fully substantiated against all criterion, to be recommended to the designated decision-maker for the award of a grant.
The assessment panel will make their recommendations to the designated decision-maker and successful applications will be approved by the Head of Sound NSW, based on recommendations from industry assessors.
Please note that funding allocation follows a competitive process. Evaluations will consider the assessment criteria outlined above and the availability of Sound NSW funds.
Application Outcome
Applicants will be notified of the decision within 4 weeks of this date.
Sound NSW will provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants, where requested.
Assessment process considerations
Applicants should note that:
- The NSW Government typically receives far more applications than it can support.
- You are not guaranteed funding even if your application meets the published criteria.
- If you are successful, your application may not be funded to the amount you requested.
Sound NSW may, at its sole discretion and at any stage of the application process, do all or any of the following:
- Require additional information from an applicant
- May request applicants to provide clarification or additional information regarding the eligibility criteria
- Change the scope of the requirements of these guidelines
- Vary, amend (including by replacement), or terminate the application process
- Re-open an application after the closing date, provided it doesn’t give the applicant an advantage over other applicants
- Consider any non-conforming or late application
Successful grant applications
If your application is successful, you will be sent a funding agreement (contract), generally within one month of notification. This outlines the conditions of funding, how you will be paid and your grant reporting requirements.
Contracts will not be issued, and payments will not be made, until all Sound NSW and Create NSW outstanding acquittals have been submitted.
Sound NSW staff will review required reporting, outlined below, and may contact you for additional information as part of this process.
Payment will be dependent on when the signed Funding Agreement has been returned to Sound NSW, as well as any special conditions, variations or outstanding acquittals being satisfactorily completed.
Acknowledgement of Sound NSW
As a recipient of Government funding, you will be expected to acknowledge the support from Sound NSW in all publications, promotional and advertising materials and public announcements.
Reporting
Successful applicants will be required to provide a project and financial acquittal at the end of the funding period.
Program evaluation
The Program will be evaluated to measure how well the outcomes and objectives have been achieved.
We may collect and use information from your application and reports for this purpose. We may also interview you or ask you for more information to help us understand how the Program impacted you and to evaluate how effective the tour was in achieving its outcomes.
We may contact you up to three years after you receive the final grant payment associated with the grant round for more information to assist with this evaluation. Sound NSW and the NSW Audit Office reserves the right to undertake an audit of Program funding and support within seven years.
Support and contact
Sound NSW staff are available to provide technical advice and general information to potential applicants on the interpretation of these guidelines, including the types of activity eligible for funding and support with the online application process.
Sound NSW staff cannot help directly with your application. To maintain a fair and equitable process, staff cannot edit or correct any applications or provide advice on the content or choices required against the Assessment Criteria.
For further information or clarification, please contact:
Sophie McComish, Music Liaison
Email: info@sound.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 9372 8662
Schedule an online meeting to speak to Sound NSW staff using the link to Microsoft Bookings.
For further information read the frequently asked questions..
Image: dust performing in Bristol, UK in support of Interpol. Credit: Andrew Briggs
Complaint handling
Details on how we handle complaints, access to information and your private information is available at:
https://www.create.nsw.gov.au/about-us/feedback-complaints-privacy-and-government-information
Access to information
The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA) provides for the proactive release of government information by agencies and gives members of the public an enforceable right to access government information held by an agency (which includes Ministerial offices). Access to government information is only to be restricted if there is an overriding public interest against disclosure.
The NSW Legislative Council has the power to order the production of State papers by the Executive Government. Standing Order 52 provides that the House may order documents to be tabled by the Government in the House. The Cabinet Office coordinates the preparation of the papers – that is, the return to order.
The return to order may contain privileged and public documents. Privileged documents are available only to members of the Legislative Council.
Note that documents submitted as part of a grant application may be subject to an application under GIPA or an order for papers under Standing Order 52.
Further information on how DCITHS holds information, and how to access it, is available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/dciths/policies-plans-and-procedures/access-to-information/agency-information-guide
Conflict of interest management
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.