Landmark parliamentary report backs vital reforms for live music

Live Music Inquiry report backs long-standing industry calls for major reforms to sustain and grow the sector

Recommends securing financial incentives, supporting Australian content and strengthening global opportunities for Australian music

Australia’s live music industry has received a powerful endorsement from Parliament with the release of the Live Music Inquiry report Am I Ever Gonna See You Live Again?, which backs long-standing industry calls for major reforms to sustain and grow the sector.

The report makes strong recommendations that reflect the advocacy of APRA AMCOS and the broader music industry, securing financial incentives, supporting Australian content and strengthening global opportunities for Australian music.

"This report delivers a roadmap for a stronger, more sustainable Australian music industry that can thrive both at home and on the world stage," says APRA AMCOS CEO, Dean Ormston.

"This is a chance to get the policy settings right, to build on the co-investment of successive Australian governments, back the venues and festivals that bring live music to audiences and ensure that our artists have the opportunities they deserve, both here and internationally.

"Live music is a $16 billion industry supporting 41,000 jobs, yet the venues, festivals and events that take the risks to put on shows have been left without the same level of support as other creative industries. That’s why a tax rebate for live music is such a critical reform—it would be an investment in jobs, cultural vibrancy and ensure live music remains central to Australian life. We’ve been advocating for this since 2016, and it’s time to get it done."

Key Recommendations:

• A Tax Offset for Live Music – The Committee has urged the Australian Government to investigate a tax offset for the live music industry with Treasury, the Office for the Arts and Creative Australia tasked with developing a policy proposal. This aligns with APRA AMCOS's sustained advocacy since 2016, when it commissioned the EY and Oxford Economics reports highlighting the economic benefits of a targeted incentive for venues and festivals.

• Expansion of the Revive Live Program – The report recommends extending and expanding the Revive Live program to ensure long-term support for grassroots and emerging live music.

• Special Entertainment Precincts – Recognising the economic and cultural value of vibrant live music hubs, the Committee recommends that state, territory and local governments designate 'special entertainment precincts.' APRA AMCOS has long championed this approach as best practice for protecting existing venues and fostering new live music spaces.

• Boosting Australian Music Exports – The report calls on Austrade to expand its support for Australian music exports, a vital step in ensuring Australian artists and businesses can capitalise on international markets and increase global revenue streams.

• Strengthening Local Content on Streaming Services – The Committee has urged the Australian Government to work with music streaming platforms to increase the proportion of Australian music surfaced in algorithm-driven playlists for Australian users.

"The Committee’s recommendations validate years of advocacy from APRA AMCOS and our partners across the ecosystem, ensuring live music, venues and artists have the policy support they need to thrive," Ormston adds.

"Australia is home to some of the most innovative, world-class songwriters and performers on the planet, but without confident policy interventions, the gains we've made will be hamstrung.

"We need to shift gears and get serious about securing a thriving future for Australian music. This isn’t just about the music industry, it’s about who we are as a nation. Australian music tells our stories, shapes our identity, and is one of our most powerful global exports."