Deadline Date: December 02, 2025
The Music Australia Export Development Fund is a bold partnership between the Australian Government and the Australian music industry – a matched funding initiative designed to provide financial support to a diverse range of Australian artists.
The program focuses on supporting emerging, breakthrough and established acts and is made available to Australian citizens or permanent residents who are current practising music professionals. It is designed to support international touring and showcase activity, with matched funding of $5,000 to $75,000. Eligible activity must start between 1 April 2026 and 30 June 2026 and be completed within 12 months. The activity must meet the definition of contemporary Australian music: “any genre or subgenre of music currently composed, written, produced by Australians and licensed, recorded, presented, and distributed through commercial and non-commercial activity. For the purposes of Music Australia’s initial investments, the focus will be on musical works that are new, original and relevant to contemporary Australia.”
This category supports international performance and touring activities, including headline tours, support tours, opening slots, festival or Biennale appearances, commissioned performances, and official showcase performances. Applicants may also include all costs associated with completing their export activity, such as artist and creative worker fees, flights, accommodation, per diems, ground transport, travel insurance, visas, freight or baggage costs, and childcare or carer support. Costs related to access and environmental impact reduction are also eligible.
Applicants must demonstrate matched funding equal to or greater than the grant amount requested, with evidence included in the support material. The opportunity is open to Australian artists, composers, and creators individually or in groups, as well as organisations and music businesses applying on behalf of artists. Multiple Australian artists or groups touring together, such as headline and support acts, may also apply. First Nations applicants are encouraged to apply.
For more information, visit Creative Australia.
