2024-25 Survey

MEAA Musicians Australia Survey 2024-25

General Information

Your Place in the Industry

Costs

Safety

Final Thoughts

MEAA Musicians Australia Survey 2024-25
If you are having trouble filling in this survey please call 0489 994 232 to organise completing it over the phone.

Musicians Australia is the union for Australia's working musicians. We're an organisation led by our members, working to build a better, fairer and more sustainable music industry.

Each year, we conduct a Survey to help us research the state of the music industry. Your responses will help us work together on our plan to win greater recognition and respect for all working musicians, in 2025 and beyond.

We acknowledge and understand that musicians engage in a diverse range of work and that it may follow cyclical patterns beyond a traditional calendar year. Therefore, as you respond to our survey, we appreciate your efforts to provide your best estimates for 2025.

All respondents will go in the running to win 1 X $500 gift voucher to a select music store.

This survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Your responses will be kept confidential and all identifying attributes will be removed.

*Please note: All information collected will be dealt with in accordance with the MEAA Privacy Policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact musiciansaustralia@meaa.org.
General Information

This section is about you.
What is your gender?*

FemaleMaleNon-binaryPrefer not to sayOther
What is your age?*

Under 1818-2425-3435-4445-5455-6465 or olderPrefer not to say
Are you an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander?*

YesNo
Do you identify with any of the following groups? (Select all that apply)*

LGBTQIA+Living with disability(s)Culturally and/or Linguistically Diverse (CALD)Black or Person of colourNone of the aboveOther
What state/territory do you live in?*

New South WalesVictoriaQueenslandSouth AustraliaWestern AustraliaNorthern TerritoryTasmaniaAustralian Capital Territory
Your Place in the Industry

This section is about your role(s) and experience(s) in the music industry.
How many years of experience do you have working as a musician?*

Less than 1 year1-5 years5-10 years10-15 years15-20 years20-25 yearsMore than 25 years
What is the highest *music related* education you have received?*

High school or belowVocational education/training (e.g. Tafe, AIM, AMEB)Bachelor's degreePostgraduate degreeOther
Which types of gigs do you usually play? (Select all that apply)*

Concerts/PerformancesClub/Pub GigsWeddings and private eventsFestivalsSession workCruise ship gigsStreet performances/buskingResidenciesCorporate eventsEducational workshopsChurch servicesOnline streaming/content creationToursOpen mic nightsOther
What roles do you currently undertake in the music industry? (Select all that apply)*

Performer (solo)Performer (duo)Performer (in a band)Performer (sessional)OrchestralTeacherStudentSongwriter/composerOther
As a musician, are you employed under: (Select all that apply)*

A contracting agreement (contractor)An employment contract (employee)Band leader (employer)Other
As a musician, what proportion of your working hours are spent as a contractor?*
All answers are in percentages (%).
As a musician, what proportion of your working hours are spent as an employee?*
All answers are in percentages (%).
As a musician, what proportion of your working hours are spent as a band leader?*
All answers are in percentages (%).
Do you work in the music industry:*

Full-time (you only work in the music industry; this is your main and only form of income(s))Part-time (you have other work outside of the music industry; music is an alternate/secondary form of income)Casually (you work as a musician on an irregular basis; you don't rely on music income)
Select the one which applies to you:*

I depend on the money I earn from being a musician to pay bills and surviveI work as a musician for a bit of extra money and don’t depend on the income
How much of your total income (including from non-music sources) comes from music?*

NoneLess than halfAbout halfMore than halfAll of it
On average, how many music jobs do you earn income from?*

12-34-56 or more
On average, how many non-music jobs do you earn income from?*

12-34-56 or moreI don't work outside of the music industry
What area of the music industry do you get the bulk of your music income from?*

PerformanceRecordingTeachingOther
What proportion of your music work is spent on original content creation?*

NoneLess than halfAbout halfMore than halfAll of it
Are you signed to a record label?*

YesNo
Are you signed to a publisher?*

YesNo
Business status:*

I am an ABN holderI am likely to get an ABN in the next 12 monthsI don't want an ABN
Do you have a booking agent?*

YesNo
What agency are you represented by?
What percentage of fees does your agent take?

Less than 10%10%11-20%More than 20%
Do you have a manager?*

YesNo
What percentage of fees does your manager take?

Less than 10%10%11-20%More than 20%
What are the main reasons/barriers to you working in music full-time?*

Music doesn’t pay enough and I need to supplement my income elsewhereNot enough work is availableI’m not a professional musicianOther
How many of your gigs are paid?*

NoneLess than halfAbout halfMore than halfAll of them
On average, how much do you earn (as an individual) for a gig?*

Most of my gigs are unpaidLess than $100Between $101-$150Between $151-$200Between $201-$250Between $251-$300Between $301-$350Between $351- $400Between $401-$450Between $451-$500More than $500Other

Please estimate:*

Rows	Under $5,999	$6 - $14,999	$15 - $29,999	$30 - $78,999	$79 - $103,500	Over $103,500	N/A
What were your total annual earnings from the music industry this tax year (2023/24)?
How much did you earn from performance work this tax year (2023/24)?
How much did you earn from recording/streaming this tax year (2023/24)?
How much did you earn from teaching/education work this tax year (2023/24)?
How much did you earn from non-music employment this tax year (2023/24)?

How often are you paid according to your performance agreement/contract?*

NeverLess than half of the timeAbout half of the timeMore than half of the timeAll of the time

Approximately, how many hours per week do you spend:*

How do you promote and market your music? (Select all that apply)*

RadioFilm/TVSocial mediaStreaming servicesPhysical copies (CDs, Vinyl)MerchOther
The following questions relate to the superannuation guarantee.
Are you aware that musicians are eligible to receive the superannuation guarantee?*

YesNo
What proportion of gigs do you receive the superannuation guarantee for?*

NoneLess than halfAbout halfMore than halfAll of them
When venues/contractees/employers don’t pay the superannuation guarantee, do you make any personal super contributions for your music work?*

YesNo
In your opinion, why do you think venues/contractees/employers don't pay the superannuation guarantee?*

The venues/contractees/employers I work for are unwilling to pay superannuationAs a freelance worker, I feel powerless to insist on being paidThe rules are unclear to me and the venues/contractees/employers I work forI don't want to be paid superannuation so I don't askOther
Do you have any savings?*

NoYes, under $1000Yes, between $1000 and $10,000Yes, over $10,000
Did you earn royalties distributed by APRA AMCOS in the year 2023/24?*

YesNo
Did you earn sound recording royalties distributed by PPCA in the year 2023/24?*

YesNo
Has your music been scraped for the purposes of training AI?*

YesNoUnsure
Are you concerned about record labels entering into license agreements with AI developers to use music without the consent of artists?*

YesNoUnsure
Have you noticed any actual decline in your income associated with the emergence of synthetic music generated via AI?*

YesNoUnsure
Are you incorporating the use of generative AI (genAI) into your music practice?*

YesNoUnsure
How are you incorporating the use of generative AI (genAI) into your music practice?
Do you feel that copyright provides enough protections for musicians against exploitation from AI?*

YesNoUnsure
Within the last 12 months, did you receive any crisis relief grants from Support Act?*

YesNo
In the last year, have you received any money from the Government? (Select all that apply)*

Yes, money from a State Government/agency grantYes, money from a Federal Government/agency grantYes, some form of CentrelinkNone of the above
What insurances do you require for your work as a musician? (Select all that apply)*

Public Liability InsuranceProfessional Indemnity InsuranceInstrument InsuranceJourney InsuranceNoneOther
As a musician, do you manage your own financial affairs?*

YesNo
Costs

This section is about the financial costs you incur as a musician
What costs do you incur as a musician?*

Musical InstrumentsOther gear (e.g. sound equipment)Music insurances (e.g. public liability)Travel costs (e.g. petrol)AccountantBooking agentMarketing (i.e. social media, website, press kits, promotional materials, PR)Recording Expenses (i.e. studio time, engineer, mixing, mastering, distribution)I don’t incur costs as a musicianOther
What is the approximate total cost of the musical instruments you use to earn an income?

Less than $1000$1,001 - $5,000$5,001 - $10,000$10,001-$20,000$20,001-$40,000$40,001-$80,000$80,001-$120,000Other
What is the approximate combined cost of the other gear (e.g. sound equipment) you use to earn an income?

Less than $1000$1,001 - $5,000$5,001 - $10,000$10,001-$20,000$20,001-$40,000$40,001-$80,000$80,001-$120,000Other
What is the *annual* cost of your Music insurances (e.g. public liability)?

N/ALess than $100$101 - $500$501 - $1,000$1,001 - $2,500$2,501 - $5,000Over $5,000
On average, what are your *per gig* travel costs (e.g. petrol, parking, public transport, etc)?

Less than $50$51-$100$101-$200$201-$300Over $300
What is the *annual* cost of your accountant?

Less than $250$251 - $500$501 - $750$751 - $1000Over $1,000
On average, what is the *per gig* cost of your Booking Agent?

Less than $50$51 - $100$101 - $200$201 - $300Over $300
On average, how much do you spend each *month* on marketing (i.e. social media, website, press kits, promotional materials, PR)?

Less than $50$51-$100$101-$200$201-$300Over $300
On average, what are your *annual* recording expenses (i.e. studio time, engineer, mixing, mastering, distribution)?

Less than $500$501-$1000$1,001 - $5,000$5,001 - $10,000$10,001-$20,000$20,001-$40,000$40,001-$80,000Other
Please specify any additional costs that you incur (i.e. lawyer, website costs etc.)
Tell us in 400 characters or less.
Safety

Dealing with injuries and feeling safe at work
Have you ever been injured at work or while travelling to and from work?*

YesNo
What types of injury did you suffer from?*

Physical injuryMental/psychological injuryDiseaseAggravated injury or ongoing symptoms i.e. a pre-existing injury was made worse through work
How do you think your injury has affected your career development?
What proportion of venues/gigs do you think provide safe workplaces for musicians?*

NoneLess than halfAbout halfMore than halfAll of them
Would you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Working as a gigging musician is inherently unsafe/dangerous."*

AgreeDisagree
Have you been bullied, harassed, or discriminated against in the music industry? If so, on what basis?*

Gender identitySexualityCultural HeritageRaceAgeDisability(s)I have been bullied/harassed, but on no particular basisI have never been bullied, harassed, or discriminated against in the music industryOther
How often have you experienced this?*

Once per year or lessA few times a yearOnce per monthMore than once per month
Have you ever witnessed bullying, harassment, or discrimination in the music industry?*

YesNo
How often have you witnessed this?*

Once per year or lessA few times a yearOnce per monthMore than once per month
If you feel comfortable, please provide details regarding the bullying, harassment, or discrimination you have experienced/witnessed.
For any of the above, did you report the incident to the venue/contractee/employer?*

YesNo
What was the response?
Final Thoughts

This information will help our members address the chronic issues which exist across the music industry
Overall, do you think the music industry treats working musicians fairly?*

YesNo
What are the main concerns you have about the music industry going into 2025?
What other music organisations are you a member of? (Select all that apply)*

APRA AMCOSAssociation of Independent Record Labels Inc (AIR)Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC)Australian Festival Association (AFA)Australian Music Association (AMA)Australian Music Publishers Association (AMPAL)Australian Music Retailers Association (AMRA)Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)Association of Artist Managers (AAM)Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC)Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA)Australian National Council of Orff Schulwerk (ANCOS)Australasian Piano Tuners & Technicians Association (APTTA)Australian Songwriters Association (ASA)Fellowship of Australian ComposersAustralian Society for Music Education (ASME)Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association(ABODA)Music Teachers Associations (MTA)Australian String Teachers Association (AUSTA)KMEIA (Kodaly Australia)Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA)Live Performance Australia (LPA)Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA)Folk Alliance Australia (FAA)QMusicMusic NSWMusic VICMusic NTMusic SAWAMMusic TasmaniaMusic ACTNone of the aboveOther
Do you support MEAA/Musicians Australia initiating industry-level discussions in order to achieve a minimum fee and better conditions for working musicians?*

YesNo
Are you a MEAA/Musicians Australia member?*

YesNo
Would you like to stay up to date on the outcome of this survey and our advocacy?*

YesNo
Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
Mobile Phone*
Input your mobile phone number above.
Your information will be handled in accordance with the MEAA privacy policy.
Should be Empty:

Performing

Rehearsing, practicing, preparation

Business administration

On non-music employment