Live Music Australia Program

To be eligible you must:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be registered for the purposes of GST
• be a permanent resident of Australia
• have an account with an Australian financial institution
• comply with all regulatory, industry and legal requirements in relation to copyright, licensing and employment

and be one of the following entity types:

• a company incorporated in Australia
• a company incorporated by guarantee
• a sole trader with employees
• an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
• an incorporated association
• a partnership
• an incorporated not-for-profit organisation
• an Australian local government body
• an Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006

Only applications from the following are accepted:

• venues that host live performances of original music by Australian artists
• organisations that support live original Australian music.

You are not eligible to apply if you are:

• an individual (unless you are a sole trader with employees)
• unincorporated association
• overseas resident or organisation
• any organisation not included in section 4.1 of the guidelines

See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible applicants.

You can only spend the grant on eligible expenditure you have incurred on the grant activities, as per the project budget included in your grant agreement. Expenditure on your grant activities must occur between the start date and end date of your grant agreement for it to be eligible.

Artists and professionals employed or engaged to deliver activities funded under the program must be fairly remunerated for their work and provided with safe and respectful workplaces. Legally-binding industrial awards and enterprise agreements must be adhered to, and related costs must be reflected in your budget.

You cannot use the grant for the following activities:

• tours by individual bands
• incoming tours by international bands or performers
• performances by covers artists or groups, tribute bands or DJs (except for DJs that predominately perform their own compositions and productions and/or official remixes)
• purchase of land
• major capital expenditure such as extensions to buildings
• the covering of retrospective costs
• costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application or related documentation
• subsidy of general ongoing administration of an organisation such as electricity, phone and rent
• overseas travel
• activities for which other Commonwealth, state, territory or local government bodies have primary responsibility.

See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible expenditure.

1. The degree to which the grant will contribute to achieving the objectives and outcomes of Live Music Australia

• how the activity will support predominantly original live Australian music, including support for diverse or under-represented contemporary music genres and performances by both local and visiting Australian musicians
• how many performances of original Australian music artists will be supported by the activity and how this differs or expands on normal activity
• how many venues will be supported by your activity and if multiple venues are involved, a letter of commitment for each
• how the activity, or the venue/s, create and maintain support for diverse artists and bands and safe spaces for performers and audiences
• how the activity will grow and build audiences.

2. The demonstrated expertise and capacity of the organisation to undertake the grant activity.

• prior experience in managing funds (for example, your business) and/or acquitting government
  funding
• appropriate business or governance structures in place
• experience of personnel undertaking the activity.

3. The demonstrated need for the grant

• provision of a balanced and realistic budget showing requested grant amount and projected expenses
• provide evidence of co-contributions to the activity, this may include:
  1. cash or in-kind support, and could be your own contribution (for example, ticket sales),
     and/or support from any partners in your project
  2. co-investment from other sources including Commonwealth, state, territory or local
     government
• providing documentation showing the need for the activity such as an audit by a qualified engineer (sound/acoustic improvements, disability access etc.), quotes or other comparisons which demonstrate value of money
• value with money

See the guidelines for full details of assessment criteria.

You should read and understand the guidelines.

You need to ensure your organisation is eligible for the funding. Organisations that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

• clearly articulated and achievable outcomes that align with the program objectives of increasing and diversifying Australian original live music performances
• a realistic budget that provides evidence of a genuine need for funding and value for money
• a track record of supporting the performance of original Australian live music
• the expertise and necessary structures in place to support successful completion of the project within the agreed timeline
• commitment to hosting original Australian live music

Applicants must provide the following documents:

• a project budget
• a work plan
• evidence of funding need (e.g., quotes if relevant).
• evidence of support from the community or industry (as relevant)

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Applications are submitted via the SmartyGrants portal.

Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.