Venue Upgrade Grants 2024-25

Grants up to the value of $20,000 may support advice from consultants and experts to create fit-for-purpose venues such as:

• assessment reports to support infrastructure development (e.g. soundproofing, ventilation, accessibility)
• development application and planning expenses
• legal services and licensing consultants
• energy efficiency audits.

Examples of venue types may include, but are not limited to small bars, hotels, clubs (including DJ performance venues) and community halls.

The project should be started by 17 April 2025 and the project must be completed by 30 June 2026.

Ineligible applicants include: 

• any business or organisation located outside NSW 
• venues with member-only access i.e. venues not usually accessible by the general public (e.g. venues primarily hosting private invite-only functions)
• venues with more than 10 gaming machines
• venues operated by Government (Federal, State or Local), or Education providers. Crown leased properties are eligible where operated by an otherwise eligible entity.
• religious institutions
• venues that are vessels (boats on water) or mobile venues of no fixed address
• venues unable to provide a co-contribution at least 30% of the overall project budget.

Applicants must make a cash co-contribution of at least 30% of the overall cost of the advice.

This funding program is open to NSW contemporary live music venue owners and operators who demonstrate a commitment to increasing live music programming.

Applicants must satisfy ONE of the following criteria:

• be an incorporated entity or trust (including a trust with a corporate or individual trustee) and hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN).
• be registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 or the Co-operatives National Law (NSW) set out in the appendix to the Co-operatives (Adoption of National Law) Act 2012.

Applicants must also:

• hold a lease or occupancy agreement with at least 2 years from the application close date remaining of the current term (where the premises aren’t owned by the operator).
• provide a support letter from premises (building) owner for proposed grant where premises not owned by the applicant
• hold a OneMusic licence.

For the purpose of this program, a contemporary live music venue refers to a venue that:

• is licensed or unlicensed
• has a room or space dedicated to live music that is a significant part (eg. more than 50%) of the venue and contains appropriate infrastructure to support regular performances, for example, a separate auditorium, lighting, a sound desk, etc
• has formal arrangements in place establishing payments for artist performances
• has ongoing and regular live music programming
• programs artists and acts performing new and original contemporary music.

Grants up to the value of $20,000 may support advice from consultants and experts to create fit-for-purpose venues such as:

• assessment reports to support infrastructure development (e.g. soundproofing, ventilation, accessibility)
• development application and planning expenses
• legal services and licensing consultants
• energy efficiency audits.

Examples of venue types may include, but are not limited to small bars, hotels, clubs (including DJ performance venues) and community halls.

Ineligible applicants include: 

• any business or organisation located outside NSW 
• venues with member-only access i.e. venues not usually accessible by the general public (e.g. venues primarily hosting private invite-only functions)
• venues with more than 10 gaming machines
• venues operated by Government (Federal, State or Local), or Education providers. Crown leased properties are eligible where operated by an otherwise eligible entity.
• religious institutions
• venues that are vessels (boats on water) or mobile venues of no fixed address
• venues unable to provide a co-contribution at least 30% of the overall project budget.

Applicants must make a cash co-contribution of at least 30% of the overall cost of the advice.