Music licences for hotels, pubs, taverns, bars and casinos

48% spend more in a music pub on Fridays and Saturdays*

The Hotels, Pubs, Taverns, Bars & Casinos scheme has been formulated after extensive consultations with your industry and is designed for a range of hospitality businesses using our music that entertain, feed or accommodate their customers. This could be any venue from a pub, bar, tavern and casino to an accommodation hotel or resort. By purchasing this licence and declaring the uses you require you’ll be covered for OneMusic’s rights when playing background music, including on TV screens in the bar and music in dining areas, featured and live music, recorded music for dance, DJs, and more.

Learn more about how the licence fee for this scheme was set.

For enquiries about licensing your hospitality venue getalicence@onemusic.com.au

Official partner of AHA

Download our Information guide

Get a simple & quick online quote if you need a licence for 1-5 locations:

Get a licence

If you have 6 or more locations, please complete and download your licence agreement, then contact us at getalicence@onemusic.com.au:

Download YOUR LICENCE AGREEMENT

Dining phase-in rates:

1 September 2021 – 31 August 2022 (If applicable, Partial Rights Deduction minus 48.25% of total relevant amounts below)

  • Gold Package 
    7 - 15 capacity $835 
    16 - 30 capacity $1,130 
    31 - 50 capacity $1,605 
    51 - 100 capacity $1,665 
    101+ capacity $1,725
  • Silver Package 
    7 - 15 capacity $355 
    16 - 30 capacity $655 
    31 - 50 capacity $1,130 
    51 - 100 capacity $1,190 
    101+ capacity $1,255 
  • Bronze Package 
    7 - 15 capacity $210 
    16 - 30 capacity $266 
    31 - 50 capacity $462 
    51 - 100 capacity $490 
    101+ capacity $511

1 September 2022 – 31 August 2023 (If applicable, Partial Rights Deduction minus 48.25% of total relevant amounts below)

  • Gold Package 
    7 - 15 capacity $870 
    16 - 30 capacity $1,180 
    31 - 50 capacity $1,680 
    51 - 100 capacity $1,735 
    101+ capacity $1,800
  • Silver Package 
    7 - 15 capacity $375 
    16 - 30 capacity $685 
    31 - 50 capacity $1,180 
    51 - 100 capacity $1,240 
    101+ capacity $1,305
  • Bronze Package 
    7 - 15 capacity $225 
    16 - 30 capacity $285 
    31 - 50 capacity $490 
    51 - 100 capacity $515 
    101+ capacity $540 

Functions phase-in rates:

  • 1 September 2021 – 31 August 2022 day rate is $11 and minimum annual fee is $78
  • 1 September 2022 – 31 August 2023 day rate is $13 and minimum annual fee is $84.50

Do I need a licence to play music in public places?

If you play music protected by copyright out loud in a public place for a commercial purpose such as a shop, a gym or a bar you need permission or you need to purchase a music licence. Legally this music use is different to playing music at home or in your car. This is called public performance of music.

What is the cost of a music licence for businesses?

Music licence costs depend on your business type, music devices and whether the music is protected by copyright. If you use the radio and you are a small shop the cost will be much, much smaller than if you are running a multi-purpose theatre. 

How can I legally play music in my business?

Your business can legally play music protected by Copyright by getting permission first. Permission can be from OneMusic Australia in the form of a licence for millions of songs in its catalogue, from the artists themselves for every song, through a background music supplier or other means. You need permission or a licence when your stream music in your business.

What happens if I don't take out a licence?

If you want to play and enjoy the use of virtually any commercially released music from anywhere around the world, you should immediately enter into a OneMusic Australia licence, because using OneMusic Australia’s music without a OneMusic Australia licence can constitute an infringement of our copyright which, if not rectified, may ultimately lead to legal action.

Of course, we will happily talk with you about your music licensing and certainly provide a reasonable time frame for you to take out a licence before escalating the matter any further.

But, if our music continues to be used without permission, then we will be left with no option but to enforce our rights on behalf of our members and affiliates, which could involve court proceedings. Such action may result in the business having to pay the licence fees as well as other damages and legal costs.

Over 95% of businesses and organisations that we deal with are readily compliant.

How much is a music licence?

To purchase a music licence you select only the cover you need for your music devices. Music licence fees start $100 a year. Fees differ by industry, a shop pays a licence fee on its floor space, a nightclub on attendance and a café on seating capacity.

Is it the performer or the venue that needs the licence?

OneMusic does not generally licence individual or group live performers such as bands and DJ's. It is the venue or the event organiser who needs to obtain a licence for public performance.

Performers may still need permission for copying

A performer may require licensing for any reproductions they are considering such as photocopying sheet music, videoing their performance, copying CDs onto a laptop. 

DJ Alliance have signed an agreement with ARIA and AMCOS to cover their physical and digital copies of music. This agreement covers their members starting from 1 July 2019.

Outside this arrangement:

OneMusic licenses performers who are part of a Community Music Group.

* PRS for Music The value of music in pubs. September 2011

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