Industry Partner
Support Act.
The heart and hand of Australian music. If things have become genuinely unsustainable, financially, physically or mentally, this is where an industry-backed safety net actually exists.
The heart and hand of Australian music. If things have become genuinely unsustainable, financially, physically or mentally, this is where an industry-backed safety net actually exists.
The Performer Method exists because performers deserve the same integrated support elite athletes take for granted. Support Act has been doing exactly this for the wider Australian music industry for over 25 years, crisis relief, mental health support and genuine advocacy, and their Wellbeing Helpline is free, confidential and available right now, 24 hours a day.
Below is who they are, what they actually offer, and Dr Ash King, the psychologist behind much of their mental health and wellbeing work.
Support Act provides crisis relief, mental health and wellbeing support to musicians, managers, crew, music workers and organisations across all genres of music. Support Act is an industry leader in cultural and behavioural change, and works to build a safe and thriving music industry for everyone, including dedicated, culturally intelligent support for First Nations music workers.
To help create a diverse, thriving music culture where all people in the music industry are safe, supported, respected, valued, heard and enjoy improved health and greater economic security.
Crisis-driven financial assistance for music workers unable to work due to illness, injury or hardship.
Practical and financial support for the families of music workers who have passed away.
Education and training programs built specifically for the pressures of working in music.
Working directly with music businesses to build safer, healthier working environments.
Free, confidential counselling available 24/7 to anyone working in Australian music or the broader creative industries.
Support Act Ltd · ABN 43 079 588 604 · DGR 900449383
The idea for Support Act was first raised in 1980, when publisher John Bromell had dinner with Easybeats singer Stevie Wright and Jane English. Concerned by how little existed to support musicians like Stevie through crisis, John saw the need for an industry-based body that could provide real human and financial support to the people working in music.
He spent years lobbying the industry, and with founding financial support from ARIA, PPCA and APRA AMCOS, Support Act was incorporated as a public company limited by guarantee on 7 August 1997, and launched the following day. It was granted charity status in 2000, and in 2022, marked its 25th anniversary.
John Anderson, Jeremy Fabinyi, Nick Hampton, Peter Hebbes, Peter Karpin, Glenn Shorrock, Simon Fenner, Emmanuel Candi, Dobe Newton, Alex Coroneos, John Bromell, Michael Chugg, Brett Cottle, Meryl Gross, Jim White and Michael McMartin.
Geoffrey Rudd, Jane English, Brian Cadd, Robert Patterson, John Hansen, John Woodruff, Dean Ormston, Keith Potger, Fifa Riccobono, Cath Haridy and Mark Callaghan, among many others who have given their time to the organisation.
A psychologist who understands this industry because she lived inside it first.
Ash is a psychologist, writer/designer and cyberpsychology researcher at the University of Sydney. After her own life in the music industry came to a halt following a permanent vocal injury, she now uses psychology and mindfulness to help people live their best lives with creativity, passion and purpose.
She has worked across a range of creative fields, including film and TV, live music, visual arts and radio, and has run workshops and talks for Amazon, Pinterest, Linktree, Pedestrian TV, APRA AMCOS and BIGSOUND.
Ash believes that learning to manage the mind can be a fun and inquisitive process. Through insight, wisdom and a splash of pop culture, she helps individuals and organisations develop practical skills to go deep, get wise, and be happy.
Find Ash In The DirectoryYou don't have to be in crisis to call. The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline is staffed by qualified counsellors who understand creative work, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in Australia.
1800 959 500