Our groundbreaking new research reveals NSW primary teachers’ perspectives on the gaps, challenges, and opportunities to strengthen music education

Limelight spotlights our new research revealing a gap between teachers’ passion for music and the support they receive to teach it

The SMH spotlights findings from our ACER Primary Teachers’ Survey NSW, revealing gaps and opportunities in NSW public school music education

With less than a week until the federal election, we’ve asked the incoming government to consider how quality music education can support positive education outcomes in primary schools - and the federal government’s role in making this a reality.

Her Excellency The Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC has been named as Patron of our initiative, championing our mission to ensure every Australian child has access to quality music education.

The NSW Government has responded to the Arts and Music Education Inquiry report by supporting eight of 30 recommendations (and a further eight in principle), and committing to the development of a 10-year Music Education Plan. The door is now open – but further detail is needed to deliver much-needed and substantive change.

With a new Federal funding boost for NSW under the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, we welcome a critical opportunity to address gaps in music education and ensure every student benefits from its academic, social, and wellbeing advantages

On 12 March, the NSW Government is due to respond to recommendations from the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Arts and Music Education and Training report. We're calling for a robust Government response to turn the Inquiry recommendations into actions – outlined in our official response to the Inquiry report.

A collective call from stakeholders is essential to urge the NSW Government to provide a robust and substantial response to the recommendations from the Parliamentary Inquiry into arts and music education and training in NSW.

This year, our initiative achieved key milestones through groundbreaking research, strategic collaborations, and policy engagements – paving the way for an impactful 2025 

Alberts I The Tony Foundation’s Music Education: Right from the Start initiative welcomes the official report by the Joint Select Committee on Arts and Music Education and Training in NSW.

In the latest edition of the NSW Teachers Federation’s Journal of Professional Learning, Dr. Anita Collins highlights the critical need to equip primary teachers with the skills and confidence to teach music, ultimately improving student outcomes

From fostering inclusivity to reviving Indigenous languages through song, meet Nathaniel, the ARIA Music Teacher of the Year, whose passion for music is helping students build confidence, express themselves, and keep their culture alive in remote Northern Territory communities

Discover how our new ‘Backing Teachers’ framework aims to equip school systems across Australia to support primary teachers in delivering high-quality music education so that every student reaps the benefits of music learning

Industry leaders gathered at the inaugural Australian Music Association (AMA) Summit, united in their support of our mission to ensure quality music education for all primary students

During a celebration of music at NSW Parliament House, hosted by the Australian Children's Music Foundation, Music Education: Right from the Start highlighted urgent inequities in access to music education and called for systemic reforms to benefit every child

Six hours southeast of Darwin is the remote Indigenous community of Bulman. A few weeks ago, ARIA award-winning singer-songwriter Jessica Mauboy showed up unannounced at the local school. Here’s why. 

As the newest member of our Advisory Group, Fiona Higgins, a founding director of Australian Philanthropic Services and best-selling author, brings two decades of experience in Australia’s philanthropy and not-for-profit sectors to our mission to write a new chapter in music education in Australia.

Amidst a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry, Emily Albert of the Music Education: Right from the Start initiative and Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Artistic Director Richard Tognetti joined ABC Radio National Drive host Andy Park to discuss the critical benefits of music education as Australian schools grapple with a continuing decline in student outcomes.

With the 2024 NAPLAN results revealing declining numeracy and literacy amongst our students, NSW can quickly address this by utilising specialist music teachers, upskilling generalist teachers, and recognising music education as a vital complementary learning tool