Originals band with recordings and merch

Fans buying tickets, merchandise and music, plus venues, festivals and promoters paying for shows.

Ticket and door income, merchandise sales, music sales and streaming royalties, and occasionally small grants or festival fees.

• Songwriting and recording
• Building an audience online and in person
• Basic budgeting for releases and tours

• Income is uneven and can take a long time to build, so keep costs low
• Agree who owns the songs and how royalties are split between members, in writing
• Check licensing rules for any cover songs or samples you release
• Check grant eligibility and timing with your state arts body
• An ABN is needed to invoice, and check when GST registration applies to you

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on recording and gear. Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $100 to $2,000, and income is uneven, so it's worth keeping costs low.

Agree in writing who owns the songs and how royalties are split between members. Check licensing rules for any cover songs or samples you release, and grant eligibility and timing with your state arts body. You need an ABN to invoice.

Income can take a long time to build. Estimates suggest at least about 8 hours a week. Skills that help include songwriting and recording, building an audience online and in person, and basic budgeting for releases and tours.