The Short Version: What You Need to Know
If you play music in your business - whether from a radio, TV, Spotify, CDs, or any other source - Australian law says you need permission from the people who wrote and recorded that music. That permission comes in the form of a licence.
Every song has two copyright owners: the songwriter (the person who wrote the words and melody) and the recording artist/label (the people who recorded the version you hear). You need permission from both.
OneMusic Australia bundles both sets of rights into a single licence. Instead of tracking down thousands of individual songwriters and record labels, you deal with one organisation and pay one fee.
Because eJukebox is a commercial background music supplier, your OneMusic licensing tier is dramatically reduced. We can also collect your OneMusic licence fee on your behalf and remit it directly to OneMusic. You could save $400-$800+ per year compared to going it alone with Spotify.
Who Needs a Music Licence?
Retail Shops & Service Businesses
Fashion stores, newsagents, homewares, hairdressers, physiotherapists, motor dealers, optometrists - basically any shop or service business that plays music where customers can hear it.
Pubs, Bars, Hotels & Casinos
If you've got a TV with sound, a speaker system, a jukebox, or even just a radio playing in your pub, bar, hotel or casino - you need a licence.
Cafes & Restaurants
Playing background music in your dining area? Whether it's from a streaming service, radio, or background music supplier - you need permission.
Pretty Much Every Business
The simple rule: if your customers or staff can hear music at your business, you almost certainly need a music licence. Even music on your telephone hold system or your website needs to be covered.
Understanding OneMusic Licensing - In Plain English
What is OneMusic Australia?
When you hear a song, there are actually two separate copyrights at play:
- APRA AMCOS represents the songwriters and composers - the people who wrote the words and melody. Think of it as the "sheet music" copyright.
- PPCA represents the recording artists and record labels - the people who actually recorded the version you're listening to. Think of it as the "recording" copyright.
OneMusic Australia combines both of these into one single licence, so you only have to deal with one organisation instead of two. It's like a one-stop shop for music rights.
Visit OneMusic AustraliaRetail & Service Providers - OneMusic Licence Rates
If you run a shop, salon, or service business and want to play music, here's what OneMusic charges you directly. The price depends on how you play the music and how big your space is.
Gold
Most ExpensiveRequired if you use a personal streaming service like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music. Unlimited devices. Includes Digital Copy/Delivery for up to 2,000 tracks.
Even with Gold, Spotify is still not legal for commercial use.
| Retail Area | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 - 50 m² | $641.94 |
| 51 - 150 m² | $745.11 |
| 151 - 500 m² | $888.40 |
| 501 - 1,000 m² | $1,318.27 |
| 1,001 - 2,000 m² | $1,604.85 |
| 2,001 - 5,000 m² | $2,464.59 |
| 5,001 - 7,500 m² | $3,037.76 |
| 7,501 - 10,000 m² | $3,324.34 |
| 10,001 - 15,000 m² | $3,897.49 |
| 15,001 - 20,000 m² | $4,470.66 |
| 20,001+ m² | $6,190.14 |
Silver
eJukebox $1/Day PlanFor businesses using a commercial background music supplier (like eJukebox), CDs, internet radio, or terrestrial radio/TV. No personal streaming. Unlimited devices.
This is the licence tier you get with the eJukebox $1/Day plan.
| Retail Area | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 - 50 m² | $183.41 |
| 51 - 150 m² | $286.57 |
| 151 - 500 m² | $429.87 |
| 501 - 1,000 m² | $859.74 |
| 1,001 - 2,000 m² | $1,146.32 |
| 2,001 - 5,000 m² | $2,006.06 |
| 5,001 - 7,500 m² | $2,579.22 |
| 7,501 - 10,000 m² | $2,865.81 |
| 10,001 - 15,000 m² | $3,438.96 |
| 15,001 - 20,000 m² | $4,012.13 |
| 20,001+ m² | $5,731.60 |
Silver Lite
eJukebox Full PackageSame as Silver but limited to a single device. Perfect for small businesses with just one speaker or player.
This is the licence tier you get with the eJukebox Full Package.
| Retail Area | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 - 50 m² | $171.94 |
| 51 - 150 m² | $234.99 |
| 151 - 500 m² | $286.57 |
| 501 - 1,000 m² | $573.16 |
| 1,001 - 2,000 m² | $745.11 |
| 2,001 - 5,000 m² | $1,089.01 |
| 5,001+ m² | $1,432.89 |
Bronze
Radio / TV OnlyOnly covers music from free-to-air radio or TV. That's it - if you're only playing Triple J through a radio, this is all you need.
| Retail Area | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 - 50 m² | $100.07 |
| 51 - 150 m² | $105.96 |
| 151 - 500 m² | $111.85 |
| 501 - 1,000 m² | $158.96 |
| 1,001 - 2,000 m² | $235.48 |
| 2,001 - 5,000 m² | $441.54 |
| 5,001+ m² | $588.72 |
The Key Takeaway for Retail
If you use a commercial background music supplier like eJukebox, you qualify for the cheaper Silver (eJukebox $1/Day plan) or Silver Lite (eJukebox Full Package) tier instead of the expensive Gold package. If you use Spotify or similar personal streaming, you're stuck with Gold - and you're still breaking Spotify's rules.
Hotels, Pubs, Bars & Casinos - OneMusic Licence Rates
Hospitality licensing is more complex because venues use music in more ways - TVs, jukeboxes, dining areas, live bands, DJs, and more. OneMusic uses a tiered "package" system based on how many TVs and music systems you have.
Background Music for Location
This is background music in general areas - including attached bottle shops. Not for DJs, live bands, featured music events, or separate dining areas.
| Package | What You Get | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Sapphire | 10+ TV screens, unlimited radios, music systems & music video screens | $3,944.48 |
| Diamond | 7-9 TV screens, unlimited radios, music systems & music video screens | $2,472.66 |
| Platinum | 2-6 TV screens, unlimited radios, music systems & music video screens | $1,412.95 |
| Gold | 1 TV screen, unlimited radios, 1 music system | $618.16 |
| Silver | 1 TV screen, unlimited radios (no music systems) | $235.48 |
| Bronze | 1 TV screen, 1 radio only | $153.07 |
All packages include Workplace Music (excluding branch/head office staff) and Telephone on Hold for up to 2 lines (Gold and above).
Additional Fees You Might Need to Pay
The background music packages above are just the starting point. Depending on how your venue uses music, you may also need the following on top:
| Add-On | When You Need It | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Copy / Delivery | Using a personal streaming service (Spotify, Apple Music etc.) or downloading music digitally | +$470.98/yr |
| NOT required if you use a commercial background music supplier like eJukebox | ||
| Website Use | Background music on your business website | +$647.60/yr |
| Dining Area | Separate music zone in your dining area (7+ seats) | $249 - $1,994/yr |
| Featured Recorded Music | DJ nights, karaoke, retro nights, jazz nights | $0.29/person/day |
| Live Music | Live bands and solo performers | 2.2% of performer fees |
| Recorded Music for Dance | Nightclub-style dance areas | $2.11/person/day |
All prices as at September 2025. Prices increase by CPI annually on 1 September each year.
The Spotify Trap
Many business owners think: "I'll just play my Spotify Premium in the shop - it's only $14 a month." Here's why that's more expensive and risky than you think.
Spotify Says No
Spotify's own terms and conditions explicitly forbid using a personal subscription for commercial or public use. Even if you pay for a OneMusic licence separately, Spotify still hasn't given you permission to use their service commercially. A OneMusic licence covers the music rights, but it cannot override Spotify's terms of service. You're breaching your contract with Spotify.
It Costs You More
Because Spotify is a "personal digital music service" (not a commercial music supplier), OneMusic requires you to take their most expensive package. For retail, that's the Gold package. For hospitality, you also need the Digital Copy/Delivery add-on (+$471/yr). A commercial background music supplier like eJukebox puts you on a cheaper tier.
You're Still Not Legal
Even with a OneMusic licence, playing Spotify commercially is technically in breach of Spotify's terms. OneMusic's own documentation states:
"Even with our licence, the use of digital music (streaming) services by you in your business may be in breach of the terms and conditions of your end user agreement with that service."
You're paying more for a setup that still isn't properly legal.
Real Cost Comparisons
Let's compare what you'd actually pay going the Spotify route versus using eJukebox. These are based on real OneMusic rates from their official 2025-2026 pricing guides.
Scenario 1: Hair Salon
Small salon, 38 m² retail area
| Spotify Premium subscription | $168/yr |
| OneMusic Gold (1-50 m², required for personal streaming) | $642/yr |
| Total per year | $810/yr |
| Per month | $67.50/mo |
| eJukebox $1/day plan (Silver licence tier) | $365/yr |
| OneMusic Silver (1-50 m²) - paid separately | from $183/yr |
| Total per year | from $548/yr |
| Per month | $45.67/mo |
Scenario 2: Medium Retail Store
Fashion or homewares shop, 100 m² retail area
| Spotify Premium subscription | $168/yr |
| OneMusic Gold (51-150 m²) | $745/yr |
| Total per year | $913/yr |
| Per month | $76/mo |
| eJukebox $1/day plan (Silver licence tier) | $365/yr |
| OneMusic Silver (51-150 m²) - paid separately | from $287/yr |
| Total per year | from $652/yr |
| Per month | $54.33/mo |
Scenario 3: Small Pub
3 TV screens with sound, 1 music system, using Spotify
| Spotify Premium subscription | $168/yr |
| OneMusic Platinum (2-6 TV screens) | $1,413/yr |
| Digital Copy/Delivery (required for streaming) | $471/yr |
| Total per year | $2,052/yr |
| Per month | $171/mo |
| eJukebox Full Package (from $130/mo ex GST) | from $1,560/yr |
| OneMusic Platinum (2-6 TV screens) - paid separately | $1,413/yr |
| Digital Copy/Delivery | Not needed - $0 |
| Spotify subscription | Not needed - $0 |
| Total per year | from $2,973/yr |
| Per month | from $248/mo |
It Costs More - Here's Why It's Worth Every Cent
Yes, the Full Package costs around $2.52 more per day than the Spotify route. But consider: you're currently paying $639/yr on Spotify fees + Digital Copy/Delivery for a setup that's still not legal under Spotify's own terms. For that $2.52/day, you upgrade from a consumer music app to a professional entertainment system built for venues:
- Customer song requests from their smartphones - keeps punters engaged and staying longer
- Multi-zone audio - different music for bar, dining, and gaming areas
- Dayparting - quieter mornings, upbeat nights, automatic scheduling
- Broadcast-quality sound - consistent volume, no sudden loud or quiet tracks
- No ads, ever - uninterrupted music all day, every day
- Staff announcements - record on your phone, schedule between songs
- 24/7 monitoring & support - we keep it running so you don't have to
- 100% legal - no grey areas, no risk of your music being shut down
If just one extra customer per week stays for one more drink because they're enjoying the music and requesting songs, that extra revenue more than covers the difference.
On a Tight Budget? The $1/Day Plan Saves You Money
Our $1/Day plan ($365/yr) brings your total to just $1,778/yr - saving $274/yr vs Spotify - with broadcast-quality, ad-free, fully licensed background music. No customer song requests, but still beats Spotify on sound quality, legality, and price. A great starting point before upgrading to the Full Package.
Scenario 4: Large Pub
8 TV screens with sound, multiple music systems, using Spotify
| Spotify Premium subscription | $168/yr |
| OneMusic Diamond (7-9 TV screens) | $2,473/yr |
| Digital Copy/Delivery (required for streaming) | $471/yr |
| Total per year | $3,112/yr |
| Per month | $259/mo |
| eJukebox Full Package (from $170/mo ex GST) | from $2,040/yr |
| OneMusic Diamond (7-9 TV screens) - paid separately | $2,473/yr |
| Digital Copy/Delivery | Not needed - $0 |
| Spotify subscription | Not needed - $0 |
| Total per year | from $4,513/yr |
| Per month | from $376/mo |
It Costs More - Here's Why It's Worth Every Cent
The Full Package costs around $3.84 more per day than the Spotify route. But remember: you're comparing an illegal, consumer-grade music app against a professional entertainment platform built for large venues. You're already wasting $639/yr on Spotify + DCD fees for a setup that shouldn't even be used commercially.
For that $3.84/day, your venue gets:
- Customer song requests - interactive entertainment that keeps punters at the bar longer
- Multi-zone audio - different vibes for each area of your venue
- Dayparting - music adapts automatically throughout the day and week
- Broadcast-quality sound - professionally mixed, consistent volume across every song
- No ads, ever - uninterrupted music, always
- Staff announcements - schedule messages between songs from your phone
- 24/7 monitoring & support - we manage it, you run your pub
- 100% legal - complete peace of mind, zero compliance risk
A venue this size could easily recoup the difference with just 2-3 extra drinks per week from customers staying longer to enjoy the music and request their favourites.
On a Tight Budget? The $1/Day Plan Saves You Money
Our $1/Day plan ($365/yr) brings your total to just $2,838/yr - saving $274/yr vs Spotify - with broadcast-quality, ad-free, fully licensed background music. A great starting point before upgrading to the Full Package when you're ready.
Why eJukebox Saves You Money on Licensing
We're a Commercial Background Music Supplier
This is the key difference. Because eJukebox is a licensed commercial background music supplier (listed on backgroundmusicguide.com.au), your OneMusic requirements change in your favour:
- Retail: You qualify for the cheaper Silver ($1/Day plan) or Silver Lite (Full Package) tier instead of Gold
- Hospitality: You don't need Digital Copy/Delivery ($471/yr saved) because eJukebox is a commercial supplier
- Everyone: No Spotify subscription needed ($168/yr saved)
No Digital Copy/Delivery Fees
OneMusic's own guides say: "You do not need to include Digital Copy/Delivery in your licence if you are only playing music from a commercial background music supplier." That's eJukebox. That's $471 per year you don't have to pay.
Lower Licence Tier (Retail)
For retail businesses, our $1/Day plan puts you on the Silver tier and our Full Package puts you on Silver Lite - both significantly cheaper than the Gold package you'd need with Spotify. That's a saving of $459 or more per year for a small shop alone. For pubs and hospitality, the same hospitality tier applies regardless of music source, but you save by not needing the Digital Copy/Delivery add-on.
No Spotify Subscription Needed
You don't need to pay for Spotify Premium ($168/yr) on top of everything else. eJukebox replaces it entirely - and unlike Spotify, we're actually designed for commercial use.
We Collect Your OneMusic Fee For You
Don't want the hassle of dealing with OneMusic directly? We can collect your OneMusic licence fee on your behalf and send it straight to OneMusic for you. One less thing to worry about - we take care of it so you can focus on running your business.
Common Questions in Plain English
What if I just play the radio?
You still need a licence, but it's the cheapest option. Retail shops pay as little as $100/yr (Bronze). For pubs, it's $153/yr (Bronze) for a single radio and TV. Using a commercial background music supplier like eJukebox is a separate, slightly higher tier, but you get much better music.
What counts as a "TV Screen"?
Any screen showing free-to-air or pay TV (including Fox Sports) with sound. Screens that only show racing, betting, or Keno silently don't count. A video wall counts as just one screen.
What's a "Music System"?
Any device used to play music - including background music supplier systems (like eJukebox), audio jukeboxes, PCs, tablets, smartphones, CDs, or record players. If you play a radio station through an app like TuneIn, that counts as a Music System, not a radio.
My dining area plays different music - do I pay extra?
Yes, but only if your dining area has its own separate music source playing different music to the rest of the venue, and it seats at least 7 people. If the same music is heard throughout, there's no extra charge.
What about telephone on-hold music?
Yes, that needs a licence too. For hospitality venues with Gold package or above, up to 2 on-hold lines are included. For retail and service providers, it's a separate fee starting from $283/yr for 1-2 lines.
What about music on my website?
If you have background music on your business website, that's an extra $648/yr with OneMusic. There are restrictions: 10-15 different tracks, no more than one per artist, and visitors can't choose tracks.
The Bottom Line
By switching from Spotify to eJukebox, you avoid the expensive Gold/Digital Copy licensing tiers, you eliminate your Spotify subscription fee, and you get a service that's actually designed for business.
Unlike the Spotify route (where you're always in breach of their terms), eJukebox is a commercial music supplier designed for exactly this purpose. No grey areas, no risk.
Professionally curated playlists, consistent broadcast-quality volume, dayparting, no ads, family-friendly content, and optional customer song requests. It just sounds better.
Our most affordable plan starts at just $1 per day - that's $365 per year for fully licensed, broadcast-quality background music. Less than a dollar a day for complete peace of mind.
Official OneMusic Pricing Guides
Don't just take our word for it. You can download the official OneMusic Australia pricing guides yourself and see exactly what you'd be paying:
All pricing on this page is sourced from the official OneMusic Australia information guides. Prices are inclusive of GST and apply for the 2025-2026 licence period. Prices are subject to annual CPI adjustments. Visit onemusic.com.au for the latest information.
Supporting Music Creators
Music licensing isn't just about ticking a legal box. Last year, the organisations behind OneMusic paid royalties across more than 1.8 million songs and to more than 89,000 local Australian songwriters and recording artists. When you play licensed music in your business, you're directly supporting the people who created the soundtrack to your customers' experience. They've earned it.
Learn More at OneMusic Australia