Deadline: 16-Sep-2025
Creative Australia has launched the Music Australia Export Development Fund to provide financial assistance to a wide range of Australian music artists. This initiative is aimed at supporting emerging, breakthrough, and established acts across various genres and disciplines. It is open to Australian citizens and permanent residents who are actively engaged in the music industry.
Eligible applicants include solo artists, bands, ensembles, DJs, producers, instrumentalists, composers, songwriters, and electronic musicians. The program provides support through the International Performance and Touring fund, offering matched funding from $5,000 to $75,000 for overseas touring and showcase activities.
Artists can use the funds to cover costs such as artist and team member fees, flights, accommodation, per diems, visas, insurance, ground transport, registration fees for events, and expenses related to accessibility or childcare. Costs aimed at reducing environmental impact are also eligible. However, the fund does not cover domestic activities, international relocation, studio equipment purchases, passport applications, or the manufacture of albums and merchandise.
The fund supports a range of international activities such as headline or support tours, festival performances, commissioned shows, or official showcases. While individual artists or groups can apply, music organizations may also submit applications on behalf of their artists. First Nations artists are especially encouraged to participate, and past recipients may reapply, though priority may go to first-time applicants.
Applications will be assessed on several criteria. Viability includes confirmed activity, realistic budgeting, confirmed funding sources, strong planning, and attention to safety, accessibility, and cultural protocols. Impact is evaluated by the potential to build international markets, relationships, and audiences. Alignment focuses on how the proposal supports national goals outlined in the National Cultural Policy and Music Australia’s objectives.
These goals include advancing First Nations-led culture, ensuring sustainable careers for artists, encouraging global recognition and collaboration, preserving cultural heritage, developing original music, enhancing discoverability, and promoting international cultural diplomacy.
Applicants are not eligible if they have already submitted to this grant round, have outstanding grant reports, owe money to Creative Australia, or are applying for the same activity under another Arts Projects round.
For more information, visit Creative Australia.
