Apply for Music Australia Record Label Development Scheme

At the heart of what they do, labels finance the production and recording of artists’ music in order to support their artistic and career development. Labels are taking on financial risk and providing the essential support, knowledge, and expertise required for artists to break through the noise.

The fund aims to provide financial support to Australian record labels, from local independents through to major label subsidiaries. An injection of capital in the form of direct grants, the Record Label Development Scheme requires applicants to provide a compelling contribution to ensure that a maximum ROI is achieved from the investment.

Concerns with Australian artist discoverability and cut through, the fragmented media environment, and the potential impacts of emergent technologies and AI-generated music, are all significantly impairing the operations of their labels sector.

Rising production costs, the shift from physical sales to digital formats, and the need to invest heavily in artist promotion and development in a highly saturated market, all pose significant challenges to a label’s ability to remain financially viable, and subsequently invest in and support Australian talent.

Funding Information

• Grants are available from $10,000 to $150,000 to eligible Australian record labels, and Australian subsidiaries of multinational record labels, that have been operating for a minimum of 3 years.

Outcomes

• Number of artists supported.
• Number of new recordings supported.
• Number of new performance opportunities for artists (including online).
• Online and social media impact (metrics).
• Traditional media impact (metrics), radio/video plays, interviews, articles, reviews, etc.
• Critical success of supported projects.
• Sustainability of activity outcomes.
• Sales success of supported activities: units sold, streams, ticket revenue, etc.
• Company growth/increased revenue.
• Number of international markets targeted.
• Increased revenue from international sales.
• Jobs created/retained.
• Tangible initiatives to improve or further embed diversity, equity and inclusion within company operations (i.e. staff training, hiring practices, artist signings).

Eligible Activities

• Applicants must demonstrate clear and measurable outcomes for the investment, which can contribute towards costs, associated with a variety of eligible activities, including:
  • Professional recordings, that enhance and increase the quality of output, whilst also contributing to the economic wellbeing of Australian recording studios, engineers and producers.
  • Create high quality visual production including videos, digital content and artwork.
  • Significant marketing and promotional campaigns aimed at building an artist’s brand and increasing their visibility and market penetration.
  • Costs associated with production, manufacturing and freight of vinyl, CDs and cassettes (preferably manufactured in Australia and using sustainable materials).
  • Artist development that includes refining an artist’s craft, honing artistic vision and enhancing professional skills, enabling them to grow and succeed.
  • Outlays in technology that enhance business capabilities, the recruitment of additional staff and opportunities that lead to professional development training.

Eligibility Criteria

• This grant is open to organisations, partnerships and sole traders that are Australian domestic record labels and Australian subsidiaries of multinational record labels and have been operating for a minimum of 3 years.
• To be considered eligible for the Music Australia Record Label Development Scheme, applying labels must:
  • Have an ABN.
  • Derive most of their revenue from the exploitation of master recordings of which they own or have licensed the copyright.
  • Deliver A&R and creative development services to their signed artists.
  • Have minimum annual recorded music trade revenues of $40,000 from core business activities earned as a record label, from their Australian roster.
  • Have a minimum of 3 artists that all meet the eligibility threshold of 5000 followers/fans, on any one of the following platforms: Amazon Music, Bandcamp, Discord, Facebook, Instagram, Soundcloud, Spotify, Tidal, TikTok, YouTube Music, or the artist’s mailing list.
  • Have a minimum of 3 active Australian musical artists on their roster. Active artists are defined as having had a release by the label in the last 18 months.
  • Have released at least 5 x singles and 1 x EP and/or 1 x LP of Australian artist recordings within the last 12 months.

For more information, visit Creative Australia.