In-Store Music Licence in Australia: What Retailers Need to Know Before Pressing Play

Music makes a shop feel welcoming. A good playlist can set the mood, encourage browsing and give your staff a lift. But if you’re playing music in your business, there’s a legal side that many owners only discover later: you generally need an in-store music licence in Australia.

At Media Group, we set up in-store music and messaging for retailers across Australia, so we get asked about this a lot. Here’s a plain-English guide to the basics. It’s general information only, so check your own situation with the licensing bodies.

Why an In-Store Music Licence Matters in Australia

According to business.gov.au, most music is protected by copyright, so you need a licence or permission before playing it in a commercial setting. That includes:

• Cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars
• Gyms and salons
• Factories and workshops
• Retail stores and service businesses

The source doesn’t remove that obligation: streaming services, CDs, radio, TV and DJs can all involve protected music. Buying an album or a personal streaming subscription doesn’t give you permission to play it for customers.

Why OneMusic Is the Place to Start

Seeking permission from individual rights holders can be time-consuming. APRA AMCOS and PPCA offer a joint licensing initiative called OneMusic, covering a broad repertoire of commercial music. Fees depend on your business and music use.

OneMusic’s retail and service provider scheme is a starting point for shops, salons, clinics and similar businesses. Check the current agreement for the repertoire, activities and locations you need covered, rather than assuming every use is included.

There are two separate checks: public-performance permission and your music supplier’s terms. A OneMusic licence does not override a personal streaming service’s restrictions. Choose a source that permits business use as well as arranging the necessary music rights.

Why Royalty Free Music Is Another Option

Not every business wants chart hits. Royalty free music for business may be an alternative, but the label alone does not mean music is exempt from APRA AMCOS or PPCA fees.

What matters is the rights and repertoire involved, plus permission for your intended commercial public performance. Ask the supplier to confirm the permitted use in writing; a licence for a video or download is not automatically permission for shop playback.

At Media Group, we offer both approaches for in-store systems:

• Top 40 playlists, requiring the appropriate OneMusic cover for represented music.
• Our APRA/PPCA-free music, which we supply for commercial premises without APRA or PPCA fees for those tracks.

That second option is specific to our supplied tracks and agreed use, not a promise about every royalty free library. Adding radio or chart hits can introduce separate licensing obligations. Our team builds tailored playlists around your customers and preferred approach.

Why Your Music Should Match Your Customers

Whichever route you take, choose music with your shoppers in mind:

• Think about your customer’s age and tastes, not your own
• Match the energy to the time of day, calmer in the morning and livelier at peak times
• Keep volume comfortable, so staff can talk to customers easily
• Refresh playlists regularly, so regular staff and customers don’t hear the same songs on repeat

Why Announcements Make Your Music Work Harder

Once the music is sorted, the same system can carry your message. In-store announcements let you promote products, offers and store information between songs, like a mini radio station for your shop.

At Media Group, we script, voice and produce the announcements for you, using professional voice artists, then schedule them for the times that matter most. You can browse our voice artists and hear samples first. If you run multiple stores, announcements can update automatically once head office approves them.

Why a Quick Licence Checklist Helps

• List where you play music, such as in-store, in the workroom and on hold
• Note how it’s played, for example streaming, radio or CD
• Measure the area where customers or staff can hear it
• Confirm track rights and supplier terms, including any mixed playlist
• Keep written records of licences, permissions and track sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my personal streaming account in my shop?

Personal streaming services generally restrict accounts to personal use. A OneMusic licence does not override those terms. You need a business-permitted source and the relevant public-performance permissions.

Do I need a licence if I use royalty free music?

Check the specific licence. ‘Royalty free’ alone does not establish APRA/PPCA exemption or permission for commercial public performance. Our APRA/PPCA-free tracks avoid those fees for the supplied tracks and agreed use; other music needs separate checking.

Does my music licence cover my phone’s hold music?

Don’t assume it does. Tell OneMusic or your supplier how you use music on hold and ask them to confirm the relevant rights and cover for your tracks and phone system.

Why Talk to Media Group About Your Store Sound?

At Media Group, we’d love to help you find the right mix of music and messages for your shop, wherever you are in Australia. Learn more about our in-store music and messaging systems, or request a free quote.

Header image: stock photo “Boutique Moda & Szyk” by Rakoon, Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0, cropped. Illustrative only; not a Media Group client or premises.