The Australian live music industry is facing skyrocketing insurance costs, putting many venues and festivals at risk. Since the lifting of pandemic restrictions, public liability insurance premiums have quadrupled for some operators.
For instance, an Adelaide pub’s premium jumped from $10,000 to $40,000 due to its live music offerings. The impact is so severe that several music festivals, including Splendour in the Grass, have either been canceled or postponed.
No Quick Fix in Sight

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has acknowledged that there’s no “silver bullet” solution to the problem. The rising costs are partly due to a global tightening of the insurance market.
Festival organizers like Doug Tapfield, founder of Dougstock, have also felt the strain, with insurance and risk management expenses becoming significant burdens.
The live music industry is pushing for government intervention, such as a government-backed insurance scheme, to help smaller festivals survive.
While the federal government has allocated some funding to support live music, more comprehensive measures are needed to address the insurance crisis. The National Cultural Policy Senate inquiry will explore long-term solutions, with a report due in March 2025.
Source abc.net.au