Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Up to $150,000
- Application opened: 21 November 2025
- Application closes: 23 February 2026, 11:00 am
Program objective
Available grants up the value of $150,000 (ex GST) will support the purchase of equipment and a range of infrastructure development works.
Infrastructure works:
- soundproofing
- ventilation
- accessibility
- energy efficiency improvements.
Equipment:
- purchase of production equipment (sound, lighting and staging)
This funding aims to:
- Build capability of dedicated live music venues to deliver world class audience and visitor experiences
- Increase the number of fit-for-purpose live music venues in NSW
- Increase sector knowledge and expertise in best practice sound management and sustainable live music programming
- Reduce sound impact on neighbours, leading to less complaints and increased business viability
- Increase diversity of live music offerings
This program is administered by Sound NSW (Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport).
Eligibility
Who can apply
This program is only for dedicated NSW live music venues.
For the purpose of this grant, dedicated live music venues should meet the following definitions:
- be based in NSW
- be licensed or unlicensed
- where live music is the primary function of the business
- programming contemporary live music that is predominantly new and original
- where original contemporary live music programming is prominent in the business marketing
- have a room or space is dedicated to live music that is a significant part of the venue and contains appropriate infrastructure to support regular performances, for example, a separate auditorium, lighting, a sound desk, etc
- be committed to best industry practices and have formal arrangements in place establishing payments for artist performances
- have an active OneMusic Licence for Live Music performances
Applicants must also:
- Program live music:
- Metropolitan Venues: Programming will occur at least ten (10) nights per month
- Regional Venues: Programming will occur on average two (2) nights per week.
- be identified as essential to the domestic touring live music ecosystem
- have majority Australian ownership
- hold a lease or occupancy agreement with at least 2 years from the application close date remaining of the current term (where the premises aren’t owned by the operator)
- provide relevant venue assessment reports (for infrastructure funding)
- venues operating more than 10 gaming machines must provide a comparative analysis of live music investment and gaming machine revenue, to determine the venue’s impact to the contemporary live music ecosystem.
Applicants must satisfy ONE of the following criteria:
- 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
Any request to have the co-contribution waived, will be at the absolute discretion of the Department. An applicant who is seeking to have the co-contribution waived is required to clearly document the reasons why the waiver is being sought.
Special consideration may be given to venues who do not meet the eligibility criteria if they can demonstrate significant contribution to the contemporary live music ecosystem. Please contact Sound NSW to discuss.
Any waiver of the eligibility requirements for applicants will be undertaken in accordance with the Grants Administration Guide and will be informed by whether the eligibility criteria would:
- lead to perverse or unfair outcomes;
- be contrary to policy intent;
- damage the reputation and integrity of the grant program
Any decision to waive eligibility criteria will be made by the decision maker at their absolute discretion.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Available grants up to the value of $150,000 (ex GST) will support the purchase of equipment and a range of infrastructure development works.
Infrastructure works:
- soundproofing
- ventilation
- accessibility
- energy efficiency improvements.
Equipment:
- purchase of production equipment (sound, lighting and staging)
Applicants must co-contribute at least 30% of the of the overall project budget (this can include cash and in-kind contributions). In kind contributions can include any donated goods, services or volunteer work to support a project.
When the project can start and end
The project should be started by 1 June 2026 and the project must be completed by 1 June 2027.
Who can’t apply
- any business or organisation located outside NSW
- venues with member-only access i.e. venues not usually accessible by the general public (e.g. venues primarily hosting private invite-only functions)
- venues operated by Government (Federal, State or Local), or Education providers. Crown leased properties are eligible where operated by an otherwise eligible entity
- religious institutions
- venues that are vessels (boats on water) or mobile venues of no fixed address
- venues with Producer / Wholesale, Limited, Pop-up or Packaged Liquor Licences
- venues that do not hold a lease or occupancy agreement with at least 2 years from the application close date remaining of the current term (where the premises aren’t owned by the operator).
- venues that have not been operating for at least 12 months at the time of submitting application
- venues that do not hold a OneMusic Licence for Live Music performances
- venues that cannot provide relevant venue assessment reports (for infrastructure funding).
- organisations that have not met project requirements (including acquittal and reporting) for previous funding received from Sound NSW
- venues that have received funding for Live Performance Venue Grants Round 2 25/26
- venues unable to provide a co-contribution of at least 30% of the overall project budget
Any request to have the co-contribution waived, will be at the absolute discretion of the Department. An applicant who is seeking to have the co-contribution waived is required to clearly document the reasons why the waiver is being sought.
Special consideration may be given to venues who do not meet the eligibility criteria if they can demonstrate significant contribution to the contemporary live music ecosystem. Please contact Sound NSW to discuss.
Any waiver of the eligibility requirements for applicants will be undertaken in accordance with the Grants Administration Guide and will be informed by whether the eligibility criteria would:
- lead to perverse or unfair outcomes;
- be contrary to policy intent;
- damage the reputation and integrity of the grant program
Any decision to waive eligibility criteria will be made by the decision maker at their absolute discretion.
What co-contributions are required
Applicants must co-contribute at least 30% of the of the overall project budget (this can include cash and in-kind contributions). In kind contributions can include any donated goods, services or volunteer work to support a project.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Applicants must submit the following as part of their application. These materials will all form part of the assessment.
- an outline of your experience in delivering contemporary music programming
- evidence of delivering contemporary music programming
- an outline of how the venue contributes to increasing diversity of live music offering to improve audience experiences
- an outline of how the grant will support improvements that enable the venue to be fit-for purpose
- an outline of your venue’s contribution to and support of the domestic touring circuit
- an outline of how the grant will enhance expertise and establish best practice business operations.
- detailed project plan with proposed scope of work based on venue assessment reports
- relevant venue assessment reports (for infrastructure funding)
- a budget detailing income and expenditure, 30% co-contribution (cash and/or in-kind contributions). In kind contributions can include any donated goods, services or volunteer work to support a project
- a contingency fund of at least 10% and not included within the co-contribution
- copies of 2 quotes for each labour or purchase expense over $5,000 (ex GST). One quote per budget item under $5,000 (ex GST).
- confirmation of the appropriate planning pathway for any works proposed (exempt, complying, DA, heritage considerations).
- venues operating more than 10 gaming machines must provide a comparative analysis of live music investment and gaming machine revenue, to determine the venue’s impact to the contemporary live music ecosystem.
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 and supporting documentation) will be assessed against the following criteria.
Criteria 1 - Impact to the contemporary live music ecosystem (40%)
Evidence of new and original contemporary music programming, the established relationships with artist and music businesses and how this is increasing diversity of live music to improve audience experiences.
Tell us in detail about:
- your experience in delivering contemporary music programming (include examples)
- demonstrate frequency of live music programming (Metropolitan Venues programming must occur at least ten (10) nights per month and Regional Venues programming must occur on average two (2) nights per week)
- feature predominately original, contemporary music, supporting local or emerging artists and showcasing Australian talent
- the key people involved in delivering live music programming
- demonstrated diversity of live music programming through community engagement
- demonstrate significant contribution to the local and touring music ecosystems
- support letters from relevant artists and music businesses
- venues operating more than 10 gaming machines must submit a comparative analysis of live music investment and poker machine revenue.
Criteria 2 - Benefit to the live music venue (30%)
Evidence that this grant will enable improvements for the venue to be fit-for purpose, enhance expertise and establish best practice business operations.
Tell us in detail about:
- existing infrastructure of dedicated live music space (e.g., stage, sound equipment, lighting).
- what improvements you are seeking funding for and how this will ensure the venue is fit-for-purpose for live music programming
- your commitment to accessibility, sustainable operations, and sound management practices i.e. energy efficiency and soundproofing measures to minimize neighbourhood impact, balancing venue activities with community interests.
- how the activity will compliment this funding to enhance expertise and establish best practice business operations
- support letter from premises (building) owner for proposed grant where premises not owned by the applicant
Criteria 3 - Viability of the venue upgrades (30%)
Demonstrate your capacity to deliver the venue upgrades and contribute financially.
Provide the following documentation:
- detailed project plan with proposed scope of work based on venue assessment reports
- relevant venue assessment reports (for infrastructure funding)
- a budget detailing income and expenditure, 30% co-contribution (cash and/or in-kind contributions). In kind contributions can include any donated goods, services or volunteer work to support a project
- a contingency fund of at least 10% and not included within the co-contribution
- copies of 2 quotes for each labour or purchase expense over $5,000 (ex GST). One quote per budget item under $5,000 (ex GST)
- confirmation of the appropriate planning pathway for any works proposed (exempt, complying, DA, heritage considerations).
Additional Considerations
Sound NSW is committed to a diverse contemporary music sector in NSW and encourages applications from venues owned and operated by, or that cater for, First Nations people, people who identify as women and non-binary, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and venues located in Western Sydney and regional and remote communities.
Start the application
Sound NSW uses the secure online grants system, SmartyGrants, to manage all its grant programs. 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: 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 advised by email within 14 days of the assessment.
Application Review
If your application is eligible, the application will be evaluated by an assessment panel including representatives from Sound NSW and Create NSW as well as a representative with relevant experience from the industry assessor pool based on the criteria and 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 also have oversight from a probity representative.
The assessment panel will make their recommendations to the designated decision-maker and successful applications will be approved by the Secretary, Department of Creative Industries Tourism, Hospitality and Sport (DCITHS), 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 the assessment 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
Application Outcome
Applicants will be notified of the decision within 4 weeks of the assessment date.
Sound NSW will provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants, where requested.
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 NSW government 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 receive funding in two milestone payments:
- Milestone One – 70% of approved funds on approval of project plan and budget execution of funding deed
- Milestone Two – Remaining 30% of approved funds on acquittal of the project.
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. Create NSW and the NSW Audit Office reserves the right to undertake an audit of Program funding and support within seven years.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is 4 weeks of the assessment date
Support and contact
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
Contact Details
Rosie Saul
Email: info@sound.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 9228 3603
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: City Recital Hall Femi Kuti and the Positive Force 2023 Photo jessgleeson
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.
In the instance the Expression of Interest approver (Head of Sound NSW) has a conflict of interest, the Executive Director, 24-Hour, Screen and Sound will be the approver. In their absence or in the instance they have a conflict, the Deputy Secretary 24-Hour, Screen and Sound will be the approver.
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.