Music Licensing for Gyms: Do You Need APRA AMCOS and PPCA?

Walk into almost any gym in Australia and you will hear music playing. It might be a pump-up playlist over the PA system, a group fitness class running to curated tracks, or a PT streaming Spotify through a Bluetooth speaker. What most gym owners do not know is that playing that music — in any of those scenarios — requires a commercial music licence, and not just one.

Without the right licences, playing music at your gym is copyright infringement. The penalties can include substantial fines, legal proceedings, and a demand to pay backdated licence fees.

This article explains the two licences you need, what they cover, how much they cost, and what happens if you don't have them.

---

Why You Need a Music Licence at All

When you play music at your gym, you are performing it publicly — even if your members are the only ones listening. Under Australian copyright law (the Copyright Act 1968), playing music in a commercial setting without authorisation infringes the copyright of:

• The songwriters and music publishers who own the musical composition and lyrics
• The recording labels and artists who own the sound recording (the actual recorded track)

These are two separate copyright interests, which is why you need two separate licences.

The exemption that applies to home listening (where you pay for a personal streaming subscription) does not apply to a commercial business. Your personal Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube subscription explicitly prohibits commercial use in its terms of service. Gyms that believe their streaming subscription covers their business use are mistaken — and potentially already infringing.

---

APRA AMCOS — The Songwriter's Licence

APRA AMCOS (the Australasian Performing Right Association and the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) represents songwriters, composers, and music publishers. Their licence covers the right to publicly perform musical works and lyrics.

In practical terms: any time you play a song in your gym — over the PA, in a group fitness class, during a PT session — you are performing the underlying composition. This requires an APRA AMCOS licence.

What Does an APRA AMCOS Licence Cover?

• Background music played throughout the gym
• Music used in group fitness classes (Les Mills, F45 affiliate classes, custom classes, yoga, Pilates)
• Music played during PT sessions
• On-hold music if your phone system plays music to callers
• Music in videos played on in-gym screens (for the musical component)

What Does an APRA AMCOS Licence NOT Cover?

• The recorded performance of the music (that is covered by PPCA — see below)
• Music in pre-licensed programs where the provider has already obtained clearance (such as certain Les Mills affiliate arrangements — check your specific agreement)
• Live performances are covered under separate live music licensing

How Much Does APRA AMCOS Cost?

APRA AMCOS uses a fee schedule based on the type of business and use. For fitness centres, fees are typically calculated based on the number of members or the size of the premises.

Indicative annual fees range from a few hundred dollars for a small studio to several thousand for a larger multi-facility gym. The current fee schedule is published on the APRA AMCOS website (apraamcos.com.au). Fees are reviewed periodically.

Important: Group fitness classes that use music attract a different (typically higher) tariff than background music. If you run group fitness classes, make sure your licence covers that use.

---

PPCA — The Recording Licence

PPCA (the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia) represents record labels, music distributors, and performing artists. Their licence covers the right to publicly perform sound recordings — the actual recorded tracks.

While APRA AMCOS covers the underlying composition, PPCA covers the specific recording of that composition. A song you play in your gym involves both: the composition (APRA AMCOS) and the recorded track (PPCA).

What Does a PPCA Licence Cover?

• Playing recorded music over your gym's PA or speaker system
• Music played in group fitness classes
• Music in videos screened in your gym (for the recording component)
• Music played in your gym's common areas, changing rooms, or spa/wellness areas

What Is NOT Covered by PPCA?

• Live music performances (PPCA only covers recorded music)
• Broadcasts — playing a live radio station in your gym is covered differently under the Broadcasting Services Act (and is generally lower risk)
• Sound recordings that are not commercially released (custom-produced content with full rights clearance)

How Much Does PPCA Cost?

PPCA fees are separate from APRA AMCOS fees and are based on similar factors — type of use, number of members, and premises size.

Again, indicative annual fees can range from several hundred to a few thousand dollars for fitness businesses. Current fees are published at ppca.com.au.

---

What If You Use Streaming Services?

Many gyms play music via Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or similar streaming platforms. This does not replace the need for APRA AMCOS and PPCA licences. Here is why:

1. Consumer streaming licences are for personal use only. The terms of service for Spotify, Apple Music, and similar services explicitly prohibit use in a commercial setting. Playing Spotify in your gym violates your terms of service with Spotify, separately from any copyright issue.

2. Streaming does not grant public performance rights. Even if the streaming service has licensed the music for delivery to your device, that licence does not extend to you publicly performing (playing to others in a commercial setting) that music.

3. Spotify and Apple Music are not authorised commercial gym music providers. They do not collect or distribute APRA AMCOS or PPCA royalties for commercial uses. Gym owners who rely on consumer streaming services have no commercial licence in place.

Some services — such as Soundtrack Your Brand, Mood Media, and Rockbot — offer commercial music streaming specifically designed for business use. These services are licensed for commercial in-premises play and may include APRA AMCOS licensing in their subscription. However, you must still separately obtain a PPCA licence unless the service specifically states it is included.

Always check what exactly is included in any commercial music service subscription before assuming you are fully covered.

---

What About Music in Pre-Licensed Fitness Programs?

Some group fitness programs — particularly licensed formats like Les Mills (Body Pump, RPM, etc.) — include music licensing as part of the affiliate arrangement. If your gym is a licensed Les Mills affiliate, the music used in official Les Mills classes may be covered under their agreement.

However:

• This only covers those specific licensed programs
• It does not cover any other music you play in your gym
• It is worth confirming with your program provider in writing exactly what music rights are included in your licence

Do not assume your group fitness program licence covers all music at your gym.

---

What Happens If You Don't Have Licences?

Both APRA AMCOS and PPCA actively enforce their rights. They conduct site visits and investigations of gyms and fitness businesses, and have legal authority to pursue infringers.

If you are found to be playing music without a licence, you may face:

• Back-payment demands — APRA AMCOS and PPCA can demand payment of all licence fees that should have been paid for the period you were unlicensed
• Legal proceedings — copyright infringement is a civil wrong under the Copyright Act and can result in court action
• Damages and costs — courts can award additional damages for flagrant infringement, as well as legal costs

In practice, most enforcement starts with a demand letter and an opportunity to come into compliance. But the back-licensing fees alone can be significant for a gym that has been trading for several years without licences.

---

Getting Licensed: Step by Step

Getting compliant is straightforward.

Step 1: Assess your music use

List how music is used at your gym:

• Background music throughout the facility
• Group fitness classes
• Videos on screens
• PT sessions
• Other areas (café, reception, spa)

Step 2: Apply for an APRA AMCOS licence

Visit apraamcos.com.au and apply for the relevant licence for your business type. Select the "Fitness Centres and Gyms" category and follow the prompts to get a fee estimate and application.

Step 3: Apply for a PPCA licence

Visit ppca.com.au and apply for a PPCA licence for your business. The fee is calculated separately from APRA AMCOS.

Step 4: Review your music sources

Check that any commercial music streaming service you use is appropriately licensed for commercial in-premises use. If you are using personal streaming services, switch to a commercial option or rely on your APRA AMCOS and PPCA licences to cover your specific use.

Step 5: Keep records

Keep copies of your licence certificates and renewal dates. APRA AMCOS and PPCA licences are typically renewed annually.

---

Annual Renewals and Compliance

Both licences need to be renewed annually. A lapse in licensing — even briefly — can create a compliance gap. Set calendar reminders for renewal dates so you don't accidentally fall out of coverage.

If your business grows (you open a new location, add group fitness classes, or expand your member base), review your licensing to ensure it still covers your actual use. Licences are typically tiered based on activity levels, and growing your business without updating your licence may leave you underinsured.

---

How Reguladar Helps

Keeping track of annual licence renewals, alongside all your other compliance obligations (WHS inspections, Award updates, super deadlines), is difficult to manage without a system.

Reguladar's compliance dashboard helps fitness business owners track all their ongoing obligations — including commercial licensing renewal reminders — in one place.

Get your free compliance health check at Reguladar and see which licensing and compliance obligations apply to your gym.

---

This article is general information only. For specific advice on your licensing situation, contact APRA AMCOS or PPCA directly, or speak with a commercial lawyer.