MusicNSW has launched Tone Shift to help fund female, trans and non-binary musicians

Musicians will know that making music can be expensive but MusicNSW is hoping to make some of those costs a little easier with Tone Shift. 

MusicNSW has launched Tone Shift, a new microfund for women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists across NSW.

Supported by Sound NSW, the program offers grants of up to $2,500 to help artists purchase essential equipment, book studio space and access support for creating and presenting new music.

 

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So, what can you actually spend it on?

Artists can apply for funding towards home recording equipment, including microphones, audio interfaces, instruments, DAW licences, plugins and training.

Or if you need somewhere to turn those bedroom demos into something a little more polished, funding can also cover professional studio sessions and studio hire for rehearsing, writing, recording and releasing music.

There is also funding available for performance equipment.

Including but not limited to guitars, amps, CDJs, keyboards, synthesisers, drum kits or PA equipment.

Who can apply?

Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, have lived in NSW for at least 12 months, be 18 or older, have an ABN and be practising contemporary music artists.

They must also identify as a woman, trans, non-binary or gender non-conforming person.

The eligibility includes trans people of all genders and anyone who identifies as agender, genderqueer, Sistergirl, Brotherboy, Leiti, Fa’afafine, Fa’afatama, Hijra, Waria and two-spirit, plus more.

For bands and acts, at least 50% of members must live in NSW.

Get those applications in

Applications are open now and close on October 31 2026.

MusicNSW is also holding an online information session on Tuesday 15 September at 6 pm, giving potential applicants a chance to learn more about the program and application process.

Tone Shift was developed in response to recommendations from the Raising Their Voices report in 2022, which examined gender in the music industry.

MusicNSW Ambassador Zoe Catterall from The Buoys described the music industry as traditionally male-dominated.

Adding, “The more we invest in levelling the playing field… the richer and more representative our music scene becomes.”

To learn more and apply for Tone Shift microfunding, head to musicnsw.com

Register to attend the online information session