APRA AMCOS launch 2026 edition of 23% mentorship program for women and gender diverse music creators - applications now open
Published 23 April 2026
This article was written in collaboration with APRA AMCOS
APRA AMCOS has launched their 23% mentorship program for 2026, with applications now open.
First beginning in 2018, the 23% program pairs women and gender diverse* music creators from all musical genres and practices with mentors from the music industry to help them grow their art and career. This year, 14 places are available for the six month mentorship and all mentees will also receive a grant of $3,000 to help with projects or work-related expenses.
Mentors this year feature artists and creators who have achieved incredible success both locally and globally, and include Alex Hosking, Anna Laverty, Chelsea Warner, Imogen Clark and Mahalia Barnes. They follow in the footsteps of previous mentors Claire Collins, Kristy Lee Peters (KLP), Nat Dunn and Ngaiire.
The 23% program was created to foster greater gender equality in the music industry. In the year of launch, only 23% of all members of APRA AMCOS - who distribute royalties to Australian and New Zealand creators whenever their music is played domestically or internationally - identified as women or gender diverse. This concerning statistic gave the program its name, and is now a key part of the APRA AMCOS’s commitment to addressing gender disparity in music, including a 40/40/20 commitment to a minimum of 40% representation of women across all programs and judging panels.
“The music industry continues to under‑represent women and gender diverse creators, and that calls for decisive action,” Karen Don, Head of Membership at APRA AMCOS says. “Initiatives like the 23% mentorship play a vital role in moving us beyond the original 23% benchmark, investing in talent, career guidance and connection to build lasting relationships and more sustainable careers, and ultimately making progress toward gender parity in our industry.”
Applications are open now until 3 May. For more information and to apply, visit apraamcos.com.au/mentorships.
Women In Pop spoke with some of last year’s mentees to chat about how the program has helped them.
1. Feel supported with open conversations
Lucie O'Connor (Mentor Nat Dunn)
“The aspect I enjoyed most was the depth and honesty of the conversations. Nat created a space where we could speak openly about the realities of building a long-term music career - not just creatively, but emotionally and strategically as well. I really valued having someone who could offer both encouragement and practical insight, and who wasn’t afraid to talk candidly about challenges, self-belief, and navigating the industry as a woman. Those conversations stayed with me long after the sessions ended and genuinely shifted how I think about my career moving forward.”
2. Understand how the industry works from someone who’s experienced it
Georgia Slater (Mentor Jannah Beth)
“The music industry can often feel vague and overwhelming, with little clarity on what is standard practice and what isn’t. This program helped clear the haze and gave me a solid footing to understand how it all works.”
Layla George (Mentor Tyler McLoughlan)
“It has been really good to hear from someone who has achieved things I want to achieve, that it is possible. We creatively brainstormed ideas for marketing and fundraising, explored ideas for touring and live performance that were out of the box. Tyler very much supported my ambitious ideas and showed me how I can realistically achieve them.”
3. Learn about all aspects of the creative process
Layla George (Mentor Tyler McLoughlan)
“My interest has grown in the 'behind the scenes' aspects of the music industry like marketing, management and especially royalties. It’s given me a lot of clarity on how I can run my artistry as a business and protect my art financially and legally, which is really important.”
“We need to keep supporting initiatives that connect together women and diverse people in this industry”
4. Get advice specifically targeted to what you need
Naomi Geste (Mentor François Tétaz)
“There are too many ways to operate in this industry and the creatives are as varied and individual as their art. Being paired with my mentor allowed me to hone in on my specific issues and bridge the gap between how I operate and where that might fit into the industry.”
5. Learn to just focus on what works for you
Sasha Gavlek (Mentor Georgia Fields)
“This will sound silly, but the reminder that I 'cannot please everyone'. This was in regards to me planning my improvisation workshop for women and gender diverse folks. At one point I was concerned about excluding people, so I pedalled all the way back to 'maybe this should be a workshop for all genders', but Georgia grounded me and reminded me why I had wanted to do this workshop in the first place, to create a safe space for women and gender diverse folks who are the minority in the world of improvised music. That it's okay that this workshop is an experience that caters to a specific group of people, and that there will be other opportunities for future projects to be open to male allies. Also, regarding grants, she discussed the importance of 'proof of concept', which was something I hadn't considered before.”
6. Re-focus and re-light the creative flame
Alice Hurwood (Mentor Lucy G Rash)
“This program came just at the right time for me when I was feeling a bit lost for direction and my mentor helped to re-light that creative flame in me and help me feel much more organised and empowered in my work. We need to keep supporting initiatives that connect together women and diverse people in this industry.”
Want to apply for the 23% Mentorship? Applications are open now! To find out more, click here
Follow APRA AMCOS on Instagram and Facebook
*Includes non-binary, trans, gender non-conforming, other non-cis male gender expressions
