Open NowBusiness2025/26
Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund 2025/26 — NSW
Up to $500K available · Rolling Applications
Sound NSW
This NSW Government grant supports existing large-scale contemporary music festivals in New South Wales facing short-term financial challenges. Funding of up to $500,000 is available for eligible government-related and operational costs to help improve festival viability, business sustainability and job retention.
Funding
Up to $500K
Deadline
Rolling / Ongoing
Duration
Festival to be held within 6 months of application submission; program term to 2026-06-30
Location
New South Wales
Who Can Apply
• Festival is presented in New South Wales
• Programs new and original contemporary music
• Music is the primary focus of the festival
• Approved event capacity of 15,000 and above per day
• Evidence of previously delivering festivals over 15,000 capacity
• Paid and ticketed event
• Has occurred at least five times over the last ten years
• To be held within 6 months of application submission
• Australian owned; part international ownership acceptable but not 100% foreign owned
• Can demonstrate or legally declare solvency
• Does not have New South Wales Government Hallmark status
• Must include an approved safety management plan or health plan
• Must include audited accounts for the last two financial years
• Must include balance sheets for the last three financial years
• Ineligible if festival has already taken place
• Ineligible if presented outside New South Wales
• Ineligible if capacity is 14,999 or under
• Ineligible if first time at capacity over 15,000
• Ineligible if already sold out
Applicants must be music festivals presented in New South Wales that program new and original contemporary music, have music as the festival's primary focus, have approved event capacity of at least 15,000 per day, and can show evidence of previously delivering festivals over 15,000 capacity. The festival must be a paid and ticketed event, have occurred at least five times over the last ten years, be held within 6 months of application submission, be Australian owned (not 100% foreign owned), be solvent or able to legally declare solvency, and not have New South Wales Government Hallmark status. Applicants must provide an approved safety management plan or health plan, audited accounts for the last two financial years, and balance sheets for the last three financial years. Ineligible festivals include those already held, outside New South Wales, not programming eligible contemporary music, with capacity 14,999 or under, first-time festivals over 15,000 capacity, festivals not held at least five times in the last ten years, festivals not occurring within the next 6 months, 100% internationally owned festivals, insolvent festivals, sold-out festivals, and festivals with New South Wales Government Hallmark status.
What's Funded
Funding supports government-related and operational costs for established contemporary music festivals in New South Wales, including police, medical and ambulance costs, fees for New South Wales government-owned venues, insurance, venue hire, security, production and staffing.Before you apply
Check Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund 2025/26 fit and evidence gaps before 30 Apr 2026
Use this business grant page to sanity-check eligibility, funding fit, evidence gaps and application effort before you commit days to drafting. If you already know the grant you want, the 48-hour audit gives a practical go/no-go view, reviewer-readiness score and next-step risks.
Get a 48-hour grant fit auditExpected Outcomes
Recipients are expected to deliver an eligible contemporary music festival in New South Wales, improve short-term festival viability, retain business operations and jobs, and provide reporting and financial acquittal demonstrating delivery and financial need.Key Information
Applicant Types
companyother
Stage
established
Funding Purposes
communityemploymentother
Keywords
music festivalcontemporary musiclive musicfestival viabilityoperational costsgovernment-related costsNew South WalesSound NSW
Frequently Asked Questions
1
What is the Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund 2025/26?
The Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund 2025/26 is a business grant offered by Sound NSW in Australia, providing Up to $500K in funding. This NSW Government grant supports existing large-scale contemporary music festivals in New South Wales facing short-term financial challenges. Funding of up to $500,000 is available for eligible government-related and operational costs to help improve festival viability, business sustainability and job retention.
2
How much funding does the Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund 2025/26 provide?
The Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund 2025/26 provides Up to $500K in funding. The typical project duration is Festival to be held within 6 months of application submission; program term to 2026-06-30.
3
Who is eligible for the Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund 2025/26?
- Festival is presented in New South Wales
- Programs new and original contemporary music
- Music is the primary focus of the festival
- Approved event capacity of 15,000 and above per day
- Evidence of previously delivering festivals over 15,000 capacity
- Paid and ticketed event
- Has occurred at least five times over the last ten years
- To be held within 6 months of application submission
- Australian owned; part international ownership acceptable but not 100% foreign owned
- Can demonstrate or legally declare solvency
- Does not have New South Wales Government Hallmark status
- Must include an approved safety management plan or health plan
- Must include audited accounts for the last two financial years
- Must include balance sheets for the last three financial years
- Ineligible if festival has already taken place
- Ineligible if presented outside New South Wales
- Ineligible if capacity is 14,999 or under
- Ineligible if first time at capacity over 15,000
- Ineligible if already sold out
4
When does the Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund 2025/26 close?
Applications close on 30 Apr 2026. This is a rolling program — new rounds may open.
5
What activities are funded?
Funding supports government-related and operational costs for established contemporary music festivals in New South Wales, including police, medical and ambulance costs, fees for New South Wales government-owned venues, insurance, venue hire, security, production and staffing.
6
How do I apply for the Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund 2025/26?
Start by checking your eligibility using the free Beta Docs eligibility checker. If eligible, Beta Docs' AI-powered platform can help you draft, review, and refine your application to maximise your chances of success.
Need help applying?
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