Placements 2027
NSW+National Programs
About
The AAM believes in developing the skills of arts workers and small business owners in an ethical manner, whilst removing unnecessary obstacles to genuine career pathways. Placements is a non-tertiary-connected, artist management paid internship program that endeavours to provide a realistic and sustainable training pathway for developing the next generation of Australian artist managers. It breaks away from traditional training structures and acknowledges that the music services industry (managers, labels, agents and others) don’t require paper qualifications. Similarly to a trade profession or small-business enterprise, Placements recognises real-life, initiative-led industry experience as essential to entering a career in music artist management - and increasing the overall knowledge-base of workers in this vital sector - and it acknowledges that advanced, specialised skills in this career are gained through experience, on-the-job training, professional development and vocational courses.
The goal of the AAM’s Placements program is to create a successful internship model that operates as a two-way street, benefitting both interns and host companies, to service both parties and the broader Australian artist management sector.
During the internship period (January 4th 2027 - June 30th 2027), interns gain a deeper understanding of artist management, increase their confidence, and gain tangible industry experience by working within an artist management host company - an opportunity that supports next steps in their career trajectory and/ or can lead to employment opportunities. By hosting an intern, host companies experience genuine operational benefit, increased capacity, and improved well-being and morale, due to reduced workload pressures and increased team support.
Important note regarding program period: The official internship period for the 2027 NSW and National Placements programs will run for 6 months (January 4th 2027 - June 30th 2027), but onboarding for both Host Companies and Interns will take place between late-October - December 18th 2026.
Program Outcomes
Placements has consistently delivered strong outcomes for both host companies and interns.
For host companies, taking on an intern provides genuine extra capacity at a time when "lack of time and money" remains one of the most persistent barriers to sustainability in artist management - enabling faster delivery, greater creative risk-taking, and room to scale. Hosts have also used the program as a live testbed for improving onboarding, documentation, and responsibility distribution within their business, strengthening the mentoring capability of their senior staff and refining internal systems in ways that support ethical scaling and help prevent burnout. After an initial training period, most hosts report their workload easing, supporting a healthier work-life balance and reducing the mental strain that so often accompanies running a small artist management business - a benefit that flows on to the artists on their roster, who receive more attention and service on their projects, and to the contractors they work with.
For interns, the program has proven to be a genuine turning point - bridging the gap between study (or self-directed learning) and real-world practice in a way no classroom can replicate, without the cost of further education. Interns consistently report noticeable growth in confidence, communication skills, and industry literacy, alongside a deeper strategic and operational understanding of artist management, from recording and release planning to touring and broader career development. Many have had the opportunity to work on major, real-world projects - including international touring logistics, album releases, rebrands, national tours, marketing campaigns and grant writing - while building meaningful, lasting networks across their peers and industry partners, and, where their host company also operates as a label, publisher or touring company, gaining experience across those adjacent fields too. To date, 100% of Placements interns have gone on to part-time roles with their host companies after the internship ended - though this is not a guaranteed outcome of the program, it reflects the strength of the relationships and value interns and host companies can build through this program.
How It Works
-
From January 4th 2027 to June 30th 2027 (with onboarding taking place between late-October to December 18th 2026), the AAM will be delivering two editions of our Placements artist management paid internship program:
The Placements NSW Program — generously funded once again by Sound NSW — will run for the third consecutive year, supporting four Host Companies and four Interns based within NSW.
For the first time ever, support from Music Australia means that a new Placements National Program will run, for four Host Companies and four Interns who are based in regions outside of NSW.
The NSW and National programs will run simultaneously to one another.
-
In 2027, there will be 2 Placements programs: A NSW program (for NSW-based interns and hosts) and a National program (for interns and host companies based outside of NSW). Each program will match 4 early-career or aspiring manager interns with 4 artist management host companies. (So across the 2 programs, 2027 will see 8 interns and 8 host companies selected to take part.) Both the host companies and interns - for both the National and NSW programs - will be selected through a competitive application process.
For the NSW Program, NSW-based interns will be placed with NSW-based host companies. For the National Program, interns will be placed with a host company that is also based in the same state or territory they are based in.
Applications open August 4th 2026.
-
The interns will work as a paid employee of their host management company for 4 x days per week over a 6-month period (January 4th 2027 - June 30th 2027) under Clerks Award Level 2 ($29.45/hour + super). In addition interns will receive annual leave, sick pay and other entitlements as applicable. (Please note that interns will need to provide their own computer for the duration of the internship). Host companies will be provided with a financial contribution from the AAM, which covers the total cost of salary and entitlements for their intern. The host company will then pay their intern directly, for the duration of their time working together.
-
Each host company will be paid a contract services fee of $6500 (excl GST) so they can provide desk space, pay for subscriptions, software and/or other essential things needed to support the paid intern position.
Additionally, the AAM will provide Hosts with a $1000 ‘travel fund’. This is to be used to help cover costs for the intern to attend any in-person activities, events or shows during the internship period. Host and interns will choose together which activities would be most valuable to put this towards, and report this back to the AAM.
Host & Intern Expectations
-
All hosts and interns are required to attend and/or complete (as applicable) all activities outlined under the ‘Program Timeline & Key Dates’ section below.
This internship is intended to be an IRL experience for all parties involved. We highly encourage interns be working on-site within the business environment within their host company.
Interns and hosts are expected to correspond with AAM staff on a regular basis throughout the program.
-
Hosts are expected to have at least one senior manager within the company willing to train the intern, assigning them junior artist manager tasks in the realm of administration, coordination and assistant management. It is acceptable for the senior manager to assign some training duties to another manager of authority within the company, as long as the senior manager remains regularly involved.
Hosts are expected to demonstrate patience, flexibility, fairness and a willingness to teach their intern the in’s and out’s of the role of an artist manager.
Host companies will be selected before interns. If you are selected to be a host company, you must be able to review shortlist candidate applications (between Monday 28th September - Sunday 4th October 2026) and undertake interviews with potential interns during the interview period (Monday 12th - Thursday 15th October 2026). (The AAM will liaise with you about suitable times for you and the shortlist intern candidates to meet virtually). Host companies are required to notify the AAM of their chosen intern by COB on Friday 16th October, 2026.
In accordance with the law, the host company will need their own employment agreement with the intern directly. This means that the AAM will provide funding to the host company for both the host company services and the intern services (the host company to distribute the intern payment directly to them).
The host company will need to sign an agreement with the AAM laying out the terms of the engagement.
The host company, intern and AAM will all sign a Code of Conduct at the beginning of the internship.
Hosts are expected to have a central, IRL hub where work is usually conducted between two or more members of the company. They must be able to provide desk space, wifi, all required software, and any relevant insurance to host an intern for 4 days per week for 6 months (January 4th 2027 - June 30th 2027).
Hosts are expected to keep track of their experience, recording the challenges, ideas, tasks assigned, staff structures, items delegated, successes, failures, etc., for sharing with the AAM for reporting purposes as requested. This knowledge is intended to help improve elements of the program.
Hosts must have a drive to want to find the most efficient operational processes for a growing management company.
-
Interns do not require any tertiary qualifications, but must demonstrate a commitment to a career in artist management.
Interns must also be able to display ways in which they’ve proven themselves as a self-starter, and proactively created opportunities for themselves in the field already, no matter how big or small.
In accordance with the law, the host company will arrange their own employment agreement with the intern directly. The host company will distribute payments directly to the intern. The host company, intern and AAM will all sign a Code of Conduct at the beginning of the internship.
Eligibility Criteria
-
To apply to be a host company, you must be:
For the NSW Program, you must be a NSW-based company/business. For the National Program, you must be a company/business based outside of NSW (but within Australia).
Have an ABN and/or ACN
Please note you must be an Executive or General level AAM member to apply as a Host Company
You must submit an application by the due date to be considered for this program.
-
To apply for an intern position, you must be:
An early-career - or aspiring - artist manager. For the NSW Program, you must be based in NSW. For the National Program, you must be based outside of NSW (but within Australia).
18+ years old.
An Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident.
You must submit an application by the due date to be considered for this program.
You do not need to be an AAM member to apply as an intern for this program.
Conflict of Interest Policy
-
The Association of Artist Managers believes in good governance and ethical practice. We are committed to ensuring that our processes are transparent and that a clear conflict of interest policy is practiced with each decision on funding and opportunities. In particular, we are committed to transparency on the decision-making process when it comes to active artist managers and AAM members who may also contribute to the organisation in the following capacities:
The AAM is governed by a Board of senior artist managers and music industry practitioners, most of whom volunteer their time. While still actively working in the industry, they offer their advice and expertise at a macro level, helping to steer the overall strategy of the organisation.
In addition, there may be times when we engage contractors to work with us in delivering AAM projects, programs or other activities, who are also active artist managers and AAM members.
Finally, the organisation benefits from the leadership of its Patrons, many of whom were the founders of the organisation, or who otherwise served at least two full terms on the board. Many of these Patrons are also still practicing artist managers.
Anyone from these categories who is an AAM member, and meets the other criteria of AAM-provided opportunities, are eligible to apply for funding and opportunities offered by the organisation, however the judgement of their application is kept at an arms-length. No internal staff, Board members or Patrons have a say in the outcome of their applications. The job is instead outsourced where necessary to either third party expert(s) or affiliated organisation(s) involved in the funding or opportunity, to make the final decision.
Should you want to know more, you are more than welcome to contact the organisation with any questions about this conflict of interest process.
Program Timeline + Key Dates
How To Apply
National Program: Hosts & Interns
Supported by Music Australia
Applications open on Tuesday 4th August, 2026 for both interns and host companies - based outside of NSW (but within Australia) - who wish to apply for the National Placements program.
To be considered, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria (see above) and submit an application form for the role they wish to apply for (intern or host company) by the deadline of Tuesday 8th September, 2026 (3pm AEST).
Four interns, and four host companies, will be selected for the National program.
If you have any questions about this program or the application please contact kate@aam.org.au.
How To Apply
NSW Program: Hosts & Interns
Supported by Sound NSW
Applications open on Tuesday 4th August, 2026 for both interns and host companies - based within NSW - who wish to apply for the NSW Placements program.
To be considered, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria (see above) and submit an application form for the role they wish to apply for (intern or host company) by the deadline of Tuesday 8th September, 2026 (3pm AEST).
Four interns, and four host companies, will be selected for the NSW program.
If you have any questions about this program or the application please contact kate@aam.org.au.