Musicians' Rights in South Australia

South Australia is unusual: it has a standalone government music office, and it was one of the first governments to back the national fair-pay benchmark. Adelaide is a UNESCO City of Music, and the support structure reflects that.

The state music office: the MDO

The Music Development Office (MDO) sits within CreateSA and is dedicated to the contemporary music industry. Its live music funding is framed around growing the sector and its jobs: "The South Australian Government's Live Music Events Fund was created to support live music events and festivals with the potential to grow into major tourist attractions."

Fair pay: the $250 minimum fee

The national benchmark for what you should be paid comes from Musicians Australia: "A minimum fee is a fee floor, for any musician, playing anywhere, for any audience." South Australia is one of the governments that has formally backed this benchmark: "Thanks to the collective work of our members, Musicians Australia has since received endorsement for the $250 minimum fee from the South Australian, Queensland, Western Australian, Victorian and Australian Capital Territory state/territory governments."

Legal help: contracts, disputes and your rights

For anything involving a contract, unpaid fees or a dispute, the Arts Law Centre of Australia is the first stop for most musicians. Their telephone advice service is free for eligible individual artists. Musicians Australia members can also get support chasing unpaid minimum fees.