Yamaha Music Australia's Launches Main Stage Grant Returns in 2026

Yamaha Music Australia's Main Stage Grant returns in 2026, providing the next generation of Australian artists with the tools needed to create, record and perform.

The grant is open to artists across three categories: bands, songwriters/artists and studio/music producers.

One creative from each group will be recieve a tasty $5,000 cash plus $5,000 worth of Yamaha gear. 

Applications are open now until 10am AEST Tuesday 6 October, with finalists set to be announced on Tuesday 27 October.

The winners will be determined by a panel of industry experts and tastemakers and announced on Tuesday 17 November.

Entry is simple. All you have to do is head to yamahamusic.formtitan.com, fill out the entry form and share your best track. The experienced panel of judges will listen to all the songs submitted and pick a winner in each category based on clarity, originality, artistic integrity and potential for impact.

Sydney art-folk outfit Beryl received the Main Stage Grant under the Band category last year. Reflecting on the experience, the band says, "It genuinely helped move our career forward. The grant helped us record our upcoming third album, and it also provided us with some great Yamaha gear to take on tour." 

The two other recipients were multi-instrumentalist Dylan Atlantis (songwriter) and rising electronic artist Moss (producer), who were selected from more than 500 Main Stage Grant applicants across the country. 

For more details, visit au.yamaha.com.

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The Main Stage Grant continues Yamaha Music Australia's commitment to supporting emerging Australian artists and follows previous efforts including the Share Your Moment Competition and Great Start Grant.

Yamaha Music Australia is also a proud supporter of Support Act, with every $5 donated to Support Act for every 2026 Main Stage grant received.

“The response to Main Stage last year was incredible, and confirmed there was a real demand for a program like this," says Mitch Kelly, Yamaha Music Australia.

"What stood out most wasn't just the volume of applications, but the quality of the talent and the stories behind them. It reinforced our belief that Main Stage could become something much bigger than we originally imagined, and after hearing so many incredible stories from artists across Australia, it's hard not to want to do more. Beyond the grant, we've supported artists with product, content creation and tour announcements, and we're working to grow Main Stage into a wider support community.”

Applications for the Yamaha Music Australia Main Stage Grant are open now until 10am AEST Tuesday 6 October. Enter via au.yamaha.com.