Deadline: 31-Jul-2026
The Touring and Travel Fund is a quick response funding program that supports domestic and international travel activities for NSW contemporary music artists, acts, and music industry professionals. The programme provides assistance with travel and accommodation costs to help participants expand their careers, strengthen industry connections, and create new opportunities within the contemporary music sector.
About the Program
The Touring and Travel Fund supports touring and professional development activities that contribute to the growth of NSW contemporary music.
The programme focuses on:
- Domestic tours
- Domestic professional development opportunities
- Significant international professional development opportunities
- Attendance at music market events
- Workshops
- Camps
- Mentorships
- Residencies
- Business development opportunities
- Travel and accommodation costs
- Strengthening the live music ecosystem
- Increasing domestic performance opportunities
- Supporting professional development
- Growing music audiences for NSW artists
- Building industry networks
- Career development in contemporary music
The programme aims to help participants access opportunities that strengthen their professional practice and industry presence.
Program Objectives
The programme seeks to:
- Support domestic touring activities
- Increase performance opportunities for NSW artists
- Strengthen the live music sector
- Encourage professional development
- Expand industry knowledge and skills
- Facilitate attendance at important music events
- Support international and domestic networking opportunities
- Enhance career sustainability
- Grow audiences for contemporary music
- Promote long-term industry development
Activities should demonstrate clear benefits for professional growth and career progression.
Funding Information
Under the programme:
- Applicants may request funding of up to $5,000 per person.
- Funding supports travel and accommodation expenses associated with eligible activities.
For domestic tours and performances at music market events:
- Funding may support up to six people within a touring party.
- This may include artists and essential support personnel.
Applicants should ensure requested funding aligns with eligible costs.
Eligible Activities
Funding may support:
- Domestic tours
- Domestic performances
- Attendance at domestic music market events
- Attendance at international music market events
- Professional development activities
- Workshops
- Camps
- Mentorships
- Residencies
- Business development opportunities
- Travel expenses
- Accommodation costs
- Networking opportunities
- Industry engagement activities
Activities should contribute directly to professional advancement within the contemporary music sector.
Support Roles Eligible for Funding
For domestic tours and music market events, funding may include support for:
- Artists and performers
- One operational crew member, such as:
- Tour managers
- Key technical production crew members
- One support person assisting with:
- Disability-related needs
- Family responsibilities
- Cultural needs
Support personnel should play an essential role in the proposed activity.
Eligible Applicants
The programme is open to:
- Artists
- Acts
- Music industry professionals
- Music businesses applying on behalf of an artist or act
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have lived in New South Wales for a minimum of 12 months
- Be actively performing or working in contemporary music
- Hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Maintain a bank account registered under the same name as the ABN, or work with a funds administrator
In addition:
- At least 50 percent of the touring party must currently reside in New South Wales and meet the 12-month residency requirement.
Contemporary Music Definition
For the purposes of this programme, contemporary music refers to:
- Artists and acts performing new and original music.
Applicants should ensure that their activities align with this definition.
Ineligible Activities
The programme does not support activities involving:
- Experimental music
- Sound art
- Contemporary classical music
- Opera
- Choral performance
- Ensemble performance
- Music theatre
- Community music groups
Only eligible contemporary music activities will be considered.
Application Requirements
Applicants are expected to provide:
- Evidence of eligibility
- Details of the proposed activity
- Information demonstrating the professional value of the opportunity
- ABN details
- Residency information
- Touring or event participation details
- Information relating to support personnel, where applicable
- A budget outlining eligible travel and accommodation expenses
Applications should clearly explain how the activity will contribute to professional growth and career development.
Expected Outcomes
Supported activities should contribute to:
- Increased touring opportunities
- Enhanced professional skills
- Stronger industry networks
- Expanded audience reach
- Improved career development
- Greater participation in music market events
- Increased industry knowledge
- Stronger live music outcomes
- Sustainable career pathways
- Growth of the NSW contemporary music sector
The programme encourages activities that create meaningful and lasting professional benefits.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Eligibility of the applicant
- Alignment with programme objectives
- Professional value of the proposed activity
- Potential impact on career development
- Contribution to the contemporary music sector
- Suitability of the proposed expenses
- Strength of the opportunity presented
Projects demonstrating clear professional outcomes and sector benefits are encouraged.
Why This Program Matters
Travel and professional development opportunities play a vital role in helping artists and industry professionals build sustainable careers. Access to tours, market events, mentorships, and industry gatherings can open doors to new audiences, collaborations, and business opportunities.
The Touring and Travel Fund helps remove financial barriers by supporting NSW contemporary music professionals to pursue opportunities that strengthen skills, expand networks, and contribute to a thriving live music ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Touring and Travel Fund?
- The programme supports domestic and international travel activities that contribute to touring opportunities and professional development within the NSW contemporary music sector.
How much funding is available?
- Eligible applicants may receive up to $5,000 per person for travel and accommodation expenses.
Who can apply for the programme?
- Artists, acts, music industry professionals, and music businesses applying on behalf of an artist or act may apply if they meet the eligibility requirements.
How many people can be included in a touring party?
- Funding for domestic tours and music market events can support up to six people, including artists and eligible support personnel.
Which support roles are eligible for funding?
- One operational crew member and one support person assisting with disability, family, or cultural needs may be included.
What types of music are eligible?
- The programme supports artists and acts performing new and original contemporary music.
Which activities are not supported?
- Experimental music, sound art, contemporary classical music, opera, choral and ensemble performance, music theatre, and activities involving community music groups are not eligible.
Conclusion
The Touring and Travel Fund provides NSW contemporary music artists and industry professionals with flexible, quick response support to pursue touring and professional development opportunities. By helping cover essential travel and accommodation costs, the programme strengthens the live music ecosystem, supports career growth, and enables participants to expand their impact within Australia and beyond.
For more information, visit NSW Government.