| We know it’s a tough time to be running a live-music venue. Rising costs, changing regulations, workforce pressures and unpredictable audience behaviour are placing enormous strain on venues across the state. We see that. We hear it every day. And we want to acknowledge the resilience, care and sheer determination it takes to keep the doors open and the music going.
Our recent advocacy includes work on planning reform, licensing and security settings, a submission to the Productivity Commission’s AI Inquiry, participation in the Art of Tax Reform Summit in Sydney, and contribution to the City of Melbourne’s 2050 Vision. This work is guided directly by venue operators through the Victorian Live Music Venues Roundtable and our ongoing engagement with venues across metropolitan and regional Victoria. We want to acknowledge and thank the venue representatives who generously share their time, knowledge and lived experience through the Roundtable and related discussions; your contribution is invaluable and is directly shaping policy reform.
We are also preparing to present the Victorian Music White Paper to government. This sets out a long-term strategy for strengthening the live-music ecosystem through fair regulation, sustainable investment and recognition of music as cultural infrastructure. The goal is to ensure venues remain central to Victoria’s cultural, social and economic life, now and into the future.
Thank you for everything you do to keep live music alive. We are here, and we are working alongside you.
Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) Reform Report: What It Means for Venues
The Insurance Council of Australia recently launched a report calling for the first major overhaul of public liability insurance laws in 25 years. a move that could deliver systemic relief for live-music venues. Key drivers of the rise in premiums include rising claims costs, legal and litigation expenses, psychological injury claims, and delayed claim notifications.
The report’s major reform recommendations include:
- Clearer limitation periods and notification requirements
- Reform of psychological injury claims to prevent compounding damages
- Caps on legal fees for claims under set thresholds
- Banning “claim farming” practices
- Review of how “dangerous recreational activities” are classified
These reforms signal that there is a pathway toward more sustainable and predictable premiums.
Insurance Information Session (Free)
Music Victoria does not endorse or recommend any specific insurance provider, broker or product. We are sharing this session for information purposes only, in response to sector requests for clearer guidance on insurance processes and cost drivers.
Luma Insurance, is hosting a free 45-minute online information session:
"Cutting the Cost of Insurance for Live Music Venues: What You Can Actually Do About It"
Tuesday 11 November 2025
2:30pm AEDT (Zoom)
The session will provide:
- An explanation of current insurance pricing pressures
- What underwriters look for when assessing venue risk
- Steps that may help lower premiums or strengthen applications
- An update on a Live Venue Insurance Coalition currently being explored
This session is open to venue owners, operators and bookers who wish to attend.
Register: https://forms.gle/gd7pbNKv4N5Rchn76
Licensing & Safety Reform
Informed by the Roundtable, Music Victoria continues to advocate for proportionate, risk-based security and crowd-management requirements. The aim is to support safe and welcoming live-music spaces without placing unnecessary financial pressure on operators. Work is ongoing, and we will continue to ensure venue voices are central as reforms progress.
POPE Reform Update
The Places of Public Entertainment (POPE) Permit System (through the Department of Transport and Planning) has been confirmed for review. The goal: reduce confusion and administrative burden, provide clearer guidance on when a POPE is required, and improve coordination across agencies — while maintaining strong safety standards. A short survey to gather venue input will be released soon, with changes expected from late 2026 onward. Music Victoria will continue to advocate throughout this process.
Planning Reform Update
The Department of Transport and Planning and Creative Victoria are progressing work on a new planning framework that is designed to better recognise the social, cultural and economic value of live music.
The proposed changes include:
• Stronger recognition of live music’s role in community life and local economies.
• A more risk-based approach to smaller-scale venues and low-impact activities.
• Reduced duplication between liquor, noise and planning regulations.
• The creation of a Live Music Precinct Overlay to identify and protect key music areas.
These reforms reflect years of advocacy by Music Victoria and our partners, aiming to ensure that planning systems actively support rather than constrain live-music activity.
With respect and solidarity,
Fiona
CEO, Music Victoria |
