Support Act is calling on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians, crew, managers, and music workers to participate in the research and engagement phase of its national First Nations Music Industry Review.
A series of yarning sessions and industry workshops are being held across Australia from August to November, commencing in Brisbane as part of the BIGSOUND music conference on 2-3 September, followed by Lismore on 4 September, Nowra on 7 September, Wagga Wagga on 8 September, Tamworth on 10 September, and Parramatta on 11 September. Further sessions will then take place in Cairns, Thursday Island, Canberra, Darwin, Alice Springs, Perth, Broome, Melbourne, Shepparton, Adelaide, and Hobart.
Delivered by leading First Nations social change agency, Cox Inall Ridgeway, the review examines cultural safety, representation, leadership, wellbeing, and participation in the contemporary Australian music industry. The Review is a direct response to recommendation 12 from the 2022 Raising Their Voices report, which identified systemic inequities and workplace harms in the contemporary music industry.
First Nations music industry workers are invited to share their ideas and experiences by registering for an in-person or online workshop, completing a survey, or making an online submission. Survey responses and submissions close on Friday 13 November 2026, and the final report is expected in early 2027.
Support Act’s Head of First Nations Programs, Catherine Satour, said: “It’s important that every First Nations artist, manager, producer, programmer, crew member, and worker in labels, publishing, festivals, venues and media has a safe space to share their voice. This isn’t just about collecting data; it’s about mapping a self-determined future for our industry. Whether your experiences have been positive, challenging, or somewhere in between, we want to hear from you.
“True structural change in the music industry can only happen when First Nations people are holding the microphone and leading the conversation, which is why we’re making sure the review is First Nations-led and grounded in culturally safe and community-first methodologies.”
Cox Inall Ridgeway’s Senior Consultant, Ash Bartley, said: “The contemporary music industry holds incredible space for First Nations storytelling, but it must be an environment where our people feel safe, celebrated, and structurally supported. We look forward to listening deeply to community voices across the music industry to help shape a safer, more equitable music sector.”
To ensure robust community-led oversight, Support Act has appointed a 14-member First Nations Steering Committee of music community leaders, artists and industry executives and professionals from regional and metropolitan Australia. The members are Neil Morris, Fred Gesha, Naomi Pigram, Kaleena Smith, Matty Mills, Genise Williams, Kelly Hellmrich, Jared Wall, Letisha Ackland, Nancy Bates, Leah Flanagan, Nathaniel Andrew, Julia Robinson and Mayella Dewis-Koroi.
The First Nations Music Industry Review is funded with support from the NSW Government through Sound NSW, the Australian Government via Creative Workplaces and Music Australia, the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, the Tony Foundation and the original co-investors of the Raising Their Voices Report.
Learn more about the First Nations Music Industry Review.
