APRA AMCOS Proposes ‘Innovative’ Tax Offset For Live Performance

APRA AMCOS has completed their tax reform submission in time for next month’s summit.

The PRO’s proposed package has been delivered to the NSW Government’s Tax Reform Summit for Creative Industries, a document that includes an “innovative” offset for live production.

“Our submission to the NSW Government presents a clear framework that recognises music and the broader creative industries as a vital economic sector that drives exports and educational outcomes across the country,” comments APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston.

“With Australian music exports already contributing $975 million to our economy, this represents a moon-shot opportunity for Australia to lean in and become a net exporter of music while strengthening the cultural connections that bind communities together from regional centres to global stages.”

The submission is said to illustrate how targeted tax reform could transform the country’s $8.78 billion music industry and shift us ever close to the longterm goal of becoming a net exporter of music.

The centrepiece is the so-called “AUSTRALIA LIVE” tax offset, which combines live music incentives with theatre production rebates.

Citing Oxford Economics modelling, the live music component alone could generate up to $920 million in Gross Value Added and create 10,800 jobs, according to the paperwork, while boosting musician incomes by $294 million annually.

“Almost 80% of live music venues, nightclubs and promoters in our recent survey identified tax offset support as the most important long-term solution,” Ormston continues. “The live music ecosystem serves as the training ground for Australia’s global musical exports, but we’re still struggling to reach pre-pandemic venue numbers.”

This is about “rebuilding a sustainable live music sector that nurtures emerging talent, supports established artists, and brings communities together through the power of live performance,” he continues.

The APRA AMCOS submission also recommends expanding R&D tax incentives to creative industries; elevating screen composers within Significant Australian Content guidelines; removing taxation inequities between arts and sporting prizes; proposes tax schemes to support the IP development part of the industry with record labels and publishers; and presents the latest international thinking on emerging challenges from AI technology and local content obligations.

“Creators face a reality of seeing their creations exploited by AI platforms without credit, consent or compensation,” Ormston adds. “Our submission shows how smart tax policy has become essential for maintaining cultural sovereignty while supporting innovation in creative technologies.”

Timing is everything. APRA AMCOS’ document is compiled ahead of the inaugural Art of Tax Reform Summit at the Sydney Opera House next month, from which recommendations will be made for the next National Cultural Policy, due to be presented in 2028.

According to an earlier statement from the Minns government, the day-long program will bring together economics and tax policy experts as well as artists, donors, venue operators and other participants in the arts and culture fields, the goal of which is to unlock opportunities to improve taxation for Australia’s creative industries.

After tabling investment of nearly $1.4 billion for the arts and creative industries in last month’s Budget, the NSW Labor Government called for submissions for the Summit, with a closing date of Sunday, August 10th.

Meanwhile, the federal government is approaching the halfway point of its five-year National Cultural Policy, Revive, and is keen to determine the focus for future policies, guided by input from industry professionals and creatives.