'Critical Support': Vic Govt Backs Music Workers With More Funding

The Allan Labor Government has delivered on its promise at last year’s Victorian state election, giving the music charity Support Act a much-needed boost of government funding.

The Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks, Support Act’s Ausmusic T-shirt Day Crew Ambassador Juvi Yellow Beanie and Melbourne musician Queenie teamed up for today’s announcement, in which the Victorian state Labor government revealed that it’s pledged $2 million funding over four years for the national music and mental health charity.

With the new funding, more local workers in the live music sector can access Support Act’s mental health, wellbeing and crisis relief services, which are in need: new research from Support Act shows that 66% of people working in the Australian music and live performing arts industries report “high or very high levels of psychological distress” – that’s more than four times the general population.

According to a press release, the Allan Labor Government is also lending its support to Support Act initiatives such as Yarning Strong – mental health webinars for First Nations people working in the industry, and Access All Areas – an education program for helping music workers intervene if they witness sexual harassment, assault or bullying.

In a press release, Support Act CEO Clive Miller said, “Support Act’s mission is to help provide a safe and thriving music industry for all. The Victorian Government’s funding support over four years will help to ensure that we can work in partnership with the Government and local state-based organisations to continue to provide critical support services to music workers who are doing it tough.”

Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks added, “Victoria is Australia’s music capital, and we’re proud to support our music industry workers who give so much to our state. We’re ensuring that our music industry can access tailored support and training they need to support themselves and each other on and off the stage.”

Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt concluded, “We know that the nature of the music industry brings unique mental health and wellbeing challenges for music industry workers – that’s why we’re backing Support Act to provide tailored mental health support and programs to help make the industry a safer and healthier workplace.”

The Allan Labor Government’s boost for Support Act arrives just days ahead of this year’s Ausmusic T-Shirt Day, the charity’s annual fundraising campaign for Australian artists. Last year’s campaign raised a record-breaking amount of over $600,000.

This year’s campaign takes place on Thursday, 30 November. To support Ausmusic T-Shirt Day in 2023, you can purchase one of the official shirts being sold here, make a general donation here, or fundraise in a team (which you can learn to do here). 

Last month, Amy Shark, Budjerah and Jimmy Barnes were announced as this year’s Ausmusic T-Shirt Day ambassadors.