Support Act Calls on First Nations Music Workers to Help Shape Industry Review

Support Act is calling on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and music workers to help shape a national review examining the experiences of First Nations people across Australia's contemporary music industry.

The organisation has opened the research and engagement phase of its First Nations Music Industry Review, with a series of yarning sessions and industry workshops to be held around the country from August through November.

The first sessions will take place in Brisbane during BIGSOUND on September 2nd and 3rd, before travelling to Lismore on September 4th, Nowra on September 7th, Wagga Wagga on September 8th, Tamworth on September 10th, and Parramatta on September 11th. 

Further sessions are planned for Cairns, Thursday Island, Canberra, Darwin, Alice Springs, Perth, Broome, Melbourne, Shepparton, Adelaide and Hobart.

First Nations musicians, crew, managers, producers, programmers and other industry workers can participate through an in-person or online workshop, complete a survey, or make a written submission.

Led by First Nations social change agency Cox Inall Ridgeway, the review will examine cultural safety, representation, leadership, wellbeing and participation across the Australian music sector.

The review follows recommendation 12 of the 2022 Raising Their Voices report, which documented systemic inequities and workplace harms within the contemporary music industry.

Support Act Head of First Nations Programs, Catherine Satour, said the review was designed to give First Nations people across all parts of the sector an opportunity to contribute.

“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,” she said. 

"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. 

Satour said meaningful structural change would require First Nations people to lead the conversation, with the review using culturally safe and community-first approaches.

Cox Inall Ridgeway Senior Consultant Ash Bartley said the process would focus on listening to First Nations people working throughout the sector. 

“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,” Bartley said.

“We look forward to listening deeply to community voices across the music industry to help shape a safer, more equitable music sector.”

Support Act has also appointed a 14-member First Nations Steering Committee to provide community-led oversight of the review.

The committee brings together artists, music community leaders and industry professionals from regional and metropolitan Australia, including Neil Morris, Fred Gesha, Naomi Pigram, Kaleena Smith, Matty Mills, Genise Williams, Kelly Helmrich, Jarred Wall, Letisha Ackland, Nancy Bates, Leah Flanagan, Nathaniel Andrew, Julia Robinson and Mayella Dewis-Koroi.

Survey responses and submissions are open through the Support Act website and close on Friday, November 13th 2026, with the final report expected in 2027.