Funding for large-scale contemporary music festivals in NSW
Provides one-off grants to improve short-term viability of established large-scale contemporary music festivals presented in NSW by contributing to government-related and operational costs so festivals can deliver while facing financial challenges.
Who can apply
A music festival that:
- is presented in NSW
- programs new and original contemporary music
- has music as the primary focus of the festival
- has approved event capacity of 15,000 and above per day
- has evidence of previously delivering festivals over 15,000 capacity
- is a paid and ticketed event
- has occurred at least five times over the last ten years
- is to be held within 6 months of application submission
- is Australian owned (part international ownership is acceptable, but the festival must not be 100% foreign owned)
- can demonstrate/legally declare solvency
- does not have NSW Government Hallmark status
For the purpose of this program:
- a music festival is defined as an advertised event that calls itself a music festival, has music as its primary focus, consists of at least five performances, is marketed under a single banner with a collective running time of at least five hours, and can be single or consecutive multiple days
- a contemporary music festival refers to a festival that is predominantly programming artists and acts performing new and original music
Additional eligibility requirements: Applicants are required to include an approved safety management plan (SMP) or health plan, audited accounts for the last two financial years, and balance sheets for the last three financial years.
(Also: the program states festivals must be presented in NSW, program new and original contemporary music, have approved event capacity of at least 15,000 per day, have occurred at least five times over the last ten years, be Australian owned or have part international ownership, and be currently experiencing financial challenges.)
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Last updated: 12 February 2026