Listen Up Music Announces $10K Prize In Jobseeker Support Song Program

Unemployed and underemployed musicians can now submit their own original music to campaign for better representation and support from the government Jobseeker fund.

Provided through mental health music charity Listen Up, The JobSeeker Anthem Song Contest encourages artists and songwriters to pen their own calls to action concerning income-subsidiser programs like Jobkeeper and Jobseeker, which are currently forcing users to frequently lie below the poverty line. As previously reported by The Music, the current support for artists throughout the country is falling behind in the rest of the world, and has been touted as "basically criminal” by members of the industry.

The contest winner will have their song recorded as well as receiving $10,000 prize money thanks to The Wyatt Trust. CEO for The Wyatt Trust and co-creator of the prize Stacey Thomas says that the need for better support to those on these support payments is vital. 

"There was widespread support for a raise in income support rates but the resulting $4 per day earlier this year did little to change things for people living in poverty," Thomas states. "We need to continue to give voice to those on JobSeeker and having an anthem that speaks to the dilemmas they face is a new way of doing this."

Listen Up CEO Ali Taylor added of the contest, "Music is a universal language. We know that people experiencing different forms of adversity find not only solace, but voice and community through song. This competition expands our reach from those passionate about positive mental health to a larger group whose financial hardship has far-reaching health and wellbeing impacts."

To read the terms and conditions of the JobSeeker Anthem Song Contest and to apply, head to their website here. Entries close 11.59pm, Sunday 5 September 2021.