Millie Millgate announced as inaugural Director of Music Australia

Creative Australia has announced the appointment of Millie Millgate to the role of Director of Music Australia.

Adrian Collette, Chief Executive of Creative Australia advised "Millie is a well-known and highly respected figure in the Australian contemporary music industry. She joins us from Sounds Australia, where she has managed the presentation of over 2200 Australian artists on global show stages since 2009, covering 86 different international events, in 75 cities, across 26 countries.

"As the chair of the Music Australia Council, I am excited for the future of Australian contemporary music. I have no doubt that Millie's appointment, together with the exceptional skills and experience of the Music Australia Council, will create a bright future for artists and the music industry in Australia."

Millgate shared "Music Australia is a once in a generation opportunity and I am truly honoured, excited, and ready to embrace the challenges and lead the change required to shape and grow a flourishing and sustainable industry. Success will take an enormous team effort and I am looking forward to working with the team at Creative Australia, the terrific Music Australia Council, trusted and valued colleagues across our vibrant sector, and all levels and portfolios of government. Let's go!"

Music Australia is being established to support and promote the Australian contemporary music industry to increase discoverability and develop markets and audiences. It will invest to stimulate a vibrant and sustainable music industry ecosystem in which artists can thrive.

Music Australia is an Australian Government initiative of the National Cultural Policy: Revive, a place for every story, a story for every place, launched by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in January this year.

Millgate's career spans the commercial, not for profit, and government sectors. Millgate started her career as venue booker for Macquarie University followed by iconic live music venues – the Annandale and the Hopetoun Hotels. Millgate spent a decade working in artist management and has also held executive positions with the Association of Artists Managers and as Creative Director for MusicNSW. She has served on several boards and committees, currently serving as a director on the board of Support Act.

Millgate leaves Sounds Australia with notable achievements in promoting Australian music globally and supporting thousands of artists build their careers internationally.

In her new role as Director, Music Australia, Millgate will lead impactful change for investment, policy, and artistic development to fuel the growth of the Australian contemporary music industry.

Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) congratulated Millie Millgate on her appointment to Director, Music Australia with ARIA and PPCA Chief Executive Annabelle Herd enthusing “we are thrilled to welcome Millie as the inaugural Director of Music Australia. Her storied career and rich experience promoting Australian artists on the global stage through Sounds Australia are exactly what is needed to lead Music Australia toward a focused plan that helps deliver more Australian music to more people, wherever they may be.

“The goal is simple: establish infrastructure in Australia that helps connect our artists with more audiences. The real job here is building greater muscle behind the marketing and export of Australian music, addressing the correct commercial priorities to make this happen. We are already a top 10 music market globally, and we’re growing. Our industry can and should operate as an export economy in the same way markets like Sweden and South Korea have already proved possible. We will rally behind Millie in any way we can, and I urge everyone with a vested interest in Australian music to do the same. Her success will be the industry’s success.”

The Creative Australia Bill 2023 and Creative Australia (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023 passed parliament in June, delivering on commitments made by the Australian Government through its cultural policy Revive.

Creative Australia looks forward to Millgate joining the team on Monday 20th November 2023.