New Program Helps Artists Tackle Tamworth’s Soaring Accommodation Costs
With Tamworth’s notoriously pricey Festival-week accommodation pushing artists to the brink, a new $1000 bursary from Joblink Plus is stepping in to help 25 musicians afford a shot at Australia’s biggest country music stage.
Tamworth Country Music Festival (Credit: Jay Seeney)
For many emerging country artists, playing the Tamworth Country Music Festival is a career milestone. But between skyrocketing accommodation prices and the sheer cost of being on the ground for a week, that dream can feel wildly out of reach.
This year, though, there’s good news. Joblink Plus has just announced a new $1000 Accommodation Bursary, created specifically to ease the burden for artists hoping to perform at the Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival this coming January.
The Joblink Plus Accommodation Bursary Program will award 25 artists with $1000 each to help cover at least four days of accommodation in Tamworth, a city where during festival week even the most humble motel room can run steep.
Festival Manager Barry Harley says the bursary is a direct response to consistent feedback from the artist community.
“The Tamworth Country Music Advisory Group has listened closely to artists about the challenges they face in getting to the Festival, from the costs of travel and accommodation to the need for industry connections and support,” he said.
“These barriers often prevent talented emerging artists from showcasing their work on Australia’s biggest country music stage. The Artist Bursary Program is a direct response to that feedback.”
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Each year, Tamworth transforms into Australia’s country music capital and with over 300,000 fans flooding into town, accommodation prices surge accordingly. For unsigned, independent, or up-and-coming acts, it’s often the difference between making it to the festival or missing out entirely.
The new bursary program is all about changing that. As Harley puts it, the goal is simple: "remove some of those barriers, provide practical support, and create pathways for artists to participate fully in the Festival."
Joblink Plus, which joined as an official Festival partner in 2024, is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping people find meaningful work. For Community Engagement Officer Katrina Higgins, the program fits perfectly with their mission.
“By supporting this program, Joblink Plus is not only empowering individuals but also investing in the growth and resilience of the Australian country music industry,” she said.
“We are proud to stand alongside the Festival in creating opportunities that ensure talented artists can turn their creativity into meaningful work and long-term career pathways.”
In a meaningful move toward equity and inclusion, five of the 25 bursaries will be allocated to First Nations artists, reflecting a shared commitment to reconciliation and cultural representation between Joblink Plus and the Tamworth Regional Council.
Applications for the Joblink Plus Accommodation Bursary are now open and will close on November 3. Artists interested in applying can access the online form via the Tamworth Regional Council’s official website.
For those chasing the spotlight on Australia’s most iconic country stage, this bursary could be the ticket that makes it all possible.
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