Support Act has secured funding to lead a landmark Review into the experiences of First Nations artists and workers within Australia’s music industry.
Along with the launch, the music industry charity is looking for an independent First Nations-led research partner to undertake the work of establishing the Review.
The Review, titled Raising Our Voices, is supported by Sound NSW’s recent rollout of its Contemporary Music Development Grants.
It’s set to examine important factors of the music industry experience, such as cultural safety, representation, and participation. Raising Our Voices will feature the voices of First Nations music workers across metropolitan, regional, and remote Australia.
The first phase of the Raising Our Voices Review is a research program funded by the NSW Government via Sound NSW. Next, the second phase will welcome other states and territories, as well as additional funding from Creative Workplaces, Creative Victoria, Music Australia, The Tony Foundation, and the funders of the 2022 Raising Their Voices report.
Support Act’s First Nations Program Manager, Catherine Satour, will lead the research going into the Review. Satour will be joined by a First Nations Steering Committee providing cultural governance, guidance, and music industry expertise.
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The impressive Steering Committee includes figures such as Music NSW’s Kaleena Smith, NATSIMO’s Leah Flanagan and Nathaniel Andrew, ARIA and PPCA’s Julia Robinson, SBS/NITV and Nova FM’s Matty Mills, Bad Apples and Camp Cope’s Kelly Hellmrich, Awesome Blak’s Travis De Vries, Clapsticks Productions’ Genise Williams, Boox Kid’s Jarred Wall, Balya Productions’ Letisha Ackland, Deadly Management’s Nancy Bates, and Cultural Producer Mayella Dewis-Koroi.
With its launch, Raising Our Voices responds to a key recommendation from 2022’s Raising Their Voices report, which identified systemic imbalances and cultural harm within the Australian music industry, including sexual harassment and bullying, barriers to growth, and limited reporting pathways for marginalised groups.
The final report containing all the research data is expected to arrive in early 2027.
“Raising Their Voices made it clear that systemic change is needed,” Catherine Satour commented in a statement. “This Review is about listening properly, doing the work in a culturally safe way, and ensuring First Nations music workers are not just consulted, but central to shaping the future of the industry.
“We want practical outcomes — stronger representation, safer workplaces, and clearer leadership pathways — that translate into real change across Australian contemporary music.”
Support Act CEO Clive Miller added, “The Raising Their Voices report was a watershed moment for our industry. This new Review is about taking another important step — turning a key recommendation into action and ensuring First Nations music workers see tangible change.
“A contemporary music industry that values creativity must also value cultural safety, equity and leadership. We’re committed to delivering a rigorous process that results in clear, practical reforms the sector can adopt and measure progress against.”
