RRMS SA Travel Bursaries 2026

The Regional and Remote Music Summit is coming to Berrin/Mount Gambier from 28–30 October 2026 and we want it to reflect the full breadth of South Australia’s music community, wherever you’re based.

Travel, accommodation and time away from home can make attending a multi-day industry event out of reach, especially if you’re working project-to-project. The RRMS Travel Bursary Program is here to close that gap, with subsidies calibrated to how far you’re travelling.

South Australia is split into three bursary zones based on distance from Mount Gambier:

Zone 1 — Near Regional (Millicent, Penola, Kingston SE, Naracoorte) —$1,000
Zone 2 — Mid Regional (Riverland and mid-north: Port Wakefield, Blanchetown, Waikerie, Renmark) —$1,500. Adelaide metro applicants may be eligible here with documented regional engagement.
Zone 3 — Remote and Far Regional (Far north and west: Woomera, Roxby Downs, Coober Pedy, Ceduna, APY Lands) —$2,500

Please view the RRMS SA Travel Bursary Zone Map here.

At least 25% of the total bursary budget is reserved for First Nations applicants, and we’re prioritising diversity of practitioners and regions across the program.

To be eligible, you need to be a South Australian-based music artist, manager, booker, venue or festival operator, music educator, or other music industry worker (outside metro Adelaide, or metro with demonstrated regional engagement), and intending to attend the full Summit program. See Terms and Conditions for further eligibility requirements.

EOIs open now and close when all funds have been allocated.

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Bursary

What is the RRMS SA Travel Bursary?
It’s a MusicSA initiative that helps offset travel costs for South Australian music industry artists and industry workers based in regional and remote parts of the state, so they can attend the Regional & Remote Music Summit (RRMS) 2026.

Is there a closing date for the EOI?
No. The EOI is open on a rolling basis and is assessed as submissions come in. It will close once the Bursary pool of funds has been fully allocated. There’s no fixed deadline, so we encourage you to apply early, as funds may run out before a closing date is ever announced.

Eligibility

Who can apply?
Individuals: artists or industry workers who live or work regionally or remotely in South Australia. This includes musicians and bands, as well as managers, agents, and promoters who work with regional and remote artists or communities, as long as they’re applying for themselves as an individual, not on behalf of an organisation.

I’m a manager, agent, or promoter, not a performing artist. Can I apply?
Yes. If you work with regional and remote artists or communities and you’re applying in your own name, not as a representative of a business, you’re eligible on the same basis as an artist.

I run a small independent music business and my industry activity is through that entity. Can I still apply as an individual?
Yes, provided you are applying in your personal capacity, the business has no full-time employees other than yourself, and the business does not receive recurrent operational funding. Where two co-directors of the same business both apply, each is assessed individually but only one bursary per business entity will be awarded.

Can a festival, venue, or music business apply?
No. The Bursary is only open to individuals. It’s not available to a business, venue, festival, or agency applying as an entity, or to someone applying to represent one.

Do both an artist and their manager qualify if they’re both attending?
Each of them can submit their own individual EOI, provided each meets all the eligibility criteria in their own right. Each application is assessed as its own EOI; a band or working relationship doesn’t count as a single applicant.

I live in Adelaide but tour or work regionally a lot. Can I apply?
Adelaide metro applicants (postcodes 5000–5199) are only eligible if they can show documented, ongoing regional engagement, for example a consistent history of touring, presenting, or working with regional/remote artists and communities. A one-off regional gig wouldn’t be enough on its own.

Can I submit more than one EOI?
No. Each individual may only submit one EOI under this Bursary.

I have an overdue acquittal from a previous MusicSA or MDO grant. Can I still apply?
Yes, you can still submit an EOI. However, if you’re successful, no funds will be released until your overdue acquittal is submitted and accepted.

Zones and Postcodes

How are the bursary zones worked out?
Zones are based on your home postcode and its approximate travel distance from Berrin/Mount Gambier, where the Summit is being held. The further you are, the higher the subsidy cap.

What are the three zones, and how much can I receive?
Zone 1 (Near Regional) ~50–120 km $1,000 (+GST if applicable)
Zone 2 (Mid Regional) ~450–600 km $1,500 (+GST if applicable)
Zone 3 (Remote & Far Regional) ~1,200–1,800+ km $2,500 (+GST if applicable)

Which postcodes fall into which zone?
Zone 1 (Near Regional):
● Naracoorte 5271
● Penola 5277
● Kingston S.E. 5275
● Millicent 5280
● Beachport 5280
● Robe 5276
● Lucindale 5272
● Coonawarra 5263
● Frances 5262
Zone 2 (Mid Regional):
● Waikerie 5330
● Blanchetown 5357
● Renmark 5341
● Port Wakefield 5550
● Berri 5343
● Loxton 5333
● Barmera 5345
● Morgan 5320
● Cadell 5321
● Adelaide metro 5000–5199 (eligible only with documented regional engagement; see Eligibility above)
Zone 3 (Remote & Far Regional):
● Port Lincoln 5606
● Streaky Bay 5680
● Ceduna 5690
● Whyalla 5600
● Port Augusta 5700
● Cowell 5602
● Cleve 5640
● Kimba 5641
● Wudinna 5652
● Woomera 5720
● Coober Pedy 5723
● Roxby Downs 5725
● APY Lands communities (5723–5725)

My town isn’t listed. What zone am I in?
The list above covers the main towns in each zone, but it isn’t exhaustive. If your locality isn’t listed, MusicSA will determine your zone by reference to the nearest listed locality and your actual travel distance to Berrin/Mount Gambier.

Is my zone based on where I live, or where I’m travelling from?
Your zone is based on your home postcode as stated in your EOI.

Can I request more than my zone’s cap if my expenses are higher?
No. You can only apply for, and receive, the subsidy cap for your zone. If your actual expenses exceed that amount, you’re still expected to attend for the full Summit (this is one of the eligibility declarations you make when applying).

Applying (EOI Process)

How do I apply?
By completing the official RRMS SA Travel Bursary EOI form. All required fields must be completed accurately and truthfully.

How will EOIs be assessed?
On a rolling basis, in the order they’re received, against the eligibility criteria and the funds remaining. MusicSA may also take zone, First Nations prioritisation, prior recipients, and overall regional spread into account.

Will I hear back either way?
Yes. Applicants are notified in writing of the outcome of their EOI, whether successful or not.
What if MusicSA thinks something in my EOI is incomplete or doesn’t meet the criteria?
MusicSA reserves the right to decline any EOI that’s incomplete, inaccurate, or doesn’t meet the eligibility criteria.

Funding, Payment and Acquittal

How do I get paid if I’m successful?
MusicSA pays approved funds directly to your nominated bank account, prior to the Summit, once you’ve provided a valid Tax Invoice.

What can I spend the funding on?
Travel and directly associated costs of attending the Summit, for example transport, accommodation, and meals while travelling. Funds can’t be redirected to other purposes without MusicSA’s prior written approval.

What happens if I’m approved but then can’t attend?
Let MusicSA know as soon as possible, and you’ll need to repay any funds you’ve already received.

What do I need to submit after the Summit?
Within 4 weeks of the Summit ending (by 27 November 2026), Grantees must submit:
● A brief written summary of the sessions, meetings, and other Summit-related activity attended
● A sample of receipts or tax invoices covering the main expenses met by the Bursary
● A short quote or testimonial and photos, which MusicSA may use for promotional purposes

What happens if I don’t submit my acquittal?
It may affect your eligibility for future MusicSA programs or MDO funding, and MusicSA may recover funds already paid.

Still Have a Question?
Contact MusicSA at info@musicsa.com.au. We’re happy to help clarify your eligibility or zone before you apply.