Deadline: 23-Jun-2026
The Music Australia Core Contribution Fund, administered under Music Australia, provides multi-year operational funding to Australian music industry representative organisations that deliver continuous services to the contemporary Australian music sector. The program is designed to strengthen organisational stability, workforce capacity, and long-term sustainability of peak bodies, associations, and member-based organisations supporting Australian music creators and industry professionals.
Program Overview
This fund aims to:
- Strengthen the Australian contemporary music industry ecosystem
- Support organisations representing artists and music professionals
- Provide stable core operational and staffing funding
- Improve long-term sustainability of industry representative bodies
- Ensure equitable and diverse representation across the music sector
Eligible organisations must primarily serve defined music industry cohorts such as genre-based groups, regional music communities, or equity-focused networks.
Definition of Contemporary Music
Funding supports organisations aligned with Music Australia’s definition of contemporary music, meaning music that is:
- New and original
- Relevant to contemporary Australian culture
- Created, composed, produced, or performed by Australians
- Distributed or presented through commercial or non-commercial channels
Funding Details
- Total funding per organisation: $100,000–$140,000 over 2 years
- Annual funding range: $50,000–$70,000 per year
- Duration: 2-year funding cycle
- Purpose: Core operational and staffing support
Funding is intended for:
- Organisational operations
- Staffing and administration
- Industry representation activities
- Continuous service delivery to members
Eligible Applicants
Eligible organisations must:
- Be registered under Australian law
- Incorporated associations
- Companies limited by guarantee
- Statutory authorities established by law
- Be music industry representative organisations
- Provide continuous services to the contemporary music sector
- Represent defined cohorts (e.g., genre, region, equity group, or membership category)
Ineligible Applicants
The following are not eligible:
- Individuals or informal groups
- Trusts or partnerships
- Educational or training institutions
- Local councils
- Radio stations
- Record labels and distributors
- Music publishing companies
- Commercial production companies
Also ineligible:
- Organisations already receiving multi-year funding from Creative Australia under:
- National Performing Arts Framework
- Four Year Investment programs
- Delivery Partnerships
Application Requirements (Typical Structure)
Applicants are expected to demonstrate:
- Clear representation of a defined music industry cohort
- Continuous service delivery to members or sector stakeholders
- Organisational capacity and governance structure
- Alignment with contemporary Australian music objectives
- Clear staffing and operational budget plans
- Evidence of sector impact and industry engagement
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Confirm eligibility as a music industry representative organisation
- Define represented cohort (genre, region, equity group, or sector)
- Prepare organisational and operational funding plan
- Demonstrate alignment with contemporary music definition
- Submit application through Music Australia funding portal
- Assessment and evaluation by industry panel
- Funding decision and 2-year agreement period
Key Restrictions
- Funding is for core operations only, not individual artist projects
- Commercial music businesses are not eligible
- No funding for labels, publishers, or distributors
- Must demonstrate ongoing sector-wide representation
- Cannot overlap with certain existing Creative Australia funding streams
Purpose and Impact
The program is designed to:
- Stabilise key music industry organisations in Australia
- Strengthen representation of diverse music communities
- Improve governance and sustainability of sector bodies
- Support long-term development of contemporary Australian music
- Enhance industry coordination and advocacy capacity
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who can apply for this fund?
Australian-registered music industry representative organisations such as peak bodies or member associations.
2. What is the funding amount?
Between $100,000 and $140,000 over two years.
3. Can individuals apply?
No, individuals and informal groups are not eligible.
4. What types of organisations are excluded?
Record labels, publishers, distributors, radio stations, councils, and educational institutions.
5. What does “contemporary music” mean?
Music that is original, current, Australian-created, and part of the modern music industry ecosystem.
6. Can organisations already funded by Creative Australia apply?
No, organisations receiving certain multi-year Creative Australia funding are ineligible.
7. What can the funding be used for?
Core operations, staffing, governance, and continuous industry service delivery.
Conclusion
The Music Australia Core Contribution Fund provides essential multi-year operational support to strengthen representative organisations within Australia’s contemporary music sector, ensuring long-term stability, equitable representation, and sustainable industry development.
For more information, visit Creative Australia.