What we do

WHO WE ARE

The Musicians’ Union of Australia is a membership based, not for profit association, formed by working musicians to represent and advance the interests of working musicians. The Union is run entirely on the funds paid by its members and receives no funding from Governments, or any other entity. Office bearers of the Musicians’ Union must be members of the Union and are elected by the membership. Hence, members can be assured that the Union will only ever act in the interests of its members.

ASSISTANCE

The Union can help members to understand, negotiate and create contracts, help resolve legal issues and can represent musicians in industrial law matters in the Federal Courts. In the event that a member requires legal assistance, the Committee of the member’s branch has the discretion to fund all or part of the associated costs of taking legal action.

ADVOCACY

There are many representative bodies that do important advocacy work in the music industry. However, it is important to understand that the Musicians’ Union is the only association that solely represents the interests of musicians. Whilst most of the industry’s representative bodies share similar ideas and goals for improving the industry it is also true that the interests of venues, musicians, agents, managers, promoters, composers, publishers, production crew, recording labels, recording distributers, music downloading services, music streaming services are also often conflicting. The Musicians’ Union does not claim to represent the interests of managers, agents, venues, publishers and record companies. We are proud to specialise in representing exclusively, the interests of musicians.

ADVICE

Members can contact their Branch Secretaries for advice on all matters to do with working as a musician including: income tax and ABN’s; contracts; copyright; insurance; dispute resolution; and legal matters.

WHAT WE DON'T DO FOR YOU

• Find you a manager/record deal/publisher/agent.
• Find you gigs. (From time to time we do get enquiries for specific types of musicians and we will direct these enquiries to our members who are suitable. However, do not join the Musicians’ Union if you are expecting to get job referrals from us. You will be disappointed.)
• Make you a star.

The Union's aims are to ensure that all professional musicians are paid fairly for their work and treated with the respect that all workers are entitled and deserve.