How Much Does a Music Licence Cost in Australia?

In Australia, a traditional music licence typically costs A$264 to A$8,424 per year, depending on your business type, size and how you use music. Fees are set by OneMusic (APRA AMCOS and PPCA). And that figure is just the licence: the music itself is a separate cost on top. Here is the full breakdown, and how to cut the total to A$9.99 per month.

Licence costs by business type

Business type	OneMusic annual fee (licence only)
Small retail shop (around 150m², digital music)	A$744
Medium retail store (around 300m²)	A$888
Restaurant or café (30 seats, digital music)	A$1,308
Hair or beauty salon (up to 150m²)	A$642 to A$745
Gym or fitness studio (recorded music + classes)	A$3,912 to A$8,424
Hotel or accommodation (lobby + rooms)	A$500 to A$3,000+
Medical or dental practice	A$642 to A$888

Based on published OneMusic Gold tier rate schedules. Actual fees may vary and do not include a music source.

The cost they do not mention

The licence only covers the legal right to play music. It does not include the music itself, so you still pay separately for a streaming source. And Spotify or Apple Music will not do: their terms prohibit commercial use, so even with a paid consumer subscription you would still need the licence on top.

The A$9.99 per month alternative

Melodial includes both the music and the licence in one subscription. Every track is owned or directly licensed by Melodial, and none of the catalogue is registered with OneMusic or any other collecting society, which means there are no royalties to collect and no licence fees to pay.

Business type	OneMusic licence + music source (per year)	Melodial (per year)
Small retail shop (around 150m²)	A$1,044+	A$99.99
Café or restaurant (30 seats)	A$1,608+	A$99.99
Hair or beauty salon	A$942 to A$1,045+	A$99.99
Gym or fitness studio	A$4,212 to A$8,724+	A$99.99

OneMusic fees are based on published rate schedules and vary by business type, size and music source tier. They do not include a music streaming service.

Your Melodial subscription is your licence. No middlemen, no tariff schedules, no annual audits, and a Certificate of Compliance you can download instantly.

What happens if you skip the licence?

OneMusic can take your business to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia under the Copyright Act 1968. The court can order you to pay the back licence fees, the rights holders’ legal costs and additional damages, far more than the licence would ever have cost, along with an injunction that stops you playing music altogether. See the full breakdown of fines and penalties in Australia.

Switching takes three minutes: subscribe, play Melodial exclusively, and download your Certificate of Compliance.

Frequently asked questions

Can I negotiate my OneMusic fees?

Not usually. Fees are based on published tariff schedules, tiered by business type and size. Payment plans may exist, but the total is not typically negotiable for small businesses.

Do licence fees increase every year?

Tariffs are reviewed and often increase annually. Melodial’s price stays flat at A$9.99 per month, with no increases based on venue size or business type.

Is Melodial really just A$9.99 per month?

Yes. One flat price per stream. No per-zone charges, no per-class surcharges, no hidden fees. Music and licence included.

What is the catch?

You can only play Melodial music. If you also play mainstream radio, Spotify or CDs, you still need a OneMusic licence for that music. Play Melodial exclusively and no other licence is required.