Venue Upgrade Grants: Infrastructure and Equipment

Purpose and Program Overview

The Venue Upgrade Grants 25/26 – Infrastructure and Equipment program supports dedicated live music venues in New South Wales to undertake infrastructure works and purchase equipment that improves the quality, safety and sustainability of live music spaces. Grants of up to $150,000 (ex GST) help venues become more fit-for-purpose, enhance audience experience and address key operational issues such as sound management, accessibility and energy efficiency.

The program aims to build the capability of live music venues to deliver world-class audience and visitor experiences, increase the number of suitable live music venues across NSW, and strengthen sector expertise in best practice sound management and sustainable programming. It also seeks to reduce sound impacts on neighbours, support business viability by reducing complaints, and increase the diversity of live music offerings in local communities. The program is funded and administered by Sound NSW within the NSW Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: Up to $150,000 (ex GST) per venue for infrastructure and equipment.
• Application status: Applications are open through the Sound NSW SmartyGrants portal (specific opening and closing dates are not stated on the public overview page and should be confirmed on the application portal).
• Eligible applicants: NSW contemporary live music venue owners and operators demonstrating a commitment to increasing live music programming.
• Required co-contribution: Minimum 30% of the overall project budget (cash and/or in-kind contributions, including donated goods, services or volunteer work).
• Location: New South Wales venues only.

Priority Sectors

The program specifically targets contemporary live music venues that regularly host live music performances as a core part of their business model. Within this focus, it is open to a broad range of live music genres and venue types, rather than being limited to a specific music style or creative sub-sector.

Funding Scope

Available funding is up to $150,000 (ex GST) per venue to support infrastructure development works and the purchase of production equipment. There are no separate formal streams within this grant; instead, eligible works and equipment are grouped under infrastructure and equipment categories.

Infrastructure works may include soundproofing, ventilation, accessibility improvements and energy efficiency upgrades. Equipment purchases can consist of sound, lighting and staging equipment used for live music production. Project timelines and delivery milestones are set out in the project plan submitted with the application; applicants must demonstrate a viable schedule and capacity to deliver the proposed works, but a specific maximum project duration is not stated on the overview page and should be confirmed in the full guidelines.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant must be the owner or operator of a contemporary live music venue in NSW.
• The venue must have been operating for at least 12 months at the time of application (venues operating for less than 12 months are ineligible).​
• The venue must hold a OneMusic licence for live music performances.​
• The venue must be able to provide relevant venue assessment reports where infrastructure funding is sought.
• Applicant must demonstrate a commitment to increasing live music programming and best to practice sound management, accessibility and sustainable operations.
• Applicants with outstanding project, reporting or acquittal obligations from previous Sound NSW funding are ineligible until such requirements are met.​
• Standard business registration, ABN, and compliance requirements apply in line with NSW Government funding (to be confirmed in the full guidelines and application form).​

Eligible Activities and Expenses

• Infrastructure works such as soundproofing to manage sound spill and neighbour impacts.​
• Ventilation works to improve air quality and comfort for performers and audiences.​
• Accessibility improvements, including access, circulation and facilities that support inclusive live music experiences.​
• Energy efficiency improvements that reduce operating costs and environmental impact.​
• Purchase of production equipment, including sound, lighting and staging for live music performances.​

Assessment Process

The grant is competitive, with applications assessed against weighted criteria rather than provided on an entitlement basis. Applicants must submit a detailed project plan, venue assessment reports (for infrastructure), budget and supporting documentation for review.

Key evaluation criteria include:

• Project merit and alignment with program objectives, including how the works will improve live music capability, accessibility, sustainability and audience experience.
• Strategic alignment with sector outcomes such as increased fit-for-purpose venues, improved sound management and enhanced diversity of live music offerings.
• Viability and value for money, including the applicant’s financial contribution (minimum 30% co‑contribution), realistic budget, quotes, contingency, and demonstrated capacity to deliver the upgrades.

Recent Program Updates

The Venue Upgrade Grants 25/26 – Infrastructure and Equipment round forms part of the broader Venue Upgrade Grants suite, which also includes Advice & Planning 25/26 and an Advanced Screen & Lighting Technology component. For 2025/26, the Infrastructure and Equipment program continues the focus on sound management, accessibility and energy efficiency, reinforcing the NSW Government’s ongoing investment in contemporary live music venues.

Applicants should monitor the Sound NSW and NSW Government grants webpages and the SmartyGrants portal for any updates to opening and closing dates, documentation requirements or assessment processes during the 2025/26 program period.

Application Tips

• Review the full program guidelines and eligibility criteria carefully before preparing an application, ensuring that the venue meets all operational, licensing and compliance requirements.
• Prepare key documents early, including venue assessment reports, detailed project scope, budget, quotes for works and equipment, and proof of the required 30% co‑contribution (cash and/or in-kind).
• Clearly demonstrate how the proposed works will make the venue fit-for-purpose for live music, including improvements to sound management, accessibility, sustainability and audience experience.
• Align the proposal with the program objectives by highlighting how the upgrades will increase live music programming, reduce neighbour complaints, broaden live music diversity and strengthen business viability.
• Use the budget and project plan to show that the project is deliverable, includes appropriate contingency and offers strong value for money relative to the requested funding.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today, and a senior grants specialist with a strong track record in government funding programs can help refine your project scope, budget and supporting evidence. For official guidelines, application forms, templates and up-to-date information, applicants should refer to the program’s official webpage, the Sound NSW portal and other relevant NSW Government websites.