A woman performing on stage at SXSW Sydney 2024, holding a microphone, with scenic background and a drummer in the background.

SXSW Sydney 2025

Three women smiling at a conference, wearing name tags and lanyards, inside a large event tent with banners and screens in the background.

Social Enterprise Australia is excited to announce that we are once again joining forces with South by Southwest® (SXSW) Sydney to distribute free passes to improve attendee diversity and inclusion.

Collaborating to open doors, share ideas, and build networks.

Now in our third year of partnership, Social Enterprise Australia is proud to continue championing access, equity and representation at one of the region’s most dynamic festivals of ideas.

From Monday 13 October to Sunday 19 October 2025 SXSW Sydney will bring together over 1,600 events across tech & innovation, games, music, screen and more - spanning venues in Darling Harbour, Chippendale and Sydney’s CBD.

This is a unique opportunity to learn, connect and be inspired - and to ensure that the voices of the social enterprise sector are seen, heard and shaping the future.

SXSW Sydney is about ideas that change the world. Through this collaboration, we're helping make that world more inclusive, more creative, and more representative of the communities driving positive change.

Let’s come together to make SXSW Sydney 2025 the most impactful and inclusive yet.

Woman at an outdoor event taking a selfie with a yellow robot.
APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED
“We are eager to hear from members of First Nations communities, people living with disability, concession cardholders in the screen, games, music, arts and social enterprise sectors.”
— SXSW Sydney team

South by Southwest Sydney.
Bringing people together to inspire the unexpected.

SXSW Sydney - seven days of creativity and innovation, with over 1600 sessions and events including 400+ conference sessions, 150 professional development opportunities, 300+ music performances, 95 film screenings, 150 games and more than 400 brand-led events.  

Looking back - and building forward

In 2024, over 300 people from across the social enterprise ecosystem took part in SXSW Sydney through this collaboration — a powerful reminder of what’s possible when access meets opportunity.

Together, we saw a notable rise in social enterprise visibility and leadership across the festival - from panels and pitch sessions to mentoring events and exhibitions. Leading social enterprises like Who Gives a Crap, Project Rockit, Plate It Forward, Awesome Black, Black Magic Woman, The Social Outfit, Citizen Wolf, TABOO Period Products, OzHarvest, Accounting for Nature, and The Australian School of Entrepreneurship were front and centre - shaping conversations and showcasing the growing influence of our sector.

As part of the experience, SEA supported participants by creating online spaces to connect, share learnings and build relationships, resulting in over 1,500 exchanged messages. We also welcomed social enterprise products on the ground - with Yaala Sparkling (Indigenous-led) and The Parenthood (Neurodiversity-led) providing meaningful goods for attendees to enjoy.

These collaborations don’t just open doors for individuals - they strengthen the conditions for the social enterprise sector to work with others and grow collective impact.

Collage of people enjoying SXSW Sydney 2024 event. Top left shows two women smiling at an outdoor festival. Top right features a singer on stage with a microphone, surrounded by musical instruments, performing at night. Middle left depicts three friends with sunglasses smiling outdoors. Middle right has three women at a festival booth, smiling and holding drinks, with a backdrop of event banners. Bottom left is a group taking a selfie at an outdoor venue with umbrellas and a lit stage. Bottom right shows a woman singing on stage at night, under stage lighting.

Thinking of applying?

Thinking of applying for a free SXSW Sydney 2025 Pro Pass? Here's a quick checklist to help you decide if this opportunity is right for you:

  • You're available between 13–19 October 2025 and can attend in person in Sydney.

  • You work in or are connected to one of the following sectors: Screen, Games, Music, Arts, or Social Enterprise

  • You identify with one or more of the groups we're prioritising — including First Nations people, individuals with a disability, concession cardholders, full-time students, people from culturally and racially marginalised communities, or those living in regional or rural areas

  • You're keen to learn, connect and contribute to a more inclusive and impactful future

  • You're comfortable completing a short application form and, if selected, engaging respectfully with the broader SEA and SXSW Sydney community

If you’re nodding along to most of the above, we’d love for you to consider applying.

Two women standing in front of a large blue SXSW Sydney event banner, smiling at the camera. One is wearing a brown top and black skirt, the other is wearing a beige blazer and black hijab.
APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

What to expect after you apply?

Here’s what to expect once your application is submitted:

  1. Applications open: We’ll collect submissions through an online form.

  2. Panel review: An assessment panel will review eligible applications.

  3. Assessment begins: Applications will be reviewed based on alignment with the program’s goals on a rolling basis.

  4. Notification: Successful applicants will be contacted via email. This may take up to 4 weeks after submission, depending on the volume of submissions.

  5. Pro Pass details shared: Once confirmed, you’ll receive instructions for accessing your SXSW Sydney Pro Pass, along with tips to help you prepare and get the most out of your experience.

Please note: Due to the number of applications we receive, we may not be able to offer individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants — but we do encourage you to stay connected and apply again next year.

A smiling woman wearing sunglasses and a white jacket, holding a smartphone at an outdoor event with tents and people in the background.

FAQs

  • A Pro Pass is your all-access ticket to SXSW Sydney. It’s designed for people who want to go deep into their area of interest — whether that’s Tech & Innovation, Music, Games, or Screen.

    You’ll get priority access to everything happening in your chosen focus area: headline talks, workshops, showcases, networking events and more. You’ll also enjoy full access to the wider program, including other streams — just note that those with priority access to an area will be let in first if it’s at capacity.

    From daytime professional development to evening meetups and entertainment, the Pro Pass is your key to a week of learning, connection and inspiration.

  • A SXSW Sydney Pass gives you access to the Conference — the heart of professional development, panels, and industry sessions. There are a few types of passes:

    • Platinum Pass – gives you access to everything

    • Pro Pass – gives you access to the Conference and one Festival stream (like Music, Games, Screen, or Tech & Innovation)

    • Conference Day Pass – lets you attend for just one day

    A Wristband, on the other hand, gives you access to the Games, Music, or Screen Festivals and the Innovation Expo — but does not include entry to the Conference.

    Wristbands cover all days of each Festival, each running for at least 4 days — perfect for enjoying the creative side of SXSW Sydney.

  • In 2025, Badges have been renamed to Passes, but the access and experience are still the same. A Pro Pass (Music) in 2025 is what used to be called a Music Badge in 2024. Similarly, a Pro Pass (Tech & Innovation) is the same as last year’s Tech & Innovation Badge, a Pro Pass (Games) replaces the Games Badge, and a Pro Pass (Screen) replaces the Screen Badge.

  • Yes! SXSW Sydney will have a range of free events for the public to enjoy. Expect:

    • Live music showcases from Wednesday to Friday

    • Performances and entertainment on Saturday

    • Family-friendly activities on Sunday

    All of this will be happening in and around Darling Harbour, along with a variety of brand activations and partner experiences open to all.

  • SXSW Sydney strives to create an inclusive and accessible environment for all participants regardless of age or ability. More information here.

A panel discussion at a conference, featuring six people on stage with a backdrop covered in logos, an audience seated facing the stage, and a large screen displaying information on the left side.