CREWCARE - Support Act

CrewCare is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the welfare of all production workers in the Australian live music sector. CrewCare’s mission is to to effect change for the better in crew welfare – personally, financially and professionally.

CrewCare is a company limited by guarantee, governed by a board of 11 voluntary directors – all industry veterans – whose remit is to represent the wishes of its member stakeholders. CrewCare proudly partners with Support Act.

CrewCare’s core values are support, advocacy, fundraising and education. It strives to achieve these in the following ways:

Support

CrewCare supports crew by employing social networks and holding get-togethers. Members are kept informed through newsletters and regular mail-outs. CrewCare assists crew with their applications for Support Act Crisis Relief Grants and, if required, arranges for counselling for them through Support Act’s Wellbeing Helpline. Recently, the CrewCare team has been speaking with promoters to have Crew Welfare Officers in attendance a major festivals. Above all, CrewCare is there to listen!

Advocacy

CrewCare aims to bring public awareness to the diverse range of highly technical and creative skills required of live production specialists, and acknowledge the vital role crew provide to the live music industry. CrewCare sits on the OpenMIC Music Industry Alliance with 16 other peak music industry bodies.

Fundraising

CrewCare directs all donations and fundraised monies through the Support Act Crew Fund, ensuring that crew have access to vital crisis relief and ongoing mental health services. CrewCare organised the national Roady4Roadies events, which raised over $135,000 for the fund. They are a major participant in Ausmusic T-shirt Day, having raised $63,000+ to date. CrewCare has also directly contributed $22,269 of its own funds. Other fundraising ventures include sales of merchandise, auctions, raffles, golf days and numerous other programs. In total, CrewCare has contributed in excess of $320,000 to the Support Act Crew Fund.

Education

In 2020 CrewCare introduced Mental Health First Aid to the music industry. Fully funded by Support Act, the MHFA program has now provided for 350+ crew to be officially accredited as Mental Health First Aiders.

In 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, CrewCare developed and successfully secured a grant from Creative Victoria to run their Australian Music Business Industry Training program. AMBIT allowed 385 crew to up-skill and side-skill in multiple disciplines.

CrewCare has received a further two grants from CreativeVIC to run its hugely successful Pathway To Jobs In Live Music – The Weasel Eicke Scholarship (WES) which has seen 40+ students and early industry entrants provided training and work placements in some of Australia’s major production providers. 85 per cent of students have since secured careers in their chosen industry sector.

CrewCare Membership costs just $10 and is provided free to students and first year entrants to the live music industry.