Distribution changes
Consultation on proposed changes to APRA’s nightclub distribution practices
7 April 2026
APRA is currently consulting with its members and industry stakeholders on proposed changes to the way royalties are distributed for music performed in nightclubs and dance related venues.
The proposed changes are intended to ensure that distributions more accurately reflect how music is performed and used across different types of venues, and that royalty outcomes remain fair, transparent and representative of current industry practice.
How APRA’s nightclub distributions currently work
APRA currently distributes royalties from nightclubs using a single “nightclub pool”, which includes revenue collected under the Recorded Music for Dance (RMFD) and Featured Recorded Music (FRM) music use categories.
Under the current approach, distributions from the APRA “nightclub pool” are allocated using a combination of data sources, weighted as follows:
- 45% – Music recognition technology (MRT) data collected from a sample of nightclub venues
- 45% – ARIA Weekly Club Chart data
- 10% – Broadcast data
In addition, an amount is allocated to performance claims, similar to the approach used for live music performances.
This approach has been in place for several years and applies broadly across all venues captured within the “nightclub pool”, regardless of any differences in how music is used across those venues.
Why a change is being considered
APRA is reviewing this approach due to several factors:
- Whether the current data sources accurately reflect music performed in venues that are not dedicated nightclubs
- Structural changes in the nightclub sector following COVID‑19, including a shift in licensing activity from dedicated nightclubs to other venues presenting nightclub style‑ or dance related activity
- The importance of ensuring distributions are based as closely as possible on music usage captured directly from the venues contributing to distributable revenue.
What is being proposed
APRA AMCOS is proposing to replace the single “nightclub pool” with two separate distribution pools, to better reflect differences between venue types.
1. Dedicated nightclub pool
For venues that operate primarily as dedicated nightclubs, it is proposed that licence revenue be distributed using a combination of:
- Music recognition technology (MRT) data collected from dedicated nightclub venues
- ARIA Club Chart data
Initially, the proposed weighting would be:
- 50% MRT data
- 50% ARIA Club Chart data
Ultimately, it is proposed that this is transitioned to a greater reliance on venue based‑ data, moving to:
- 75% MRT data
- 25% ARIA Club Chart data
This transition would occur gradually over several years.
2. Other nightclub style‑ venues
For venues that are not dedicated nightclubs but present nightclub style‑ or dance related activity, it is proposed that:
- 100% of distributable APRA revenue from RMFD and FRM licensing would be distributed using MRT data collected directly from those venues.
Under this approach, the ARIA Club Chart and broadcast data would no longer be used for distributions from this pool.
3. Performance claims
The allocation to this dataset will be the lower of 10% of the value of Dedicated Nightclub pool or the then current LPR rate.
Consultation process
APRA AMCOS is undertaking a consultation process to gather feedback from members who may be impacted by the proposed changes, as well as relevant industry stakeholders.
This consultation forms part of APRA’s obligations under its ACCC authorisation and reflects our commitment to transparency and member engagement when considering substantive changes to distribution practices.
All feedback received during the consultation will be carefully considered before any final decisions are made.
Next steps
APRA AMCOS is seeking feedback on the proposed changes to nightclub distribution practices. Members are invited to provide feedback via the consultation form available at the link below:
All feedback must be received by Monday, 4 May 2026 - NOW CLOSED
Once the consultation period has concluded, APRA AMCOS will review all feedback before finalising any changes. Updates on the outcome of the consultation and any resulting changes will be published on this page.
Changes to cue sheet weightings for television, Video-On-Demand (VOD) and cinema
We have received several thoughtful questions about the recent change to cue sheet weightings for television, Video-On-Demand (VOD) and cinema.
We are using this space to provide a clear and detailed explanation of how this decision was made, what it means for you, and how it positions us for the future.
How the decision was made
The review of background, featured and theme music (BFT) weightings began as part of a broader project raised by the APRA Board in 2023, with management undertaking detailed analysis and consultation throughout 2024 and into 2025.
This process included reviewing data, considering member feedback, and benchmarking international practices. The APRA Operations Committee considered several options, including retaining the current weightings, removing only one weighting, or adopting a different structure entirely.
After discussion and review of the data, the Committee recommended to the Board that the higher weighting applied to featured and theme music be removed, so that all background, featured and theme music used in a cue sheet is distributed at the same rate.
International benchmarking
As part of the review, APRA looked at the practices of other international affiliates. While the CISAC definitions for BFT are consistent globally, the weightings applied by individual PROs are not.
For example, PRS, IMRO and KODA all apply a flat weighting across BFT use, while others such as ASCAP, SACEM, SOCAN, TEOSTO and GEMA use different multipliers.
This benchmarking confirmed that there is no single global standard, and that moving to even weightings aligns APRA with a growing trend internationally.
Analysis and impact
Our distribution team analysed the proportion of total music classified as BFT across TV and VOD pools. Over 90 percent of music in cue sheetsis classified as background, with featured and theme making up only small single-digit percentages. The modelling showed that the overall impact of removing the higher weightings is relatively low, given the dominance of background music.
Importantly, the Board also requested that management modify the proportion of royalties allocated to jingles. This means that while royalties for featured and theme works would decrease, this was balanced by an increase in royalties allocated to jingles.
Quarterly differences in licence fees from broadcasters or cinemas – for example as a result of changes in advertising revenue or sales of movie tickets – will cause larger variances in your royalties than this change in distribution practices.
The modelling also took into account changes in viewing habits, such as the decline in consumption of theme music in credits due to viewers skipping opening sequences on VOD platforms.
Which pools are impacted
The changed practices apply only to our Australian and New Zealand domestic distribution pools for television (free, national and pay), VOD and cinema. These changes do not have any impact whatsoever on your earnings from international sources.
Why this change matters for the future
A key reason for moving to even weightings is to enable the adoption of music recognition technology (MRT) in our audiovisual distributions. MRT is part of APRA’s medium- and long-term strategy to improve the accuracy and scalability of distributions while managing costs.
MRT reporting does not currently distinguish between background, featured and theme, so simplifying our rules now allows us to take full advantage of these technologies as they become more widely used. This means more accurate processing and maximised payments for members in the long term.
Governance and transparency
This decision was made under APRA’s Distribution Rules and governance framework, which require changes to be fair and equitable. The Board considered member impact, international benchmarking, and strategic benefits before approving the change. We will continue to monitor distributions and review the impact annually and are committed to providing transparency around outcomes.
We are committed to transparency and to ensuring our practices continue to serve members fairly and effectively.
For full details, you can review:
