Deadline: 14-Oct-2025
The Creative Australia is inviting applications for its Marketing and Manufacturing Grant Program to support the crucial areas of marketing, promotion, manufacturing and distribution for record labels.
The minimum funding request is $2,000, and the maximum is capped at $10,000. This initiative supports a wide range of activities including the manufacturing and distribution of physical products like vinyl and CDs, digital distribution, Australian-based artwork and design, merchandise production, video and digital content creation, and marketing and promotion of new recordings by Australian artists, along with costs to improve accessibility.
The grants are open to Australian record labels, sole traders or individuals on behalf of partnerships, provided they have at least two active artists on their roster who have released original singles, EPs, or albums in the last two years. Labels must demonstrate that their artistic output meets the Music Australia Council definition of contemporary Australian music. Only one application per round is allowed.
Applicants cannot be artist managers, self-releasing artists, promoters, events companies, groups, or those with overdue reports or outstanding debts to Music Australia or Creative Australia. The scheme does not cover recording, mixing, mastering, live performance expenses, staff costs, insurance, legal fees, or international collaborations.
To apply, labels must complete a budget outlining both grant requests and matched funding contributions. The program requires a 50:50 matched funding arrangement, with contributions in cash rather than in-kind, and evidence such as royalty statements, profit and loss records, bank balances, or merchandise sales must be provided. The total expenditure must be at least double the requested grant amount.
Applications will be assessed on viability and quality. Viability will consider feasibility, planning, timelines, funding evidence, and accessibility, while quality will assess the artistic vision, impact, innovation, and cultural contribution. Support material, including audio from at least two artists, evidence of matched funding, bios of key personnel, and confirmation or support letters, must be submitted. Media can be uploaded in accepted formats or provided via accessible URLs.
This program also encourages environmentally sustainable practices in manufacturing physical products, such as using eco-friendly materials, reducing freight distances, and avoiding single-use plastics. Payment will be made upon documentation received after 1 July 2026.
The deadline for applications is 14 October 2025.
For more information, visit Creative Australia.