← Sydney Gig Guide
AaAccessibility
Text size
Help for blind and low vision musicians, and for reading
EN
Englishالعربية简体中文繁體中文Tiếng ViệtΕλληνικάItaliano한국어हिन्दीनेपालीਪੰਜਾਬੀاردوفارسیবাংলাதமிழ்FilipinoBahasa Indonesiaไทย日本語EspañolPortuguêsTürkçeМакедонскиРусскийУкраїнська
Help

Culturally Diverse Artists

Grants, places to perform, radio in other languages and networks for culturally diverse, migrant, refugee and non-English speaking musicians in Sydney and NSW.

Help in your languageA person can interpret for you by phone. Call TIS National on 131 450, say your language, and name the place you want to call. Most calls are free for you. More free interpreters, translators and English classes are listed below. The EN menu at the top also translates this page by computer.

Open Now and Coming Up

Interpreters, Translation and English 10

TIS NationalFree
Australian Government
  • You getA phone interpreter in your language. Most calls are free for you, because the place you are calling pays. It is free when you call a doctor, a pharmacy, a real estate agent, your local council, a union or your member of parliament.
  • WhoAnyone who needs help speaking English on the phone.
  • HowCall 131 450. Say your language. Give the name and phone number of the place you want to call. An interpreter joins the call.
  • WhenDay and night, every day. Between 9am and 5pm on weekdays it can reach most organisations.
  • Linktisnational.gov.au
Free Translating ServiceFree
Australian Government
  • You getFree English translations of up to 10 personal documents, such as a birth certificate, driver licence, qualifications or work records.
  • WhoPeople 18 and over living in Australia on an eligible permanent, humanitarian, family or skilled visa granted in the last 2 years. Australian citizens, tourists and working holiday visa holders can't use it.
  • HowApply online and upload colour photos of the original documents. You need an Australian phone number, an email address and your passport or ImmiCard number.
  • WhenApply at any time within 2 years of your visa being granted.
  • Linktisnational.gov.au
Multicultural NSW translationsFree for some
NSW Government
  • You getTranslation of personal documents. It is free for permanent residents who get Centrelink payments. Other people pay a fee.
  • WhoAnyone in NSW.
  • HowPhone (02) 8255 6767, or hand in your documents at a Service NSW centre.
  • WhenStandard translations take about 7 business days.
  • Linkmulticultural.nsw.gov.au
Health Care Interpreter ServiceFree
NSW Health
  • You getFree interpreters at public hospitals and health services, in more than 120 languages including Auslan.
  • WhoPatients, their families and carers.
  • HowAsk the hospital or health service staff for an interpreter. To phone a health service yourself, call TIS on 131 450.
  • WhenDay and night, in person or by phone.
  • Linkhealth.nsw.gov.au
Creative Australia language helpGrants
Creative Australia
  • You getYou can talk with staff through an interpreter. Staff can translate parts of a grant application, and can give you an application form in your language.
  • WhoArtists applying for Creative Australia grants.
  • HowCall TIS on 131 450 and ask for Creative Australia, or call 1800 226 912.
  • WhenAsk at least 6 weeks before a grant closes for translation, and 12 weeks before for a form in your language.
  • Linkcreative.gov.au
Stepwise Community ServicesFree
Formerly Metro Assist, Campsie
  • You getSettlement help, money counselling and advice for renters. Most services are free, and you can speak with staff in your own language at no cost.
  • WhoPeople in Sydney, with a focus on migrants and refugees.
  • HowCall 1300 103 201, or walk in at Level 2, 59 Evaline St, Campsie.
  • WhenWeekdays 9am to 5pm.
  • Linkstepwise.org.au
Community Migrant Resource CentreFree
Parramatta, Bella Vista and Ryde
  • You getA caseworker who helps with housing, health, work, study, the law and English.
  • WhoHumanitarian and permanent visa holders who arrived in the last 5 years, aged 15 and over, living in Cumberland, Parramatta, the Hills, Ryde or Hornsby.
  • HowCall (02) 9687 9901, or visit Level 4, 1 Horwood Place, Parramatta.
  • WhenWeekdays 9am to 5pm.
  • Linkcmrc.com.au
Adult Migrant English ProgramFree
Australian Government
  • You getFree English classes.
  • WhoMigrants and humanitarian entrants 18 and over on an eligible visa who speak little or no English.
  • HowCall 131 881 to find a class near you.
  • WhenIf your visa was granted after 1 October 2020, register within 6 months of arriving.
  • Linkimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Asylum Seekers CentreRefugee
Newtown
  • You getA caseworker, a doctor, help finding work, and food for people seeking asylum.
  • WhoPeople seeking asylum who live in Greater Sydney.
  • HowCall (02) 9078 1900, or visit 43 Bedford St, Newtown.
  • WhenNew clients can call weekdays 10am to 4pm.
  • Linkasylumseekerscentre.org.au
National Relay ServiceRelay
Australian Government
  • You getPhone calls through a relay officer, for people who are d/Deaf or find it hard to hear or speak. Video Relay uses Auslan.
  • WhoAnyone who is d/Deaf, hard of hearing or has a speech disability.
  • HowVoice Relay 1300 555 727, TTY 133 677, SMS Relay 0423 677 767.
  • WhenDay and night, every day. Video Relay has shorter hours.
  • Linkinfrastructure.gov.au

Grants 5

Creative Western Sydney Micro-GrantsCloses 2 Nov
Create NSW
  • You get$3,000 to $5,000 for individuals and collectives, and $5,000 to $10,000 for small organisations.
  • WhoArtists 18 and over, and collectives, based in one of 13 Western Sydney council areas. Culturally and linguistically diverse communities are a stated priority.
  • HowApply on the Create NSW SmartyGrants portal. For help, email [email protected].
  • WhenCloses 2 November 2026 at 2pm.
  • Linknsw.gov.au
Generations Western Sydney Music FellowshipOpens 19 Oct
Sound NSW, with the Powerhouse and Blacktown Arts
  • You get$25,000, six months of mentoring and a studio residency at Blacktown Arts.
  • WhoUnsigned early-career contemporary musicians 18 and over who live in or have strong ties to Western Sydney, with an ABN. Culturally diverse applicants are encouraged.
  • HowApply on SmartyGrants once the round opens.
  • WhenOpens 19 October and closes 16 November 2026 at 2pm.
  • Linknsw.gov.au
Arts Projects for Individuals and GroupsNext round closes 2 Mar 2027
Creative Australia
  • You get$10,000 to $50,000 for a project, including recording, touring and mentoring.
  • WhoAustralian citizens and permanent residents.
  • HowCreative Australia accepts applications in languages other than English, including Auslan. Ask for translation at least six weeks before the closing date, or twelve weeks for a translated form. Staff can talk with you through an interpreter on 131 450.
  • WhenThe next round closes on 2 March 2027 at 3pm.
  • Linkcreative.gov.au
Cultural Access Priority Area Projects2026 round closed
Create NSW
  • You get$10,000 to $75,000 for individuals.
  • WhoNSW artists, including people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
  • HowThe guidelines can be read by screen readers and translated, and you can answer in video or audio.
  • WhenThe 2026 round closed on 25 May. Watch for the next one.
  • Linknsw.gov.au
Stronger Together GrantsOrganisations only
Multicultural NSW
  • You get$5,000 to $20,000 for festivals and events, and $20,000 to $50,000 for projects.
  • WhoIncorporated not-for-profit organisations, such as a community association. Individual artists can't apply.
  • HowThe Multicultural NSW site has a language selector, and you can call 02 8255 6767.
  • WhenThe 2026 to 2027 rounds have closed.
  • Linkmulticultural.nsw.gov.au

Places to Perform 4

Sydney Lunar Festival community performancesCloses 2 Nov
City of Sydney
  • You getA stage slot with lighting, sound and stage management, on 6, 13 or 20 February 2027.
  • WhoGroups from cultures that celebrate Lunar New Year.
  • HowFill in the online form with a video of up to five minutes in full costume. One dress rehearsal is compulsory.
  • WhenCloses at 10am on Monday 2 November 2026.
  • Linkcityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Hurstville Lunar New Year performersOpen now
Georges River Council
  • You getA spot at the free street festival on Forest Road, Hurstville, on Saturday 13 February 2027.
  • WhoMusicians, dancers and cultural groups.
  • HowFill in the council's performer form. Questions to 02 9330 6400.
  • WhenOpen now. Last year's call closed in early November.
  • Linkgeorgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Cabramatta Lunar New YearAsk now
Fairfield City Council
  • You getA performance at the festival on Saturday 20 February 2027.
  • WhoPerformers and cultural groups.
  • HowEmail [email protected] to ask about performing. Fairfield Council offers interpreters on request.
  • WhenNo performer call is posted yet.
  • Linknsw.gov.au
WOMADelaide2028 opens May 2027
WOMADelaide, Adelaide
  • You getA slot at Australia's biggest festival of music from around the world.
  • WhoArtists from Australia and overseas.
  • HowArtist application on the festival site.
  • WhenApplications for 2028 open in May 2027.
  • Linkwomadelaide.com.au

Radio in Other Languages 5

Radio Skid Row 88.9Any time
Marrickville
  • You getCommunity language shows including Afrika Connexions, Frecuencia Latina (Spanish), Himalayan Radio (Nepali), Nu'u Samoa, Tongan News, Domo-I-Viti (Fijian) and ODO NTI (Ghanaian).
  • WhoThe station puts local artists first.
  • HowSend music to [email protected], or drop it at Hut 23, 142 Addison Rd. Contact the show that fits your music directly.
  • WhenAny time.
  • Linkradioskidrow.org
2TripleO 98.5Any time
Burwood, formerly 2000FM
  • You getPrograms in about thirty of the most spoken languages in NSW, made by more than fifty community groups.
  • WhoLocal artists and community groups.
  • HowUse the contact form and choose Music, or call 02 9715 5422.
  • WhenAny time.
  • Linkradio2tripleo.com.au
Connect FM 100.9Any time
Bankstown and Auburn
  • You getMore than twenty programs in six languages or more, including Macedonian, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and Samoan.
  • WhoLocal artists.
  • HowEmail [email protected] or call 02 9793 1009.
  • WhenAny time.
  • Linkconnectfm.au
SBS South AsianAny time
SBS, formerly PopDesi
  • You getNational radio in ten South Asian languages.
  • WhoArtists making South Asian music.
  • HowUse the Submit your music button on the station page.
  • WhenAny time.
  • Linksbs.com.au
SBS ChillAny time
SBS
  • You getNational radio for downtempo and chill music from around the world.
  • WhoAny artist.
  • HowFollow the submission page on the SBS site.
  • WhenAny time.
  • Linksbs.com.au

Networks and Programs 6

Diversity Arts AustraliaAsk to join
Parramatta
  • You getThe Creative Cultural Diversity Network, a peer network for creative workers who are culturally diverse, racially marginalised, Black, migrants or refugees. The newsletter lists opportunities.
  • WhoCreative workers from culturally diverse backgrounds.
  • HowEmail [email protected] to join. Its programs offer translation and language support on request.
  • WhenAny time.
  • Linkdiversityarts.org.au
Arts and Cultural ExchangeAny time
Parramatta, formerly ICE
  • You getCommunity arts programs including a Multicultural Women's Hub, youth programs and the African Library and Cultural Centre.
  • WhoWestern Sydney artists and communities.
  • HowCall 02 9897 5744.
  • WhenAny time.
  • Linkaceinc.org.au
STARTTS Community Cultural DevelopmentAny time
STARTTS
  • You getSupport for refugee community arts groups, including performance groups.
  • WhoPeople from refugee backgrounds.
  • HowContact STARTTS through its site.
  • WhenAny time.
  • Linkstartts.org.au
SSI Arts and CultureNo formal application
Settlement Services International
  • You getArtistic development and performances, including a refugee band that played the Spirit of Welcome festival in 2026.
  • WhoArtists from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
  • HowEmail [email protected].
  • WhenAny time.
  • Linkssi.org.au
Music in ExileOn hold
Melbourne label
  • You getA label and 23-week accelerator for culturally diverse artists with lived experience of migration or displacement. It has run nights at The Vanguard in Newtown.
  • WhoCulturally diverse artists with lived experience of migration or displacement.
  • HowFollow the label for the next accelerator round.
  • WhenThe accelerator is waiting on funding for its next round.
  • Linkmusicinexile.com.au
Festival CommonsClosed 30 Aug
Sydney Festival
  • You get$2,400 plus super and a ten-day lab inside the January festival.
  • WhoIndigenous, Black and people of colour curators and producers, with Western Sydney a priority.
  • HowExpression of interest to Sydney Festival.
  • WhenThe 2027 call closed on 30 August 2026.
  • Linksydneyfestival.org.au

More programs for First Nations musicians, musicians with disability and LGBTQIA+ musicians are on the Programs by Community page, and for women and gender-diverse musicians on the Women and Gender-Diverse Musicians page.

↑