ARIA expands its Member Inclusion Program

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has today announced the return of its Membership Inclusion Program, this year offering up to five free two-year ARIA memberships to labels or music companies owned or run by individuals from underrepresented groups.

The initiative builds on the inaugural programme launched in December 2023, which was established to uplift future leaders in Australian music by giving underrepresented voices access to the support, networks and industry infrastructure they need to be heard. The original programme awarded five independent labels 18-month complimentary memberships. This year, ARIA is extending the membership term on offer, so recipients have more time to embed themselves in the ARIA community.

Submissions are open here and close 14 September.

Successful applicants will be notified on 1 October and invited to meet with the ARIA team to ask questions and gain valuable industry insights, including how the ARIA charts are created and how releases may qualify for entry into the ARIA Awards.

ARIA CEO, Annabelle Herd, said: “Following the success of our first Membership Inclusion Program in 2023, we're proud to bring this initiative back and back the future leaders of Australian music. The Membership Inclusion Program – and extending the membership offering – is another way we can help ensure we have the right voices in the room to reflect the true diversity of this industry.”

Applicants must be applying for, or on behalf of, an Australian-based independent record label owned or run by a person from one or more underrepresented groups, including but not limited to; gender (women or non-binary), First Nations, culturally or linguistically diverse (CALD), people living with a disability, or those from the LGBTQIA+ community. Existing ARIA members are not eligible to apply. 

ARIA members include the three major labels and over 200 independent labels, actively advocating to support the interests of its members and profile Australian music through the ARIA Awards, ARIA Charts and initiatives like ARIA Innovator.