Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $150,000
- Application opened: 20 August 2026
- Application closed: 21 September 2026, 2:00 pm
Program objective
This funding program is designed for music businesses and organisations with a track record of delivering significant outcomes for contemporary music in NSW, and aims to:
- develop skills and capacity for artists and acts
- upskill industry professionals and music businesses in best practice and emerging trends
- improve industry standards
- promote NSW music and increase engagement with local music through content creation, collaboration and partnerships
- leverage technology solutions to enhance collaboration and innovation
- support industry-led research and advocacy
- strengthen music communities.
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 music businesses or organisations.
Funding recipients must be:
- currently based in NSW or deliver a significant contribution to the NSW contemporary music sector
- be an incorporated entity or trust (including a trust with a corporate or individual trustee) and hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN), or
- be registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 or the Co-operatives National Law (NSW) set out in the appendix to the Co-operatives (Adoption of National Law) Act 2012.
Applicants will need:
- an active ABN (that’s your Australian Business Number)
- a bank account with the same name as your ABN.
Applicants must also:
- provide at least a 30% co-contribution to the overall project budget (this can include cash and in-kind contributions).
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 (ACFP) guidelines.
Please see the frequently asked questions for further definitions.
Number of applications
- you can only submit one application per round
- you can only receive two Sound NSW grants in competitive programs per financial year.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Funding can support the following activity:
- skills, training and capacity building programs for artists, industry professionals and music businesses
- programs to upskill industry professionals and music businesses in best practice and emerging trends and technologies including AI, marketing and promotion, cultural literacy and safety
- significant technology projects providing solutions to grow audience engagement ie digital platforms, tools and AI
- curated digital content highlighting NSW music artists to drive local music discovery
- industry-led marketing campaigns focused on promoting local NSW music communities
- programs and resources to improve well-being, support workplace and audience safety, accessibility, cultural safety and working with young people
- initiatives that cultivate innovation, collaboration and partnerships locally and internationally
- industry-led research and advocacy.
What costs you can apply for
Funding up to $150,000 can support project costs relating to:
- salaries, wages and fees for staff, researchers, consultants, technical services, industry professionals and artists
- digital platforms, online infrastructure, software and AI tools
- marketing and promotion
- venue hire, catering and production costs
- travel and accommodation costs
- administrative costs.
Who can’t apply
- businesses or organisations not based in NSW, unless the proposal demonstrates a direct impact to the NSW contemporary music sector
- applicants who are unable to provide at least a 30% cash co-contribution to the overall project budget
- applicants who have outstanding acquittals from previous NSW Government funding
- businesses or organisations that have already received two Sound NSW grants this financial year (based on closing date)
- applicants who are not music businesses or organisations
- applicants delivering initiatives in the following artforms:
- experimental music and sound art
- contemporary classical, opera, choral and ensembles
- music theatre.
What costs you can't apply for
- program and operational costs for concerts, festivals and live music events (Please refer to Local Audience Development Grants for support for live music events)
- activities that do not enhance, build and grow NSW’s contemporary music industry or demonstrate a significant benefit to NSW industry
- costs incurred before the advertised activity start date
- activity that has received other NSW Government funding
- the purchase of equipment
- infrastructure and capital works
- activities that directly support the delivery or course requirements of an educational program or course
- fundraising, donations, awards, prize money or competitions.
Please see the frequently asked questions for more info.
What co-contributions are required
Applicants must co-contribute at least 30% of the overall project budget. This can include cash and in-kind contributions. Cash contributions include grants from government (local, state or federal), industry bodies, philanthropic contributions or business income. In-kind contributions can include any donated goods, services or volunteer work to support a project.
Additional eligibility requirements
The project cannot start before 7 December 2026 and must be completed by 31 December 2027.
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 outline of your organisation, your connection to the contemporary music sector in NSW and recent key achievements
- an outline of your project, including how the proposed activity will deliver significant benefits to the contemporary music sector in NSW
- evidence of need for the project
- an outline of how your project aligns with one or more of the program objectives
- evidence of your approach to diversity and inclusion
- evidence of your approach to climate sustainability
- a budget detailing income and expenditure including details of the minimum 30% co-contribution
- links to examples of previous projects
- letters of support
- confirmation from key personnel and partners involved.
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
1. Benefit to the contemporary music sector in NSW (25%)
Evidence of the need and impact of the activity.
Tell us in detail about:
- the need for the project and expected outcomes
- the intended beneficiaries of the project, and your experience working with that group
- the impact of the project for the intended beneficiaries
- in the case of modifying or building upon existing activity, outline the impact of the activity to date and explain how additional investment will improve outcomes.
2. Track record of working with industry (25%)
Evidence of previous experience and successful partnerships.
Tell us in detail about:
- your experience working with industry
- your reach to deliver outcomes across the contemporary music sector in NSW
- evidence of previous successful collaboration and partnerships.
3. Alignment with program objectives (25%)
Alignment with one or more of the program objectives.
Tell us in detail about how your project aligns with one or more of the program objectives:
- develop skills and capacity for artists and acts
- upskill industry professionals and music businesses in best practice and emerging trends
- improve industry standards
- promote NSW music and increase engagement with local music through content creation, collaboration and partnerships
- leverage technology solutions to enhance collaboration and innovation
- support industry-led research and advocacy
- strengthen music communities.
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 (25%)
Your capacity to undertake this activity, manage the budget and timelines, as well as demonstrate partnership opportunities and investment growth.
Tell us in detail about:
- your previous experience delivering similar activity
- in the case of modifying or building upon existing activity, provide evidence of the success of the activity to date
- your reach to deliver outcomes across the contemporary music sector in NSW
- key people and partners involved, including confirmation of their involvement
- partnership and investment opportunities within the project
- your approach to diversity and inclusion
- your approach to climate sustainability
- your budget, including a breakdown of your total costs outlining a minimum 30% co-contribution to the project.
Sound NSW is committed to supporting sustainable business models that stimulate growth and identify strategic partnerships. Evidence of sustainable partnerships and investment opportunities will demonstrate the viability of the proposed activity.
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 Industry 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. Sound NSW reserves the right to seek further information from the applicant to determine eligibility.
If your application is deemed ineligible you will be notified by email within 14 days.
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 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.
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:
- James Sherley, Funding Coordinator
- Email: info@sound.nsw.gov.au
- Phone number: (02) 8276 8698
Schedule an 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: Support Act. Photo by Nico Liengme.
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.