MusicNSW has announced Tone Shift - a microfund of up to $2,500 for women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists to purchase essential equipment, book studio time and access support for the creation and presentation of new work.

Tone Shift is a program supported by Sound NSW and is designed to meet artists where they genuinely are, by providing gear and access to recording spaces. The microfund is intended to lower the barrier to entry and equip the next generation of women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists with the gear they need to both create and to build sustainable careers in music.

Tone Shift aims to:

• Make it easier and more accessible for women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people to create music;
• Help increase the representation of women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people in the NSW music ecosystem;
• Support women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists to lay the foundations required to build sustainable careers in music.
  

A response to the Raising Their Voices (2022) report, Tone Shift was born out of the recommendations (13 & 14) made about the importance of targets and actions aimed at increasing equitable gender representation, as well as about linking public funding outcomes to inclusion and representation in terms of gender and other diversity metrics.

Zoe Catterall (The Buoys & MusicNSW Ambassador) - “Women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists face additional barriers to visibility and recognition in what remains a traditionally male-dominated industry. Financial barriers to accessing gear to write, record, and perform sit on top of that. The more we invest in levelling the playing field… the richer and more representative our music scene becomes.”

Jannah Beth (Offbeat Collective & MusicNSW Armbassador) - “[It is important] to support a diverse, adventurous and culturally relevant scene where women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people can see what is possible, and go on to employ, mentor and collaborate with others.”

Joe Muller (MusicNSW Managing Director) - “Tone Shift reflects our firm commitment to doing what we can to ensure that everyone has access to what they need to create music - including gear. This initiative is just one way in which we hope to help facilitate this access for women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists - who have historically faced and continue to face outsized barriers to building sustainable careers in music. We thank Sound NSW for providing the funds to make Tone Shift possible.”

What can you apply for?

• Home recording: This includes - but is not limited to - software and hardware, such as microphones, audio interfaces, instruments, DAW license (with training) and plugins.
• Studio space: This includes - but is not limited to - booking professional recording sessions and studio hire required to rehearse, write, record and release your music.
• Performance: This includes - but is not limited to - equipment such as guitars, amps, CDJs, keyboards/synthesizers, drum kits and PA’s.‍

‍Who can apply?

This opportunity is for artists who meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Have been based in NSW for a minimum of 12 months - if applying for an act/band, at least 50% of the band must reside in NSW.
• Identify as a woman, trans, non-binary of gender non-conforming.*
• Are a practicing contemporary music artist.
• Are 18 years or older.
• Have an ABN.

* For the purposes of this application, this includes trans people of all genders, including trans women, trans men, non-binary people, and people who may use terms such as agender, genderqueer, Sistergirl, Brotherboy, Leiti, Fa'afafine, Fa'afatama, Hijra, Waria, two-spirit and more to describe themselves.

How will applications be assessed?

A group of industry experts will assess applications based on how well they can answer the following questions:

• What stage are you currently at in your music career?
• Why is this microfund right for you at this current stage?
• How will you measure or demonstrate the impact of this microfund on your music practice?
  

Key dates

• Applications open: Thursday, 10 September 2026
• Online information session: Tuesday, 15 September 2026 (register here)
• Applications close: Saturday, 31 October, 11:59pm (AEST)
• Applicants notified of outcome: January 2027

APPLY FOR TONE SHIFT HERE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

I play in multiple bands or projects. Can I apply more than once?
No, we can only accept 1 application per person/artist/band.
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I want to use the microfund to make purchases across more than one of the categories. What category should I select?
Select the category that most closely aligns with your needs (the one that the majority of the funds will be used for).

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I haven’t released any music. Can I still apply?
Yes, as long as you can demonstrate that the microfund will positively impact your music practice!

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I haven't recorded any music. Can I still apply?
As above.
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What is contemporary music?
We use the term contemporary music to refer to any new and original music written, produced, performed or recorded by an artist, regardless of genre or commercial intention.

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Who is a practising contemporary artist?
A practising contemporary artist is a person who creates contemporary music. It’s not necessary to regularly earn income from your practice to meet this definition.

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What constitutes a professional recording studio?
For the purposes of this application, a professional recording studio is a private/commercial business entity that is equipped for recording, production, mixing and mastering. We also recognise that recording studios come in all shapes, sizes, capabilities and locations, and that the line between professional and home studios can often be blurry.

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I don’t have an ABN. Can I still apply?
You will need to supply an ABN in your application, but if you don’t currently have one, here’s a guide on how to obtain an ABN.  

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I’m a cis-man. Why can’t I apply?
Tone Shift is a program specifically for artists who are women, trans, non-binary or gender non-conforming, groups that have historically faced - and continue to face - significant systematic barriers to building sustainable music careers.

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How will applications be assessed?
Applications will be assessed by a group of industry experts, using the selection criteria listed in the Application Information form.
Can I seek partial-payment if the gear I need to purchase costs more than $2500?
Absolutely! As long as you’re able to contribute the remaining amount to the purchase.

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What counts as Western Sydney?
Western Sydney encompasses thirteen local government areas: Blacktown City, Blue Mountains City, Camden Council, Campbelltown City, The City of Canterbury Bankstown, Cumberland Council, Fairfield City, Hawkesbury City, Liverpool City, The City of Parramatta, Penrith City, The Hills Shire, Wollondilly Shire.

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What counts as Regional NSW?
Any location outside the Greater Sydney metropolitan region. Greater Sydney includes the Northern Beaches and Hornsby Shire to the north, Hawkesbury City to the north-west, the City of the Blue Mountains to the west, Wollondilly Shire to the south-west and Sutherland Shire to the South.

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I have another question.‍
If you have further questions, or want some additional guidance on Tone Shift, you can make an appointment to have a chat with someone in the MusicNSW team here.