The Journalism Assistance Fund is helping the sustainability of Australian news publishers by providing a proportion of the wages for journalists producing core news content that is distributed digitally.

The Journalism Assistance Fund Program, running over 3 years from 2025-26, was announced as part of the News Media Assistance Program (News MAP). News MAP aims to support public interest journalism and media diversity in Australia - recognising these are critical to a healthy democracy, social cohesion and informed citizens.

Organisations producing core news content will be eligible for funding. The funding will provide a proportion of the wages for journalists producing core news content that is distributed digitally.
The program aims to:

• support the sustainability of Australian news publishers in the face of significant disruption to the media sector
• support the creation of digitally distributed news content
• encourage continued employment of journalists who primarily produce news that is in the Australian public interest
• build and maintain social cohesion in Australia.

You can apply if you:

• have an Australian business number (ABN)
• are registered for the Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• have an account with an Australian financial institution
• are an entity that produces and publishes core news content that is distributed digitally

and be one of the following entities:

• an entity, incorporated in Australia
• a company
• an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
• an incorporated association
• a co-operative
• a partnership
• an incorporated not for profit organisation or registered charity
• a sole trader.

• Email: enquiries@industry.gov.au