Tone Shift
A microfund for women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists to purchase essential equipment.
What It Is
Tone Shift is 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.
It 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.
Who It's For
This opportunity is for artists who meet all of the following criteria:
- Identify as a woman, trans, non-binary or gender non-conforming*
- Are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Have been based in NSW for a minimum of 12 months
- Are a practising 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.
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.
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?
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.
Book in a 1-on-1 with our coordinators to discuss your application here.
Key Dates
Applications open: Thursday 10 September 2026
Online info session: Tuesday 15 September 2026, 6pm (AEST)
Applications close: Saturday 31 October 2026, 11:59pm (AEST)
Applicants notified of outcome: January 2027
APPLY FOR TONE SHIFT HERE
FAQs
No, we can only accept 1 application per person/artist/band.
Select the category that most closely aligns with your needs (the one that the majority of the funds will be used for).
Yes, as long as you can demonstrate that the microfund will positively impact your music practice!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Absolutely! As long as you’re able to contribute the remaining amount to the purchase.
Regional NSW is 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.
Western Sydney is 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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