Revive Live Grant Opportunity

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Be registered for GST.
• Be a permanent resident of Australia.
• Hold an account with an Australian financial institution.
• Comply with all relevant copyright, licensing, employment, planning and environmental requirements.

Eligible organisations include:

• Companies incorporated in Australia.
• Companies limited by guarantee.
• Sole traders with employees.
• Incorporated trustees acting on behalf of a trust.
• Incorporated associations.
• Partnerships.
• Incorporated not-for-profit organisations.
• Australian local government bodies.
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporations registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.

Applicants must also:

• Have a primary purpose of hosting live public performances of original contemporary music, with a strong focus on Australian artists (local government bodies are exempt from this requirement).
• Demonstrate at least three years’ experience delivering live music.
• Be a majority Australian-owned organisation, including any parent or related companies.

Who is not eligible?

The following are not eligible to apply:

• Individuals (unless they are sole traders with employees).
• Unincorporated associations.
• Overseas organisations or residents.
• Organisations that derive income from gambling or gambling-related activities.
• Organisations whose delivery of original live music is only a secondary or ancillary function.
• Organisations that do not meet the eligibility requirements listed above.
• Organisations, or project partners, listed on the National Redress Scheme’s register of institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme.

Assessment weighting

• The program includes five assessment criteria.
• Criteria 1–4 are equally weighted.
• Criterion 5 is optional and only applies to projects that include activities to improve accessibility for people with disability.

Criterion 1 – Creating sustainable and resilient live music venues and festivals

Applicants should demonstrate:

• How the project addresses current barriers to hosting original Australian live music.
• How funding will help the venue continue operating or help prevent cancellation of the festival.
• How the project will improve resilience to future challenges and risks.
• How upgrades to facilities, equipment or infrastructure will strengthen the delivery of live music.
• How staff capability will be improved through training, professional development or employment opportunities.
• At least three years’ experience delivering live music as the organisation’s primary activity.
• Appropriate governance, management structures and experienced personnel.
• Experience managing and acquitting government funding, where applicable.

Criterion 2 – Demonstrated need for grant funding

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Why grant funding is necessary for the project to proceed.
• A realistic, balanced and well-supported project budget.
• Clear evidence of project costs and value for money.
• Appropriate cash or in-kind co-contributions.
• Any additional funding sources supporting the project.
• Quotes, engineering reports or other documentation supporting project costs where relevant.
• That Revive Live funding will not duplicate activities already funded through other government grants.
• That the proposed project represents good value for public investment.

Criterion 3 – Supporting original Australian live music

Applicants should demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to presenting original contemporary Australian music.
• Opportunities for both local and visiting Australian artists.
• Support for under-represented contemporary music genres.
• Initiatives that strengthen regional touring opportunities.
• The number of original Australian performances that will be delivered.
• The number of venues benefiting from the project.
• Letters of commitment from participating venues where multiple venues are involved.

Criterion 4 – Development of audiences

Applicants should demonstrate:

• How the project creates safe, welcoming and inclusive live music experiences.
• How it improves equity and participation across diverse audiences.
• How current barriers to audience growth will be addressed.
• Practical strategies for increasing attendance and growing audiences.
• How programming reflects Australia’s diversity and supports stronger cultural participation.

Criterion 5 (Optional) – Creating opportunities for people with disability

This criterion only applies where accessibility forms part of the proposed project.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Existing barriers faced by artists, music workers and audiences with disability.
• How the project will improve ongoing accessibility and participation.
• Specific accessibility improvements that will be delivered.
• How these improvements are better than current arrangements.
• Consultation undertaken with people with disability and/or accessibility specialists.
• How the project will create meaningful, long-term improvements rather than one-off changes.

Value for money considerations

In addition to the assessment criteria, applications are assessed on overall value for money. Assessors will consider:

• How well the project aligns with the objectives of the Revive Live Program.
• The quality and feasibility of the proposed activities.
• The amount of funding requested relative to expected outcomes.
• Whether the project demonstrates a genuine need for grant funding.
• The applicant’s experience, governance and delivery capability.
• The project’s likely contribution to Australia’s live music sector.
• Geographic spread across Australia, including metropolitan, regional and remote areas.
• How the project compares with other eligible applications seeking funding.

Revive Live is a competitive grant program, so meeting the eligibility requirements alone does not guarantee funding. Successful applicants should demonstrate the following:

• The organisation is eligible and has a strong track record of delivering live music.
• The project supports the objectives and intended outcomes of the Revive Live Program.
• There is a genuine need for grant funding.
• The project will improve the sustainability and resilience of the venue or festival.
• The project supports original contemporary Australian music and creates opportunities for Australian artists.
• The project will deliver clear benefits to audiences and the wider live music sector.
• The project represents good value for money.
• The budget is realistic, balanced and supported by evidence such as quotes or cost estimates.
• Appropriate co-contributions have been secured and clearly identified.
• The organisation has the experience, governance and personnel required to successfully deliver the project.
• The project includes practical plans for delivery, risk management and ongoing sustainability.
• The proposal addresses current barriers facing the venue or festival.
• The project demonstrates strong audience development strategies.
• Where relevant, the project improves accessibility for artists, music workers and audiences with disability.
• Any accessibility initiatives have been informed through consultation with people with disability or accessibility specialists.
• Supporting documentation is complete, current and directly relevant to the proposed project.
• The application clearly explains how the project will achieve measurable outcomes and provide lasting benefits to Australia’s live music industry.
• The application is submitted through SmartyGrants before the closing date with all required attachments included.

Before applying, applicants should prepare the following information and supporting documentation:

• A completed online application through SmartyGrants.
• A detailed project description explaining what will be delivered, where, when and how.
• A short public project summary (maximum 25 words).
• A realistic and balanced project budget.
• A work plan outlining key project activities, milestones and completion dates.
• Quotes for equipment, services, consultants or other major project costs.
• Evidence demonstrating the need for grant funding and value for money.
• Details of all co-contributions, including cash and in-kind support.
• Information on any other funding sources supporting the project.
• Evidence of at least three years’ experience delivering live music.
• Details of key personnel, governance arrangements and organisational capability.
• Evidence of previous experience managing government funding, where applicable.
• Information about proposed live music programming, including the number of performances and Australian artists supported.
• Current and future programming that demonstrates an ongoing commitment to original Australian live music.
• Current letters of support from artists, promoters, community organisations, local councils or industry partners, where relevant.
• Letters of commitment from participating venues or project partners if multiple venues or organisations are involved.
• Documentation supporting accessibility initiatives, such as an Accessibility Plan or evidence of consultation with disability organisations, where applicable.
• Information demonstrating how artists will be fairly remunerated, including payment of appropriate performance fees.
• Details of audience development, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Information about any potential conflicts of interest.
• Details of any outstanding Australian Government grant reports or acquittals, if applicable.

Applications for the Revive Live Program must be submitted online through SmartyGrants.

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