Studies consistently show that music plays a powerful role in shaping customer experience, from branding and atmosphere to customer engagement and staff morale. Whether you run a café, retail store, gym, salon, office, medical practice or another commercial enterprise, the right music can influence how customers feel in your space.
Many business owners assume that because radio is free-to-air, they can simply pop it on in their workplace without needing any additional permission. However, there are important copyright considerations businesses need to understand before playing the radio in a commercial setting.
This guide explains whether you can legally play the radio in your business and why a OneMusic licence enables Australian businesses to legally play the music their staff and customers enjoy.
Can I play the radio in my business?
Radio is one of the most popular and accessible ways to listen to music in Australia. Businesses commonly use FM radio, AM radio, digital radio and internet radio to create atmosphere and entertainment for customers and staff.
Although radio broadcasts are free for personal listening, this does not automatically mean they can be played in commercial environments without permission.
Playing music protected by copyright in your business without a licence or permission from copyright owners, including via radio broadcasts, may result in copyright infringement.
In Australia, courts have, in some cases, awarded significant damages where businesses have publicly performed music without the appropriate permissions.
Legal considerations for playing radio in your business
Under the Copyright Act (1968), businesses generally need permission to publicly perform copyright‑protected music, regardless of where the music is sourced from, or what industry you operate in - a retail shop, office, fitness centre or at a public event.
This applies whether you are playing:
- FM or AM radio
- Digital radio
- Internet radio
- Music played through TV apps
- Radio streamed online through a speaker
The source of the music does not remove the need for permission where music protected by copyright is being publicly performed.
How playing music without a licence affects creators
Every piece of music heard on the radio is created through the work of music creators, who are entitled to receive income from the public use of their music so they can continue to produce more music.
OneMusic issues ‘public performance’ music licences on behalf of APRA AMCOS and PPCA. Rather than having to negotiate directly with thousands of individual songwriters, composers, publishers, performers and record labels, businesses can obtain a single licence that covers the vast majority of the world’s commercially released music, including music commonly played on Australian radio stations.
Licence fees collected by OneMusic are distributed to APRA AMCOS and PPCA, who then distribute royalties to eligible music creators and rights holders.
Music helps transform spaces, strengthen brand identity and create memorable customer experiences. But before turning on the radio in your business, you should ensure that you have the right licence to play it. You can do so by visiting to explore OneMusic music licensing for various sectors.
Obtain a licence through OneMusic today.
What are the costs to a business for playing radio without a music licence?
Businesses that play copyright-protected content, whether that’s from radio or somewhere else, may be infringing the copyright in that music unless they have an appropriate ‘public performance’ licence.
Failing to obtain a music licence can result in a court-ordered payment of significant financial damages that result in costs for a business that are far greater than the original licence fees they would have originally paid.
A recent example is when a gym operator operating multiple gyms that infringed copyright was ordered to pay over $235,000 in damages and interest, excluding legal costs.
Copyright law exists to protect creators from losing income from their creative works. Getting a licence helps music creators to continue to make the music people enjoy every day by ensuring they receive the royalties they are entitled to.
Obtaining the appropriate music licence is one of the simplest ways for businesses to reduce risk and ensure they are operating within legal boundaries.
Alternatives to radio for businesses
Many businesses also use other music sources to create atmosphere and entertainment, including:
- streaming services
- music apps
- business music providers
- digital playlists
- television music channels
Why you need permission or a licence when playing music in your business
A ‘public performance’ occurs when music is played outside a private or domestic setting. If music is audible to customers, clients, visitors or staff in a workplace or commercial venue, it is generally considered to be a public performance.
Licensing and legal considerations
OneMusic simplifies the process of obtaining a licence to play music legally in your business by providing music licences that cover the vast majority of commercially released music played on Australian radio stations.
Although OneMusic is not a radio station or music supplier it does provide the legal permission required to play commercial music in public.
If radio is free, why do businesses still need a licence?
Radio stations obtain licences that allow them to broadcast music to listeners. However, when a business plays that broadcast publicly to customers or staff outside of a personal setting, separate permission is generally required for that use, which is called ‘public performance’.
A OneMusic licence provides permission for the public performance of the vast majority of the world’s catalogue of music in Australian businesses.
Do I need a OneMusic licence to play the radio in my business?
Yes, if you are playing copyright-protected music from radio broadcasts in a business or commercial setting, you will likely require a ‘public performance’ music licence or other permission.
Playing radio in a workplace, shop, café, gym or other commercial venue is generally considered a public performance under Australian copyright law.
Does OneMusic cover music played through internet radio or smart speakers?
Yes. If a business is publicly playing copyright-protected music through internet radio, smart speakers, digital radio or traditional radio broadcasts, permission or a OneMusic licence will likely still be required.
What happens if a business plays radio without permission or a licence?
Businesses that publicly play copyright-protected music from radio broadcasts without an appropriate licence or other permission may be infringing copyright.
Failing to obtain a music licence or permission can result in court-ordered damages and legal costs that are significantly higher than the cost of obtaining a licence.
Does OneMusic supply the music?
No. OneMusic does not supply, stream or broadcast music. OneMusic provides the legal permission businesses need to publicly perform copyright-protected music.
How does OneMusic help businesses stay compliant?
OneMusic provides a range of music licensing solutions for businesses, helping them obtain permission to publicly perform the vast majority of copyright-protected music used in commercial settings.
