Menu
Good insurance news for NSW music companies
Good insurance news for NSW music companies
Great news for music venues across New South Wales with the State Governments decision to overhaul the Emergency Services Levy (ESL).
The ESL currently imposes up to 18% on home insurance premiums and approximately 30% on commercial premiums to finance emergency services.
This tax disproportionately affects those who require insurance especially small business. New South Wales insurance customers currently bear a tax burden nearly three times greater than their Victorian counterparts.
In alignment with other mainland states, New South Wales is taking a crucial step towards eliminating similar levies, with Tasmania also initiating a process to reform its levy applicable to commercial insurance.
Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) CEO Andrew Hall states, “Today’s announcement to reform the ESL and find a fairer and more equitable way to fund emergency services is great news for anyone who takes out insurance in Australia’s largest state. It clearly demonstrates the Minns Government understands the impact of this tax on the State’s capacity to recover from extreme weather events, like last year’s record-breaking floods. Reforming the ESL will be a major win for insurance affordability in New South Wales, an issue that is being discussed around kitchen tables and in small businesses around the State.”
The ICA has been advocating for over a decade for the removal of this tax and, leading up to the March State election, ran a communication campaign advocating for a “Fairer Way” to fund emergency services.
The elimination of the ESL on insurance is anticipated to result in an average reduction of up to 15% for home insurance and approximately 23% for business insurance.
A fantastic result especially as music venues struggle with soaring public liability premiums.
Statement from Insurance Council here
NSW Government Press Release here
Australian Music and Games Benchmark
Australian Music and Games Benchmark
From Creative Australia:
Until recently, little was known about the ways in which Australian musicians and composers are working with the digital games sector. Anecdotal evidence suggested that this was a growing area of creative and professional activity. However, we lacked information on the professional activities and demographics of these workers, and what skills and activity are needed for future growth.
In 2023, Creative Australia commissioned Brendan Keogh (QUT) and Dan Golding (Swinburne University) to conduct the Australian Music and Games 2023 Benchmark.
The first of its kind, this study documents the new and innovative ways in which Australian composers and musicians are working within and alongside the digital games sector – from licensing music for use in digital games, composing new dynamic soundtracks for specific games, and conducting live performances of game music.
Link to story here
Full report here.
Space To Create Residency
Space To Create Residency
Space to Create III: Music Residency is an intensive residential program open to emerging through to established First Nations musicians, artists, songwriters, audio engineers, producers and those employed in the music industry.
This program will be delivered in partnership with the Australian National University’s School of Music and the Yil Lull recording studio. The aim of the program is to create a dedicated space so each of the participants can take the time to sustain and grow creative ideas including composition, voice coaching, strengthen technical skills and to provide professional development opportunities for the future. The delivery of the program will be flexible and adapted to each of the participants’ requirements.
Key dates
Applications close: Tuesday 14 November 2023, 3pm AEDT
Residency dates: 21-27 March 2024
Space to Create will provide:
- on campus space, time and resources to develop the participant’s music practice, professional and creative ideas and industry networks
- technical support from ANU and Yil Lull staff
access to state-of-the-art recording studios and studio production support
access to mastering and video editing - music industry masterclasses and creative labs tailored to meet the participants’ needs
- one-on-one mentoring for the participants by selected music industry professionals
- First Nations community and cultural engagement
- a fee for the residency period ($1,000 plus a $75 per day per diem to cover the seven-day residency)
- accommodation, living expenses and travel.
For more information about the Guidelines and to APPLY, please click HERE!
Please distribute to your First Nations contacts in the music industry.