This licence is for radio stations holding an Open Narrowcasting Licence from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). A narrowcast broadcast service targets special interest groups, or is received in a limited location for limited period of time.
We provide three licences for narrowcast radio stations.
We offer licences to cover our repertoire in the reproduction or copying of tracks, the broadcast over the radio, and if applicable, communication online. Contact us for more information, and to get your licence.
The licence fee is based on gross earning and the percentage of broadcast hours dedicated to music.
| Broadcast Licence | |||
|---|---|---|---|
The greater of: | |||
| Maximum Power (single or combined service) | 10 Watts or under | 11 - 500 Watts | Greater than 500 Watts |
| Minimum annual fee | $329 | $566.40 | $1,131.29 |
OR | |||
| AVERAGE MUSIC USE (percentage of airtime occupied by music) | RATE PAYABLE | ||
| 0 –24.99% | 0.50% | Of gross earnings (less bad debts and payments made by subscribers for hire or purchase of receiving equipment). | |
| 25.0 – 39.99% | 1.25% | ||
| 40.0 – 59.99% | 2.00% | ||
| 60.0 – 79.99% | 2.75% | ||
| 80.0% plus | 3.50% | ||
| REPRODUCTION OF MUSIC | $572.00 a year | ||
| SIMULCASTING | $275.00 to $1,100 a year, depending on use | ||
| PODCASTING | $275.00 to $1,100 a year depending on number of downloads | ||
| Rates include 10% GST and are not negotiable. Fees will increase by CPI each year. Licence fees are renewed and may be reassessed each year to take into account any changes in your music use. | |||
Music use is reported by the Annual Reporting Schedule.
You can complete your Annual Reporting Schedule online or download the PDF (123 KB).
Music FM has just confirmed a first transmission date for their 500 watt station in regional NSW. They plan to broadcast 80% music every week. In order to reach listeners across the country, they have decided to simulcast their programs on the website. For the first year, Music FM expect less than 18,000 online listeners per hour.
The broadcast licence fee equals $566.40 minimum fee or 3.5% of their gross earnings for the financial year. In addition, there is a reproduction licence fee of $572.00 and a simulcasting licence fee of $275.00. The total annual licence fee is $1,413.40, which could be higher if the station’s revenue exceeds the minimum fee levels.
annual renewal on 1 October each year.
annual renewal on 1 July each year.
annual renewal on start date.
The licence fees you pay are distributed in the most economical and accurate way possible. Read about our cost to revenue ratio.
As the revenue from the Narrowcast Radio sector is very low and a significant administrative operation for stations to report music, we distribute the licence fees to general radio royalty pools.
Want to print out this information?
Download your copy of the narrowcaster licence information guide (PDF 1.4 MB).
This webpage is a guide only. Refer to the licence for full terms and conditions.
APRA AMCOS alternatives
There are a couple of ways to get permission to use music in your business.
Comments and complaints
We care about the service we give you and we welcome your feedback.
Disputes
If you do not agree with how we apply this licence, our fees, or our services, you can raise a dispute.