Music Australia Announces Funding For Aus Record Labels

Music Australia has announced funding for Australian record labels, today introducing the Record Label Development Scheme to support homegrown recording artists.

The Record Label Development Scheme will see Music Australia, the dedicated body within Creative Australia, offer grants of up to $150,000 in support to eligible record labels.

The program will award grants between $10,000 and $150,000 to eligible record labels that have been operating for at least three years and have at least three active artists on their rosters.

Grants will go to creating professional recordings, videos, artwork, marketing, promotional campaigns, production, artist development, staffing, and more. To incentivise the manufacture of vinyl and merchandise in environmentally friendly materials, Music Australia will subsequently reimburse the price difference found in the guide offered by Green Music Australia.

Pre-application eligibility is now open and closes on Tuesday, 8 October. 2024. You can find more information on eligibility and how to apply on the Music Australia website.

In a statement, the Director of Music Australia, Millie Millgate, said: 

“The role record labels play in developing our artists is significant, and we need to safeguard them at a time when breaking Australian artists has never been harder. This investment will ensure Australian labels of all sizes, and with different genre focuses, can continue to compete effectively, support their artists, and contribute intrinsic value to a vibrant music ecosystem in Australia.” 

Music Australia’s Record Label Development Scheme has been welcomed by Australian Recording (ARIA) and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA).

ARIA and PPCA CEO Annabelle Herd said of today’s announcement: “This is a fantastic initiative from Music Australia that truly recognises the critical role of Australia’s independent and major labels in developing and exporting local artists to the world. Record labels play an important role investing in and growing local talent, who are more likely to succeed if the domestic industry is larger and more commercially viable.

“This strategic investment from Music Australia is more positive news and will add to Aus music’s continued momentum on our own shores and on the global stage. We’ve spent a lot of time discussing the Australian music ecosystem of late, to which the RLDS will provide an important boost by encouraging a greater investment into critical marketing and promotional activities for artists on our shores.”