MAICC Eligibility & Selection Criteria

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Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply for the current MAICC funding round if:

  • The applicant (an individual) is currently working in the industry in a role that involves export development of music products

  • The applicant owns or is employed by a business that is a current AMA member

  • The applicant is an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident

  • The applicant holds a current valid passport

  • The application form is completed and submitted by the due date

  • You have not received MAICC funding from the AMA in the previous round

Multiple employees

Only one individual per business/company can receive funding to attend the same conference in the same year. For example, if two employees from the same company wish to attend The NAMM Show in 2026, only one will be eligible for funding. However if two employees from the same company wish to attend different conferences – ie. one attending The NAMM Show, one attending Dallas International Guitar Festival – both are eligible to apply. 

Exhibitors

You do not need to be attending your event as an exhibitor to be eligible to apply, although we do ask you to specify on your application form whether or not you are exhibiting at the event. This is one element of the assessment of your plans and strategy. 

Australian Made Products

The purpose of the funding is to support exports of Australian music products. Applicants can describe where and how the product are produced/manufactured in the application.

The meaning of ‘music products’ for the purpose of this funding and the objects of the AMA includes:

  • Musical instruments
  • Professional audio products (microphones, loudspeakers, audio interfaces, mixing desks etc)
  • Print music
  • Music technology products
  • Accessories for musical instruments and pro audio products.

This funding does not cover physical recorded music products (records, CDs etc) or artists.

Events

The list of trade shows provided indicates the type of events, the timing of events within the eligible period for each round, and events that are considered eligible for funding.

Applicants may propose a different event, such as a trade show in a particular market or a consumer event that is important for market development. A strong application will make clear why the event has been chosen and how it supports export development.

Export experience

There is no threshold of previous activity, or limitation on established companies, in this funding round. Applications will be considered on their merits.

Established businesses with a strong track record in exporting music products are eligible to apply. A strong application will demonstrate the need for this funding at this time. The proposal may involve sending an emerging leader in the company to gain more export development experience, and/or developing new markets, and/or attending trade events where the brand is not usually present.

Emerging businesses with no track record exporting music products are eligible to apply. A strong application will demonstrate clear planning, potential, and export readiness.

Ensure you have read the criteria and T&C’s before applying. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please email maicc@australianmusic.asn.au.

If you are not a current AMA member and wish to apply to become a member, please visit here.

Selection Criteria

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

  • Viability

    • The applicant is recognised by the industry, and their peers, as an exporter of music products

    • The proposed activity is viable based on the information provided

  • Planning

    • The applicant has a comprehensive plan of activities they will undertake during their time at the specified event, and before and after the event

    • Optional letters of support from up to 3 industry professionals / peers will indicate planning.
  •  Impact

    • The applicant has clear goals for the proposed activity and has demonstrated the potential for growth in this region

    • The applicant has demonstrated why attendance at the proposed event, and the export development opportunity it presents, is a priority territory at this time

Please note that not all applicants will receive funding, and only a selected number of applicants will be successful in receiving funding per round. Special consideration will be given to those who haven’t received MAICC funding before.

Assessment

MAICC funding from the Australian Music Association will be decided by a panel of industry experts. All panel members must comply with the AMA Code of Conduct and are expected to declare real and perceived conflicts of interest.   

Panel members must be work for the same business as any applicant considered during the funding round. Panel members may have direct experience in export of music products and therefore may be a competitor of an applicant. Panel members may have another involvement in the music products industry and therefore have business interactions (eg. retailer/manufacturer) with an applicant.

The Code of Conduct outlines the standards expected by the AMA, including Conflicts of Interest, responsible and ethical conduct. The Code of Conduct applies to staff and Panel Members involved in the MAICC process, and includes reporting channels for dealing with potential breaches of the Code of Conduct.

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This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia