Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Up to $30,000
- Application opened: 20 August 2026
- Application closes: 21 September 2026, 2:00 pm
Program objective
This funding aims to:
- prioritise and protect First Nations music
- strengthen the recorded music ecosystem for NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists
- future proof the NSW music industry for NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists through upskilling and collaboration
- build the profile of NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander music.
The Contemporary Music Development Grants are funded by the NSW Government and administered by Sound NSW within the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport
This program is administered by Sound NSW (Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport).
Eligibility
Who can apply
This program is open to NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists and acts, as well as music businesses applying on behalf of an artist or act.
An artist who:
- identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- is 18 years or older
- currently lives in NSW (minimum 12 months)
- performs new and original contemporary music
- has at least one publicly available release.
An act:
- with majority Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander members and/or
- with creative control by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander members
- with members who are all 18 years or older
- with at least 50% of members currently living in NSW (minimum 12 months)
- that performs new and original contemporary music
- that has at least one publicly available release.
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.
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.
These applicants should refer to Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP) guidelines.
Please see the frequently asked questions for further definitions.
Number of applications
- you can only submit one application per round.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Grants for NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists and acts creating new and original contemporary music will support project costs associated with:
- developing new music
- collaboration
- recording (including mixing, mastering)
- pressing, manufacturing and releasing
- marketing and promotional activity
- career development opportunities, including participation in workshops, camps, mentorships and residencies
- purchase equipment essential to their music career.
What costs you can apply for
Funding up to $30,000 can support:
- producer and artist collaborator fees
- studio, recording, mixing and mastering costs
- pressing and manufacturing
- digital marketing, publicity services and content creation
- administrative costs
- fees to attend or participate in workshops, camps, mentorships, residencies and other career development opportunities
- the purchase of equipment essential to your music career, including instruments, hardware and software (up to $5,000).
Who can’t apply
- applicants who do not identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- applicants who do not live in NSW, or who have lived in NSW less than 12 months
- applicants not recording or performing new and original contemporary music (eg cover bands)
- applicants without publicly available releases
- applicants who have outstanding acquittals from previous NSW Government funding.
What costs you can't apply for
- the recording or promotion of your first release
- costs incurred before the advertised activity start date
- activity that has received other NSW Government funding
- activities that directly support the delivery or course requirements of an educational program or course
- fundraising, donations, awards, prize money or competitions
- tours or performances at music industry events – this activity can be supported through the Touring and Travel Fund.
Additional eligibility requirements
The project cannot start before 7 December 2026 and must be completed by 31 March 2028.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Grant Application
All applicants must submit the following as part of their application. These materials will all form part of the assessment.
- an artist’s bio
- an outline of the how this project connects with artists, communities and/or audiences
- an outline of your project, including how the activity will help develop your career and identify the importance of undertaking the activity now
- an outline of what’s required to deliver the project
- a budget detailing income and expenditure
- links to examples of your music (up to 5 mins of audio or video that highlight your previous work)
- confirmation from key personnel involved
- for career development projects - confirmation or invitation to attend or participate in the career development opportunity
- for equipment purchase – formal quotes for each piece of equipment.
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 (20%)
Evidence of previous work, industry relationships and support.
Tell us in detail about:
- your career to date
- your key achievements
- the key artists, industry and support people involved, including confirmation of their involvement.
2. Connection to community (30%)
The benefit to the NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community or the intended audience.
Tell us in detail about:
- how this project creates meaningful connection with artists, communities and/or audiences
- the rationale behind the timing and location of working with this community
- how this project will help build a sustainable career and professional skills.
3. Impact on career (30%)
The benefit to career development, the significance of the opportunity and how this activity contributes to a diverse contemporary music sector in NSW.
Tell us in detail about:
- the benefits of this activity to your career development
- the rationale behind the timing and its potential impact on long-term career sustainability
- how this contributes to a diverse contemporary music sector in NSW.
Sound NSW is committed to a diverse contemporary music sector in NSW and encourages applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander 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.
4. Viability of the activity (20%)
Your capacity to undertake this activity, timelines and how the budget will be managed:
Tell us in detail about:
- your previous experience specific to the activity
- your plans to deliver the activity, including any key partners or collaborators
- your budget, including a breakdown of your total costs and any other investment in the project.
Minimum fees for musicians
The NSW Government requires that all musicians involved in publicly funded events receive a minimum performance fee of $250 (plus superannuation). 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 First Nations Creation and Professional Development 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.
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: Secretary Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport (DCITHS).
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.
Sound NSW reserves the right to seek further information from the applicant to determine eligibility.
Application Review
After eligibility is confirmed, the application will be evaluated by an assessment panel of at least three industry assessors against the 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 Secretary DCITHS, who may delegate to an Executive Director, 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 funds at Sound NSW.
Application Outcome
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within twelve weeks of the closing date.
Sound NSW will provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants. The format of this feedback may vary depending on the quantity of applications and the resources available.
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
- request further advice and/or clarification from applicants during the assessment process.
Successful grant applications
If successful, you will receive a funding agreement (contract), generally within one month of notification. This outlines the conditions of funding, payment details and grant reporting requirements.
Contracts and payments will only be issued once all outstanding acquittals with Sound NSW and Create NSW are completed.
Sound NSW staff may contact you for additional information as part of this process.
Payment depends on the return of the signed Funding Agreement and completion of any special conditions, variations or outstanding acquittals.
Successful applicants may be asked to provide evidence of First Nations NSW Confirmation & Connection, and adherence to the ICIP and First Nations Protocols before contracting. For more information visit the Aboriginal Arts and Culture Protocols | NSW Government.
Publication of grants information
The Grants Administration Guide (Guide) requires that certain information is published in relation to grants awarded no later than 45 calendar days after the grant agreement takes effect (see section 6.5 of the Guide and Appendix A to the Guide).
This information is also open access information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act), which must be made publicly available unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure of the information.
In accordance with these requirements, relevant information about the grants awarded will be made available on the NSW Government Grants and Funding Finder as soon as possible after the funding agreement is executed. However, if due to the commercial-in-confidence nature of the information provided, the amount of funding provided will not be published.
All records in relation to this decision will be managed in accordance with the requirements of the State Records Act 1998 (NSW).
- If you agree we will publish your name, your LGA, primary location, artform, project title and description and amount of funding for media and communication purposes
- This is subject to privacy legislation
Acknowledgement of NSW Government and Sound NSW
As a recipient of Government funding, you will be expected to acknowledge the support of the NSW Government through Sound NSW in all publications, promotional and advertising materials, public announcements, and professional development activities.
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 project 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:
- Anna Healey, Manager, Music Investments and Partnerships
- Email: info@sound.nsw.gov.au
- Phone number: (02) 9240 8508
Schedule and online meeting to speak to Sound NSW staff using the link to Microsoft Bookings
Visit our website: Sound NSW
For further information please read the frequently asked questions
Image: RIAH performing at Oxford Art Factory, 2026. Photo supplied by RIAH.
Complaint handling
Details on how we handle complaints, access to information and your private information is available at:
Privacy, information access, funding feedback, complaints - Sound NSW | NSW Government
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.