COVID-19 funding sources and assistance for creatives: federal, state and local
Updated 2 September 2020
We've created a resource hub for available cash support. Things are moving fast in this space and we’ll try and keep this updated with changes and new initiatives. We've drilled down by federal, state and local. Please see if you are eligible for the Support Act Crisis Relief Grants: COVID-19, and get in touch with Support Act for assistance.
Help ease restrictions faster with the COVIDSafe app
The Australian Government's COVIDSafe app aims to help stop the spread of COVID-19. If you are comfortable downloading the app, please consider sharing this message to encourage more Australians to download the app. It might help ease restrictions sooner, and get live music happening again.
Federal Government cash support
The Australian Government recently announced the COVID-19 Creative Economy Support Package addressing the urgent needs within the sector. We will post further news around the package.
As of 27 July, we have updated the below information around JobSeeker and JobKeeper. Music businesses and workers are covered by unemployment (JobSeeker) and wage subsidy (JobKeeper) initiatives.
| JOBSEEKER |
|
| What is it | Unemployment benefit, used to be called Newstart. Paid through Centrelink. |
| Who gets it |
Unemployed/insufficient work, aged 22 and over. Under 21s and full-time students under 24 get ‘Youth Allowance’ or ‘Abstudy’. From August, the Government is bringing back the requirement that anyone receiving the unemployment benefit must be actively looking for work as long as it is safe for them to do so. |
| How much | $565.70 per fortnight (plus $550/fortnight from the top-up coronavirus supplement, see below). No assets test (you can have savings). Partner’s income threshold is $79,762 before your benefit is affected. (Being part of JobSeeker means you’ll be tested for eligibility for other things like rent subsidy). |
| How to get it | It’s automatic if you were already getting Newstart. If you’re newly-unemployed, you have to register with Centrelink. First time with Centrelink? Helpful walk-through from the ABC, here. |
| More info | Visit Service Australia Making it easier to claim a payment |
| CORONAVIRUS SUPPLEMENT | |
| What is it | A top-up benefit of $550 per fortnight, paid by Centrelink and will continue, in some form, into 2021. |
| Who gets it | It will get added if you get Job Seeker benefit, Sickness allowance, Youth allowance, Parenting payment, Partner allowance, Farm household allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY (NOT JobKeeper).
NOTE: From September you can now earn $300 a fortnight before your JobSeeker Payment is affected |
| How much |
$550/fortnight (This means you’ll get $1100/fortnight via JobSeeker+ Coronavirus Supplement) From September, this will be reduced to $250/fortnight (meaning you'll get $800/fortnight) |
| How to get it | If you’re on one of the existing eligible benefits, you’ll get it automatically from Centrelink.
Make sure you register with Centrelink by 13 April Coronavirus Supplement explained [Services Australia] |
| JOBKEEPER | |
| What is it | New wage subsidy paid to you by your workplace, or former workplace if they had let you go after March 1st and agree to rehire you. (The company essentially gets reimbursed through the ATO). It's about trying to keep business and workers connected through this time. |
| Who gets it | An eligible business gets it then must pass it on to you. Eligible business types include company, partnership, trust, charity/not for profit, sole trader (must have ABN) and self-employed (must have ABN). Business has to meet turnover and lost income eligibility, such as being able to show drop in income of 30% for this March compared to March last year. Music-related businesses may be able to argue a special case to the ATO. If you lost your job from a now eligible business, you can be part of JobKeeper if:
If you’re a freelancer without an ABN or a casual without 12 months or more continuous work, unfortunately you don’t meet the JobKeeper requirements. At the moment you’re covered by Job Seeker. |
| How much |
$1500 per fortnight (before tax), paid to your work from the ATO and passed on to you in full - even if you were being paid less pre coronavirus. From the end of September the payment is decreasing to $1,200/fortnight for full-time workers If you are a part-time worker (working fewer than 20 hours a week in February this year), your payment will drop to $750/fortnight in September From January 2021 the payment will drop to $1,000/fortnight for full-time workers and $650/fortnight for part-time workers |
| More reading |
Am I eligible for the jobkeeper payment? Here's everything you need to know to register [The Guardian] COVID-19 Updates for businesses and individuals [White Sky] |
| ECONOMIC STIMULUS PAYMENT | |
| What is it | This was an early announcement from the government, around two separate one-time payments to come from Centrelink |
| Who gets it | Anyone with eligible payment or concession cards, if you were getting a Coronavirus Supplement, you didn't get the second ESP even if you got the first one |
| How much | $750, twice. (1st time after 31 Mar, 2nd time after 13 July) |
| How to get it |
It’s automatic if you’re on one of the eligible benefits |
So, are you a JobSeeker or JobKeeper?
It has to be one or the other.
Here are a couple of good explainers:
Support for households and individuals [Treasury.gov]
Businesses and employers [Treasury.gov]
ATO community forums can be a good resource too
| PANDEMIC LEAVE DISASTER PAYMENT FOR VICTORIA | |
| What is it | A one-off payment for people who'll lose their income if authorities order them to self-quarantine because they have tested positive for coronavirus, are a close contact of a confirmed case or are awaiting test results. |
| Who gets it |
To be eligible you must;
|
| FIRST NATIONS SOUND RECORDING PARTNERSHIP In partnership with ARIA-PPCA-AUSTRALIA COUNCIL This partnership will support five First Nations Australian artists or groups to create new sound recordings. The initiative is designed to provide an opportunity for First Nations artists to create sound recordings, and access advice and managerial support to grow their audience. |
|
| When is it |
Applications open: as of 18 August 2020 Applications close: Tuesday 20 October 2020 Notifications: approximately 7 weeks after the closing date Activities commencing from: for projects starting after 1 January 2021 |
| Who gets it | This opportunity is available for individuals, groups and organisations. Please note these grants are for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and groups, or groups with a minimum of one Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in them. |
| How much | There are five grants of $18,500 (ex GST) each available. This is a once-off initiative offered in 2020. |
The First Nations Contemporary Music ProgramThe purpose of the Grant is to deliver funding under the Indigenous Contemporary Music Program (the Program), to provide development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and bands throughout Australia. |
|
| Stream 1 |
Musicians and Bands: |
| Stream 2 | First Nations Music Industry Partnerships Applications close: 6 October 2020 for activities commencing from 1 December 2020. |
| How much |
Musicians and Bands - up to $15,000 Industry - up to $25,000 of match funding to support the development of the First Nations music sector |
| AUSTRALIA COUNCIL CHERISH II FUND The Cherish II Fund is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption experienced by the First Nations arts and cultural sector and community. The Cherish II Fund has been informed by the First Nations Roundtables and the sector discussions and consultations in which the themes have focused on the sector priorities and needs through the COVID-19 pandemic. |
|
| When is it |
Applications open: 3 August 2020 Applications close: 6 October 2020 Notifications: You will be notified by 30 November 2020. Activities commencing from: 1 December 2020 |
| Who gets it | Cherish II Fund grants are available to First Nations individuals, groups and organisations |
| How much | Amount: $5,000 to $50,000 |
| AUSTRALIA COUNCIL $5M RESILIENCE FUND [CLOSED] Open to individuals, groups and organisations under three categories: Survive, Adapt and Create More info here |
|
| SURVIVE | |
| What is it | A broad, stop-gap grant to offset or recoup money eg due to lost bookings. Open now, no closing dates. Assessed and paid within 4 weeks. No acquittal necessary. NB You can apply for all three types of grant – survive, adapt, thrive – but, if successful, you’ll only get one. |
| Who gets it | Individuals, arts groups, organisations |
| How much | Up to $2000 (individuals, groups), up to $5000 (organisations) |
| ADAPT | |
| What is it | Help to adapt with new ways of working, such as for training, setting up an e-commerce site, or trying new-look collaborations, for example. Open now, no closing date. Assessed and paid within 6 weeks. NB You can apply for all three types of grant – survive, adapt, thrive – but, if successful, you’ll only get one. |
| Who gets it | Individuals, arts groups, organisations (but not OzCo’s Four Year Partner orgs or Partner Orgs). If you’re going after funding for a collaboration, someone has to be the lead applicant |
| How much |
Up to $10,000 (individuals, groups), up to $20,000 (orgs) |
| CREATE | |
| What is it |
This is about new work or support for what was work-in-progress pre-COVID-19. Open now, no closing date. Assessed and paid within 6 weeks. |
| Who gets it | Individuals, arts groups, organisations (NB Not OzCo’s Four Year Partner orgs or Partner Orgs) |
| How much |
Up to $10,000 (individuals, groups), up to $20,000 (orgs) |
| APRA AMCOS LIVE PERFORMANCE REPORTS PAID EARLY & LIVE STREAM ROYALTY CLAIMS | |
| What is it | Payments based on live performance of your works, usually paid in November. Update: These were paid in May. |
| Who gets it | APRA members, for their registered works |
| How much | Payment amount is different for every member. We’re fast-tracking this year’s November payments to May and using your November 2019 payment as a guide. More FAQs at the link below. Email writer@apra.com.au asap if your payout at November 2019 is not a good guide for the fast-tracked May payment What you need to know about Early Performance Reports Payment |
| Claim it | Announced in May: You can now claim royalties for Australian or New Zealand based live performances of your works, streamed on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. Submit setlists. You will be paid in November 2020. |
| PPCA ONE-OFF ADVANCE | |
| What is it | An advance for PPCA registered artists suffering hardship as a result of the decimation of the live music sector. |
| Who gets it | Eligible PPCA registered artists |
| How much | From $250 to $10,000, based on your average earnings under the PPCA Direct Artist Distribution Scheme (the last three years). |
| How to get it |
If you’re a PPCA registered artist, PPCA will invite you to apply, or you can email distribution.mail@ppca.com.au |
Covid-related resources and links for the music community in each State and Territory
| Regional AUS |
Regional Arts Fund Recovery Boost The Recovery Boost is a one-off targeted investment provided by the Australian Government. The funding recognises that the creative industries are central to thriving and healthy communities across regional, rural and remote Australia and that arts and culture activities are vital in the recovery and renewal process. |
| NSW |
The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) NSW Government Create NSW Sydney City Wollongong City [CLOSED] Council has extended its grants deadline e.g. bands and choirs (up to $2000), community events (up to $20,000) to 20 April. MERRIGONGX Reboot [CLOSED] Shoalhaven [CLOSED] Shoalhaven Arts Board grants have a professional development grant of $3000 (to individuals) and ‘A Sense of Place’ creative project grant of $10,000, closing date has been extended to 8 May 2020. [CLOSED] Inner West [CLOSED] Artist and Creative Practitioner Grants for creative development, new work and adaptation projects for creatives (up to $5000). Creative Spaces Grants to support survival and resilience in local creative spaces (up to $20,000). Accepting applications until 17 May. Music NSW Resources |
| VIC |
City of Melbourne Annual arts grants Music Victoria [CLOSED] VMDO Grants listings - check it out Creative Victoria [CLOSED] Applicants can apply at any time up to 5pm, 1 June 2020. Victorian Business Support [CLOSED] Apply here, by 1 June 2020 Arts Centre Melbourne - Victorian composers under 30 commission [CLOSED] Melbourne City [CLOSED] Initial round of emergency grants of up to $4000, for new work, was inundated and has closed. |
| QLD |
Carol Lloyd Award Arts Queensland stART Grants [CLOSED] Special mention: Arts QLD’s Individuals fund gives grants of up to $10,000 and has an extended deadline of 21 April - apply now [CLOSED] |
| WA | WAM's resource hub
WAM Sounds of The Mid West Special mention: there’s a new COVID-19 relief fund being run by Lottery West, for charities and community orgs, including in the arts. Perth City [CLOSED] Council’s usual arts grants - up to $30,000 - are open, til 21 April. |
| SA |
Country Arts SA [CLOSED] Music Development Office [CLOSED] Adelaide City [CLOSED] A range of arts and culture grants up to $20,000. Council has extended application deadlines to 4 May, due to COVID-19. City of Charles Sturt Live and Local - EOIs are open ongoing, until funds are exhausted. Foyer Fridays [CLOSED] - paid performance opportunity. Apply by 14 May. Westside Place Makers have opened a covid-19 grant round aimed at supporting local artists and providing place making, art, music and creativity. Grants up to $2000, open til 18 May. [CLOSED] |
| TAS |
Arts Tasmania funding extended:[CLOSED] Tasmanian Contemporary Music Fund [CLOSED] A new grant to help Tassie musicians replace their lost live gigs with music/music videos for online distribution. Open to Tassie individuals (resident there for 6 months or more) or Tassie organisations. It’s $10,000. Contact the Arts Tasmania grants team on 03 6165 6666 or grants@arts.tas.gov.au Arts and Screen digital production fund [CLOSED] A new grant to support artists and arts organisations whose work has been cancelled, postponed or disrupted by COVID-19 to work with screen partners. Open to Tassie individuals, groups and orgnisations (you can have interstate members but the funds can only go to Tassie residents). It’s $10,000 for individuals, groups and orgs or $50,000 for orgs partnering with other orgs. |
| ACT |
Where You Are Festival - Call for Expressions of Interest [CLOSED] Homefront grant [CLOSED] One off grants of up to $10,000, across all artforms including music, to help support ACT artists maintain their practice over the next 6-9 months. Apply before 17 April. Successful recipients to be announced 1 May. |
| NT |
Music NT's fact sheet for NT individuals explains the support from the federal government Music NT Create and Release Grant |
Other grants
Australian Music Centre: The MOMENTUM Commission II
The MOMENTUM II Commission is now open. The deadline for EOIs is 5pm AEST on Friday 25 September 2020.
Australian Music Centre: The MOMENTUM Commission [CLOSED]
The MOMENTUM Commission offers financial and practical support to a composer to forge forward during these uncertain times with the essential work of creating art. $5,000 commission. Application deadline: 5pm AEST on Friday 21 August.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office Sustainability Fund [CLOSED]
The $100,000 fund is a project assisted by the Australian Government. Songwriter and composer members are encouraged to apply for one of 50 grants. Opens 3 July, apply by 20 July 12pm AEST.
Willgoss Ensemble Composition Prize
This is a new composition prize, on offer from UNSW in 2020-only. The winning applicant will be commissioned to compose a short, new work for either: SATB choir with piano or organ; String ensemble; Brass and percussion ensemble; or Woodwind ensemble, winner will receive a cash prize of $2,500 in addition to the opportunity to have their score performed in 2021. Applications open 1 July and close on 2 August. [CLOSED]
Willgoss Choral Composition Prize: The winner of the Prize, on offer from UNSW, will receive a cash prize of $3000 in addition to the opportunity to have their Score performed by the Burgundian Consort in its annual evening recital in October 2021. Applications open on 1 July 1 and close on 29 January 2021.
National Library Folk Fellowship
The fellowship is offered jointly with the National Folk Festival. Applications close 5pm, Friday 7 August 2020, Australian Eastern Standard Time. [CLOSED]
National Library of Australia's Creative Arts Fellowships [CLOSED]
Creative Arts Fellowship – using the library's collections, artists can progress or complete an artwork/body of work. Artists may be working in any medium other than writing. This may include music, dance, visual arts, emerging or experimental artforms. $10,000 stipend, open to all career stages. Apply by 5pm (AEST) on Friday 10 July 2020. [CLOSED]
Levi’s® Music Relief Fund [CLOSED]
The redesigned Levi’s® Music Relief Fund is assisting 10 artists, distributing between them $45,000 in cash. All Australian and New Zealand residents who have showcased at BIGSOUND during its 18 year history are eligible to apply
Applications for the next round close at 11:59pm (AEST), Sunday 5 July 2020.
Australia Council - The Cherish Fund [CLOSED]
The Cherish Fund is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption experienced by the First Nations arts and cultural sector and community. Apply by 15 June.
APRA AMCOS Sustainability Fund [CLOSED]
$2000 grants for APRA AMCOS members whose creative practice has been significantly affected by COVID-19. Eligibility criteria and application form here.
First round recipients announced, second round of funding allocated to first round unsuccessful applicants. You don't need to take further action if you applied.
ABC Fresh Start Fund [CLOSED]
Includes an Innovation Fund, and Australian Music Fund, which offers practical support to emerging, underrepresented and professional Australian musicians and composers, in conjunction with existing initiatives across ABC national music networks such as triple j and ABC Classic.
Applications for competitive funds will be accepted on a rolling basis from 4 May to 12 June 2020.
triple j Unearthed Level Up grants {CLOSED}
15 different financial grants. To be eligible for a Level Up grant, you must have at least one song uploaded to triple j Unearthed and you’ll also need to fill out the application form which you can access right here. Apply by 7 June.
Australian Music Center - Peggy Glanville-Hicks Commissions [CLOSED]
10 x $1000 bursaries will be available to the Australian music community to create online works that are realised in 2020. EOIs by 8 May.
AMP Tomorrow Fund [CLOSED]
Grants from $5000 to $100,000 from AMP Foundation. For innovators or ‘Tomorrow Makers’ across the Australian community in science, the arts, sport. Emily Wurramurra, CXLOE, Woodes are previous recipients. Apply by 15 April.
Other resources
Support Act
Great info on Job Seeker, JobKeeper, your rights with your utilities provider and your landlord, including state-by-state links re residential tenancy rights as they currently stand. And, of course, emergency financial relief and mental health helpline.
Support Act Crisis Relief Grants: COVID-19
There is no deadline to apply, however, those experiencing hardship are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.
Support Act: COVID-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund [CLOSED]
Netflix has donated $1m and partnered with SUPPORT ACT to deliver the COVID-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund to help the hardest hit workers in the television and film industry due to the production shutdowns caused by COVID-19 across all of Australia. One time grant of $1,000 is available to workers affected, including those in music and sound. Opens 15 June, apply by 22 June.
Arts Wellbeing Collective
COVID-19 resources for creatives
Additional help is a phone call away:
- Support Act Wellbeing Helpline - 1800 959 500
- Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service – 1800 512 348
To our members: a reminder that APRA AMCOS cannot provide financial advice to our members because everyone’s situation is different. However, we are happy to provide general guidance during these times.