Australasia’s music industry is celebrating record-breaking revenues; however, a pressing concern remains: local music is losing ground. APRA Amcos’s latest annual report captures the familiar “growth, but” dynamic—revenues are rising, yet challenges around AI regulation and declining domestic consumption continue to reshape the conversation in Australia and New Zealand.
Strong Financial Performance
APRA Amcos delivered gross revenue of $787.9 million, up 6.5% year-on-year. In addition, net distributable revenue climbed 7.8% to $683.4 million. Overseas earnings also reached a record $98.8 million, showing how Australasian songwriters and composers are making their mark globally. Nevertheless, the report warns that booming consumption across streaming and user-generated content platforms has not translated into stronger local representation. On streaming services, local content’s share dropped from 13.6% in FY21 to 9.5% in FY25—a 31% decline. Similarly, short-form video platforms show a slide, with local content falling from 6.7% to 5.0% between FY23 and FY25.
As a result, this decline sparked debate in Australia. Earlier this year, a parliamentary inquiry suggested requiring streaming services to recommend and playlist more local music. In response, Spotify countered with its “Turn Up AUS” initiative, promoting Australian artists while highlighting higher payouts to local creators. Meanwhile, New Zealand faces similar challenges, though Māori music consumption offers a rare bright spot.
Global Comparisons
Globally, the picture looks uneven. On one hand, non-Anglo countries such as France, Germany, and Spain are thriving with strong local artist performance. On the other hand, Anglo markets outside the U.S.—including Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand—are grappling with falling stream-share and heated policy debates. For example, Canada introduced a streaming levy, which digital service providers strongly opposed. Likewise, the UK industry worries about homegrown artists losing ground in charts and exports.
Ultimately, the APRA Amcos report makes one point clear: revenue growth alone cannot secure cultural sustainability. Therefore, policymakers, platforms, and creators must act to keep local voices strong in a globalized streaming landscape. Supporting domestic songwriters and composers is not just about economics—it also preserves identity, diversity, and the future of music in Australasia.
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